Totally Reasonable Sports Actions That Annoy Fans Anyway
It's completely reasonable for an athlete to refuse to take a pay cut or for a sports fan to jump on the proverbial bandwagon.
That's right.
In general, sports fans are passionate people, and that's a good thing. However, that passion can also lead to a level of annoyance bordering on irrational in response to actions that are quite understandable.
Certain actions taken by players, coaches and even other fans fall into this category. Players look out for their livelihoods; fans just want to enjoy the entertainment that is the world of sports. Neither is a crime.
And while all fans are entitled to their opinions—perhaps some will take this opportunity to examine a different perspective. Minor irritation is no big deal (Hack-a-Shaq is annoying) but the danger lies in fans becoming downright enraged over something like a bat flip.
Not convinced fans are actually annoyed by each of the following 10 actions? I'm glad you brought it up—a sample tweet is included for each.
Understanding people, pass it on.
Friendships with Opponents
1 of 10
NBA stars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade met before either was drafted back in 2003. They were teammates on Team USA, and they later won two championships together with the Miami Heat.
It's reasonable that two athletes from opposite teams would be friends. And yet, not everyone appreciates it. In May, Pablo S. Torre wrote about the James-Wade friendship for ESPN.com and how some, particularly 1980s-era players and coaches, don't believe in frenemies.
Per Torre, Cleveland Cavaliers forward James Jones said, "For a lot of people, it's hard to comprehend how you could be friendly and outgoing and still be a fierce competitor."
In 2014, Wade took a pay cut to provide the Heat with the flexibility to re-sign James, but James ultimately returned to Cleveland. Per Torre, Wade's wife Gabrielle Union said: "It was annoying how that was spun. You lost out financially: Are you pissed? Did he abandon you for greener pastures with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love? The actual fact is, his friend wanted to go home."
Annoyed Tweet
@kareemrom33: "I'm like Pat Riley, I can't stand seeing Wade and Lebron all buddy-buddy it's annoying."
Not Jumping to Take a Pay Cut
2 of 10
It's easy to forget professional athletes are employees, and just like in the "real world," individuals have a right to negotiate for the compensation they want and feel is deserved.
Sure, Dwyane Wade took a pay cut so the Big Three could form with the Miami Heat in 2010, but that doesn't mean every athlete should be expected to do the same.
Kobe Bryant famously refused to take less money with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2013. In 2016, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick went back and forth regarding a pay cut that would have paved the way for a trade to the Denver Broncos.
Sure, these decisions might not have been popular with all fans, but they were not unreasonable. Contract situations are complicated and individually unique, and it's reasonable for an individual to look out for No. 1, even if fans don't agree.
Annoyed Tweet
@AdrianFarruggia: "The Colon Kaepernick situation is really starting to annoy me. If you don't want to take a pay cut to play with a contender, on to the next."
Celebrating
3 of 10
Scoring a touchdown, draining a crazy three ball, netting a huge goal—all reasonable predecessors for sports celebrations.
To be fair, not all fans are annoyed by celebrations, but the fact that even some are irritated by a reasonable expression of joy is a bit sad. Excessive taunting is one thing, but merely basking in one's own achievement temporarily is entirely understandable.
And yet, sports fans criticized Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton for his flashy TD dances. One woman even wrote him a disparaging open letter, published in the Charlotte Observer.
Some folks are annoyed by basketball-bench celebrations, and others are not. They were all the rage during March Madness.
Many laud the rise of the bat flip, but retired MLB Hall of Famer Goose Gossage called Toronto Blue Jays slugger and others who flip their bats a "disgrace to the game," per Andrew Marchand of ESPN.com.
Annoyed Tweet
@treyjyert: "I've said it once and I'll say it again, basketball benches are the most annoying thing in sports. Does EVERY shot warrant a freak out?"
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Hack-a-Shaq
4 of 10
Is the Hack-a-Shaq strategy annoying? You bet! Wait, er, it might be for some people. That said, as long as it is allowed within the rules, it is a reasonable thing for coaches to do.
Take it from Gregg Popovich. The San Antonio Spurs coach said, per Michael C. Wright of ESPN.com:
"I hate it. It's ugly, but I'm gonna do it. You don't want me to do it anymore? Learn how to shoot a free throw. I don't think about it much other than I hate the look of it. It just seems like it's wrong. In your gut, you know that there's no place for it. But on the other hand, you're competing, and you take advantage of things: weaknesses of the other team.
"
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver realizes fans don't appreciate the intentional fouling of poor free-throw shooters, however, and has said the league will seek to decrease or eliminate the practice, according to ESPN (via SI.com).
The same logic applies to things like intentional walks and defensive shifts in baseball. As long as these things aren't illegal and could conceivably result in a competitive advantage, they are reasonable strategies for coaches to employ.
Annoyed Tweet
@MarcusFirme: "The worst things in the NBA are replay reviews and hack a shaq."
Making a Mistake
5 of 10
Professional athletes are elite. They are paid large financial sums to perform their crafts at an astronomical level. And yet, they are also human.
They will make mistakes at their jobs just like most folks will and do. They will miss shots, shank field goals and just generally fall short of perfection on occasion. As fans, it's OK to feel frustration, but anger or extreme annoyance toward the player is unreasonable.
Chris Webber accidentally called a timeout. Blair Walsh missed a field goal. Pete Carroll probably made the wrong play call at the end of Super Bowl XLIX. Jordan Spieth had a couple of bad holes at the Masters and still finished second.
