Diminishing Returns of Fan Riots

When fans riot, it gives a black eye to not only an entire fan base, but also an entire city. That’s unfair, but a fact.

As in the case with Vancouver and Canucks fans after a disappointing and devastating Game 7 loss in the Stanley Cup Finals.

Vancouver is a beautiful city, one of the best in North America. And I know first hand that the people of Vancouver are generally very nice and accommodating. And what was represented in the aftermath of the Game 7 loss should not reflect the city and Canucks fans in general.

But the truth of the mater is that it does and it will continue to.

Controlled rioting (if there is such a thing) can be a good thing. For freedom; against oppression; to stand up for civil rights and liberties. Not for losing a sports championship. (Not for winning one either.)

What does rioting after a sports event even prove? Nothing. But it does show something: stupidity and public intoxication never leads to good decisions.

Being in New York, I do not have any firsthand knowledge, but I bet the intoxication level of the rioters were pretty high. How many examples do we need that excessive alcohol and sports events do not mix? How many fights at games are a product of a little liquid courage?  While I would not mind seeing the elimination of alcohol at sports events altogether, I know that will never happen because that is a multi-billion dollar revenue stream for the industry. Something needs to be done to help fight this problem because it’s only going to get worse over time.

But alcohol is only one reason behind the pointless riots in Vancouver. A big part of it is stupidity mixed with emotional attachment to the team.

As fans, having an emotional attachment to your team is the whole point of being a fan. But as human beings - as healthy human beings - fans need to know when to draw the line before your elation or disappointment in your team wining or losing leads to lighting fires, flipping cars onto their roofs and throwing bricks through glass windows.

What are fans trying to prove by rioting like this? Nothing. They just look stupid.

I feel bad for the over 99% of Canucks fans that did not riot last night and that are trying to help law enforcement catch the idiots who did. But the truth of the matter, sports will now relate Vancouver Canucks fans to punk rioters.

Correction: It’s just not a black eye for Vancouver Canucks fans, the City of Vancouver, but sports fans in general.