Sports and Fan Rage

by Gerald L. Lacambra

Definition: More often today, sports figures are cursing at the fans and vice versa.

Website Summaries on Sports Rage

• Iverson and Fans Faceoff
• Coach Knight Grabs Own Player

In a recent basketball game, one of the NBA's most talented stars, All-star game MVP Allen Iverson, lost his composure. During the game, Iverson continually taunted the fans in Indiana. However, on this occasion, the fans did provoke Iverson's actions. According to ESPN journalist Dan Patrick, the Indiana fans called Iverson derogatory labels such as the "N-word" and "crackhead." "Iverson even asked the refs to do something about the idiots. When the officials did nothing, Iverson broke down and sunk to their level."

Tapes show that Coach Bobby Knight of the University of Indiana basketball team grabbed a player by the neck during a team practice. This controversy instigated a whirlwind of allegations against Coach Knights' teaching methods, ranging from cursing to whips to physical contact. The image of coach enraged, ultimately, cost Coach Knight his position at the university, despite many supporting testimonies by assistant coaches and current players.