Wild Against The World

There has been a lot of booing at the X lately, and frankly, I have never understood fans who boo their own team. It accomplishes absolutely nothing. Sure, you're letting them know you're unhappy with the way things are going, but you are not contributing to any changes in the outcome, except maybe making things worse. I've heard plenty of different arguments justifying the boos, and I've had issues with every single one of them:

''Every fanbase does it''

If all fanbases jumped off a bridge, would you do it too? Why would we want to be like other fanbases all of a sudden?

''I paid good money for my seat''

Well who twisted your arm and forced you to pay for that seat? No one? Huh. When paying for a seat at sporting events, you have to know going in that there's the potential of things not exactly going your way. It's kind of like putting money in a slot machine and nagging the casino worker when it doesn't pay off.

''We have every right to boo them''

I have every right to wear puke-green clothes. Doesn't mean it's a good idea and that I should do it.

I've never seen an entertainer get fired up after getting booed by his audience. Sure, you want to let them know you're not being entertained, but by booing constantly, you're not helping them entertain you.

''Player X isn't doing his job''

Again, you're absolutely not helping. Athletes are proud creatures, they know when they're not performing well, they don't need vocal crowds as reminders. Negativity decreases morale, low morale decreases effectiveness and adrenaline. It's not complicated. If players don't even have the support of their own fans, it's pretty hard for them to feel motivated.

''They're professionals''

They're still human.

''Boos fire them up''

They absolutely do not. Do you like being booed? Neither do they. There are two main reasons teams are better at home: No travel and being able to feed off of the home crowd's energy. Booing sure takes energy, but it's negative energy. The only team you're firing up when you boo your own guys is the opposing team, because they know that that part of the home-ice advantage has disappeared and the home team is deflated.

''The Wild didn't salute the fans after the game''

''I'm booing the opposing players to throw them off their game''

You can agree with me or not, but I've yet to see one compelling argument on the subject. You want things to be better? Well, don't be part of the problem. The worst time to add weight on someone's shoulders is when they're already struggling to climb the mountain.

So in conclusion, stop booing. It's pointless.