This is my formal apology to any who participated in the silent protest in a recent Utah State game.
In my previous post I employed no restraint as I criticized Aggie basketball fans. I went so far as to call them "classless" and their actions "ridiculous." My words were premature and founded on a single article, cited in the scathing post. Any who took offense at my article were victims of my failure to further investigate the incident. I am sorry.
The Salt Lake Tribune article specifically stated that the three minutes of silence came because the students were "angered by a formal letter of apology from USU President Stan Albrecht." It has been brought to my attention that the silence came about for a different reason.
I was misled by the Tribune.
The Herald Journal was cited on ESPN.com as saying that "Utah State students remained silent during the first three minutes of the game in protest of an usher [who] had told them before the game that cursing and pointing at opposing players was not allowed (emphasis added)."
That changes everything.
What would sports be without trash-talk, yelling, or taunting? Sports can be an outlet for what can't be done elsewhere. While tackling someone to the ground accompanied by a triumphant chest-slap is perfectly acceptable in a football game, doing so in a Dick's Market bread aisle would merit some jail time. Imagine boxing someone out for a position at the drinking fountain. Without this outlet for both players and fans, the world would be a much crueler and violent place.
As it turns out, it was an usher who prompted the silent protest. And, admittedly, I probably would have participated. Although I still think that Aggies went too far with Brandon Davies, I agree that sports would not be the same without passionate fans who do whatever they can to help their teams win. That's why home-court advantage is so vital. All courts are the same: 94 x 50 ft, 10 ft high rims, and 15 ft free throw lines. The key difference is the atmosphere created by the fans.
Aggies, I beg your forgiveness. Please understand that I was misled by the Salt Lake Tribune. I should have researched first through ESPN, the source of everything sports.
1 comment:
i SWEAR i already commented on this. and it was a dang good comment too! and i can't remember all the awesome things i said.
so i'll just paraphrase the best i can:
major props to you for admitting your mistake and retracting your statement.
and i understand and can relate with your frustration in the first post.
the end.
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