Philadelphia Sports and Our Fans

Now that the Flyers are back on the road, and game three is in the rear-view, I can say this- that was a real embarrassment. The play was pathetic on the ice, but that does not excuse the behavior in the stands. The bracelets handed out to commemorate Ed Snider's life were handed out to a proud fanbase, and to particularly great fans, the type that spend their hard earned money to go to a playoff game (which usually costs more). The idea was not for those bracelets to be tossed onto the ice, or for anything else to be tossed onto the ice. It was not a high point for Philadelphia fans.

The other side of that coin isn't so sweet either. Bryce Harper ripped those Washington fans last September for leaving in the 7th inning of a close game with the Mets during a pennant race. I've seen Cardinals fans clap for a closer who just blew a save. On the other side, fans in LA and Dallas have violently attacked fans outside the stadium from opposing cities.

Philadelphia fans are passionate, which is what makes them great. They aren't pathetically happy, or any more consistently violent than any other city. They are loud, they are tough, and they are there- a big deal compared to some fan bases. Game three might have been ugly, and the fans didn't behave as planned, but the harm was minor. Very minor when compared to the greatness that is Philadelphia fandom.