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Should College Athletes Be Booed?

Ted Miller outlines a grim possibility for Opening Week.

California fans need to prepare for a distinct possibility that many will not embrace, one that will inspire slapped foreheads and furious and outraged typing across the Golden Bear Nation.

Nate Longshore could win the quarterback job over Kevin Riley.

So how will Bears fans handle that? Will the raucous booing Longshore faced walking off his home field in Sourberry Canyon in 2007 return the first time he hurls an ill-advised interception?

Not saying Longshore is definitely the man. There's still about a week to 10 days before a decision needs to be made as earnest preparations begin for the Aug. 30 opener against Michigan State.

But folks who've watched more than a handful of practices -- when pushed to make a call -- suspect it will be Longshore.

So it might be good for fans to prepare. Let us suggest Dale Carnegie's lesser-known classic, "How to Win Friends and Influence Quarterbacks."

I wrote a similar article earlier this year about it (you're stealing my columns Ted) and maintain a somewhat ambivalent stance on the issue. I don't like booing athletes, but I can imagine the hyped up students turning nasty and even some of the grayer Bears getting a little frustrated if Nate struggles. I doubt he will, but the possibility of more boos out of the gate is not at all remote.

I'm not going to influence the vote on the poll, but you can vote and leave your thoughts in the comments: Should college athletes be booed? If so, under what circumstances?

And separately, if Nate Longshore does start and has a below-average performance against the Spartans, what will be your reaction? And what do you think will be the general fan reaction?

Poll
Should fans of a college team boo their athletes?
Yes, we paid good money for our tickets and we didn't come to watch our team dog it.
2 votes
Yes, but only if the player exhibits staggering incompetence.
12 votes
Only if they wear the road uniform.
11 votes
No; they're not getting paid for busting their ass.
27 votes

52 votes | Poll has closed

The opinions expressed in a FanPost are not necessarily those of the California Golden Blogs or any of its authors. However, they are just as important as the opinions of any of the authors. And triply so as compared to TwistNHook!

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No way, unless they do something egregiously unsportsmanlike a la that ASU guy on the punt return a few years back.

by Spazzy Mcgee on Aug 13, 2008 7:04 PM PDT   0 recs

Was that the one against little Vinnie Strang? If so, yeah, I boo’d the crap outta that one! Other than that kind of dirty behavior, no, these kids (and they are kids) don’t deserve that treatment.

by SonofCalifornia on Aug 18, 2008 4:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Basically, I’ll boo the road team when they’re coming out onto the field or if they’re celebrating a score, or being jackasses at any point and thats about it. I’d say its justified to boo a team that seems to have just given up, but that happens so rarely that its almost not worth mentioning. Also, I always boo $C, but thats implied by being a member of this site I guess.

http://mymindgrapes.wordpress.com

by 408 on Aug 13, 2008 8:00 PM PDT   0 recs

The only thing that is implied by being a member of this site is also being a member of the “Nate Longshore Foot Massage Squadron.” That’s it, people! That’s it!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 13, 2008 8:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This is a good question.

I remember sitting in section Q last year and hearing Riley get booed in the 3rd quarter of the OSU game. Actually, he was playing quite well but with Cal being 5-0 and a little Jack Daniels in a barnocular can make the most loyal Cal fans somewhat obstreperous. I was pretty impressed with Riley at the time. One of the receiver commits said “Riley put on a show.”

Will I boo Longshore? Probably. I just don’t like him as a Cal player. The whole Jessica Simpson going pro his junior year thing was just too big headed for me. Ayoob, a fuckup’s fuckup if there ever was one, shows up at a game to visit with his old teammates—that’s really cool. But I think that no matter how much loyalty fans show him, Longshore’s already out of here, NFL or Arena2. By way of comparison, Marshawn loves his teammates. It shows.

Lastly, I went to Cal. We went to Cal. Cal was a tough, tough place. I belong to a Facebook group called I don’t need sex because UC Berkeley fucks me every day. I learned not to agree with everyone and to fight for every point all semester long. Sound familiar? I got sent to Tang from nervous exhaustion and someone puked in my EE 40 final from pressure. I still hate my Engineering SAO. Tough fucking school.