Hall of Fame NHL goalie Jacques Plante famously said, "How would you like it in your job if every time you made a small mistake, a red light went on over your desk and 15,000 people stood up and yelled at you?" per John MacKinnon of the Edmonton Journal.
Preach.
For what it's worth, Walsh scored all nine of the Minnesota Vikings' points in that playoff game where he whiffed the potential game-winning field goal. And yet…
Annoyed Tweet
@_erndizzle: "Can't believe blair walsh is still on the Vikings roster.."
Rooting for 'Bandwagon Teams'
6 of 10
Often, when a sports teams starts to win games at an uncharacteristic rate, new fans sprout up from the woodwork.
If these new fans claim to be "diehard," sure, that could be seen as disrespectful to actual diehard fans—i.e., season-ticket holders, loyal tailgaters, etc.
And yet, if new fans simply appreciate a fun team like the Golden State Warriors or Chicago Cubs, why is that wrong? If anything, "real" sports lovers are likely to appreciate Stephen Curry's 402 three-pointers or Jake Arrieta's sub-2.00 ERA.
When Warriors supporters turned out in droves for a January game in Sacramento, Kings forward Rudy Gay expressed his frustration, saying, "I guess the Warriors fans in Sacramento are riding the bandwagon just like everyone else," per Kurt Helin of NBC Sports.
Meanwhile, Kevin Trahan of The Comeback wrote, "If you're a lifelong fan, you should welcome bandwagoners to make the ride that much more exciting."
As long as new fans are upfront about their status as such, there doesn't seem to be any reason for annoyance.
Annoyed Tweet
@HFSCleveland: "Here's a fun game: If you run into a bandwagon Warriors fan over the next 2 weeks, ask them what city they play in. 80% will say 'Golden St.'"
Not Acting Like a Media Darling
7 of 10
Yes, in many sports, media appearances are contractual obligations. Still, does anyone else feel like in-game coaches interviews are overkill?
It's not entirely surprising someone like former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch would refuse to adhere to all the many media requirements—particularly when he, and others, are able to connect with fans directly through social media.
Likewise, there were those who were quick to judge Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton for his boo-hoo demeanor after losing Super Bowl 50, but context makes it understandable.
First, he lost, which is not something most people enjoy. Second, according to David Newton of ESPN.com, Denver Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. was answering questions about his victory within Newton's earshot.
Annoyed Tweet
@ChristianReute6: "I saw cam Newton's press conference.. he's a 26-year-old baby with absolute no class what a chump !"
Sitting out the Olympics
8 of 10
Is it disappointing American fans won't see Chris Paul or Stephen Curry on Team USA basketball? Of course it is—but are their decisions to sit this one out understandable? Yes.
Paul, for example, wants to save himself physically. The Los Angeles Clippers guard said, "I feel my body telling me that I could use the time," per Lee Jenkins of SI.com.
Yes, it's a great honor to represent one's country at the Olympic Games, but in most cases, there are many factors to consider.
New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis chose to postpone his participation with the Latvian team in order to focus on NBA development.
Per Ian Begley of ESPN.com, he said, "My heart is saying you should go and play for your country, you should represent your country. At the same time, with my head, I'm understanding this is a big offseason for me and I really want to work individually."
Golfer Rory McIlroy said in May he would consider forgoing the Games in Rio due to concerns over the Zika virus.
Annoyed Tweet
@LynsieLee: "can we talk about how STEPH CURRY IS UNAMERICAN"
Cockiness
9 of 10
Why is it that some athletes' extreme confidence is lauded—e.g., Michael Jordan, Muhammad Ali—while in other cases, it's criticized?
Unscientifically speaking, very few elite athletes got to where they are without fierce competitive drive and confidence in their skills.
According to Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr, it’s Stephen Curry's confidence that allows him to perform at an MVP level.
Tanner Chauncey, a longtime friend of Washington Nationals slugger Bryce Harper, told Tim Keown of ESPN.com, "A lot of people look at his attitude as negative, that he's cocky or arrogant. Douche—that's the word I hear a lot. Is he a douche? No, he's not. They say, 'Well, he kind of acts like one.' I always answer: 'Why, because he's good and he shows it?'"
If a player can back up his cockiness and/or confidence, why shouldn't he show it?
McKeown also wrote of Harper, "Why pretend? Is false modesty any less distasteful than outward self-assurance?"
Annoyed Tweet
@manderzzz91: "I wouldn't mind Bryce Harper as much if he wasn't such a cocky SOB."
Signing with a Rival
10 of 10
It's perfectly understandable to feel annoyed when a player signs with a rival team in free agency—from Boston Red Sox to New York Yankees, or from the Green Bay Packers to Chicago Bears, for instance.
And yet, sometimes it's just the right move for the player. Fans in St. Louis booed former Cardinals outfielder Jason Heyward in April because he signed with the rival Chicago Cubs in the offseason.
Green Bay Packers linebacker Julius Peppers opted to join Aaron Rodgers and Co. when the Chicago Bears released him in 2014.
Many Boston fans took years for forgive former outfielder Johnny Damon for signing with New York in 2005, even though the Yankees outbid their rivals pretty significantly.
Sports fans are passionate—it's one of their best qualities—but for most of them, sports are a hobby. For the athletes, sports are a livelihood. Fans complain of betrayal, but how many of them would make a major career decision based on sports-team allegiances?
Annoyed Tweet
@T_bones24: "Makes me sick to my stomach #peppers would sign w/the packers no loyalty. Yes the bears cut him but he could've been loyal & signed w/Tampa."
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
