The defamation suit filed by Roger Clemens against Brian McNamee has resulted in some unintended consequences for the Rocket. Lots of allegations against him regarding his personal life (which his suit claimed pointed to his sterling character). You could see this coming, but it is still sad whether the allegations are true or not. Roger issued a Giambi-like apology while denying the allegations. My, that was helpful. Either he has the worst lawyer ever, or he is the worst client ever. This rivals the Seinfeld episodes with Kramer’s fast-talking lawyer to whom he never listened.
But another story caught my eye. It took place in Nashua, NH. This would be the small New England city in which I grew up. It involved fans of the Red Sox and a Yankees fan. And what unfolded was a pathetic testimony to how some people take this thing way too seriously.
I am an avid Red Sox fan. I’ll admit I’ve had a few lively dialogues while attending games in Tampa (actually the Rays play in St. Pete which is an additional 45 minutes away). Mostly that was challenging outrageous claims on omniscience on the part of Rays fans. I once asked a guy if he was God since he seemed to know so much about the motivation of a man he never met.
The Yankees are our “arch enemy”. I saw some ugly events as a child in Fenway sitting in the right field seats in the late 70’s. Reggie Jackson was verbally abused continuously. Yankees’ fans were also attacked verbally and with beverages. I do not condone any of those actions, but detest them. Some of my best friends are Yankees’ fans. We have a playful rivalry, not one that is life and death. I’ve even watched them play one another, in the playoffs, with some of my Yankee fan friends.
But, in Nashua things got ugly after a fist fight between 2 women (what are we coming to?). One stomped off to her car and the crowd noticed the Yankees’ bumper sticker. The taunts began. [for the record, you may not like the Yankees, but they certainly do not stink or any related term.] She responded by driving straight for the crowd. Admittedly she had been drinking and her decision-making process somewhat impaired. Theirs undoubtedly was too. For she thought they’d move; and they thought she’d stop. But she ran into the crowd killing a man.
Sports is no reason to kill a person. Yet this happens all over the world, not just in Nashua, NH. We will never be able to coexist as long as we gain our identity in someone or something other than Christ. We will protect our idols, even if we have to kill. This, folks, is who we are- all too often.
Cavman Considers 
What an awful thing! I’m sure the fact that the woman was drinking was a great part of why it happened (greatly impaired judgment, assuming the people would move), but there had to be a great deal of anger, too, on both sides. Just goes to show how teasing and rivalry can quickly get WAY out of hand.
How very sad… A man’s life is lost, his family and friends grieve, and that woman will spend the rest of her life regretting her actions.
And then there is Celtics and Knick fans back in the 70’s
Pats and Jets which has resulted in Parcells, Belicheck, Spy Gate …
Hey, remember when Michael big mouth, egotistical Irvin was seriously injured in a game at Phllly? He lay on the turf; it became apparent he really was seriously injured and the fans actually cheered!
Those same Eagles fans also one year while the Eagles were struggling apparently took it out on Santa Claus, throwing things and booing Santa!
Wish I could say Skins fans were not as bad, but they have their skeletons in the closet as well. I was sitting in old RFK during the 83 season. The Skins were 13-2, had just walloped Dallas in Big D the previous Sunday 31-10. Both teams had entered 12-2. Skins had Manley and Mann as DE, Butz, Grant as DT, Green as CB, Gibbs as Coach, Riggins as RB, Monk as WR, the Hogs and Joey Theismann as QB. Well Theismann got nailed in the first half, was a little woozy, threw 3 INT and they booed him tremendously. I sat there thinking he got us a Super Bowl last season and we are 13-2, just wrapped up home field for the playoffs and we are booing this guy? Skins came back to win in 2nd half, finish 14-2, crushed the Rams in playoff, then Defeated 49ers in NFC Championship, before losing to Raiders in SB XVIII.
The dark side of sports….
Just saw the final score.
Celts must have really taken it to Lebron and the Cavs tonight.
The Cavs played a great 1st quarter- very aggressive. The Celtic starters seemed listless. But the bench players came back and gave the Celtics a lead heading into the half. In the 3rd the Celtics just plain dominated the Cavs. The defense has been suffocating. Now if we can just win at least one in Cleveland and get this over with.