Golden Bears not golden boys.

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 13, 2008 8:11 PM PDT   0 recs

You shoulda majored in PoliSci.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 13, 2008 8:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Or, alternatively, stopped being such a pussy.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 13, 2008 8:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Or perhaps American Studies?

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 13, 2008 8:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I had a business class cross-listed with American Studies once. Never seen so many attractive women in my life! Also, Kyle Boller was in that class.

I should have majored in American Studies!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 13, 2008 8:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dude you are the same major as I.

EE40 final fucked me up so bad. I went from having an A- in the class to a B because I bombed the final. Fuck you EE40

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Aug 19, 2008 10:25 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh no! A B!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 19, 2008 10:40 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Consdering my GPA is pretty low that B doesn’t help :p

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Aug 19, 2008 11:24 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If you GPA was very low, wouldn’t that B help raise it up? Are you planning on going to grad school afterwards?

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 19, 2008 11:37 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Roy, you might seriously consider transferring to Civil. EE sucks as a career unless you like living in a small apartment in Fremont and working 60 hour weeks without a girlfriend.

EE40 was concentrated pain. My GSI said we covered what he covered in two and half semesters at the school he came from, Oregon State, and the competition is tougher.

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 19, 2008 12:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

EE40 gave me my lowest grade at Cal. it sure didn’t help that the professor was teaching her first class ever. ugh. i’m glad i never have to do that crap again.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Aug 19, 2008 1:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I actually totally dominated EE40. One of the easiest classes I’ve ever taken, if not the easiest.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 19, 2008 1:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You would have squealed like a stuck pig in EE40. You’d have cried for your momma when we got to the first third of the EE105 material in the last four weeks of class. You’d have shit in your pants at the EE40 final. And you’d have been a quivering puddle of gelatinous goo when you got your grade. You’d have a better chance lining up across from Alex Mack than to mess with EE40.

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 19, 2008 2:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh, did I say EE40? I meant nothing. I totally dominated nothing.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 19, 2008 2:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Did it happen to be Chang-Hasian?

Or however you spell it? She was considered the worst by many who took the class before me. However the semester I took it in (Spring 08) this other guy taught us. He was ok.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Aug 19, 2008 3:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

nah, i don't remember her name

some white chick. i took the class in Spring of ‘02. that’s all i remember from that debacle.

oh, and the parts for my CalBot kept breaking. very annoying.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Aug 19, 2008 3:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

CalBot?

Damn you took the class 6 years before I.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Aug 19, 2008 5:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm doing EE because it's required

My strength is in CS. I love CS

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Aug 19, 2008 3:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I feel more strongly about this issue

than I do about who starts at QB. First of all, Jeff Tedford is god. And if God thinks that Nate Longshore should start, so be it. I trust Tedford 100%, and if he feels that for whatever reason Nate can help us more than Kevin, that must be true. Secondly, even if Tedford were to be mistaken in who he chooses, Longshore should never, ever deserve to get booed. College athletes are there to develop, to prove themselves, and get themselves to the next level. Do you honestly think that Longshore doesn’t know that he did anything wrong when he throws a pick six in the fourth quarter on national television? Booing Longshore is unnecessary and ridiculous. In the NFL, however, the men get paid to do a job. And people pay to watch them. And most importantly, they are grown men, not college kids. So it is very appropriate for a Raider fan to voice his displeasure with the team, but for a Golden Bear fan, it is useless and rude. And as for booing the visiting team, that’s fine. I booed John David Booty and all of the USC players because of the rivalry and the tradition, not because I dislike them as people or football players. But bottom line- NEVER EVER boo a college player on his home field for making a mistake. EVER.

by RollOnYouBears667 on Aug 13, 2008 9:15 PM PDT   0 recs

If only the student section had such class. I always get pissed off at the people around me booing.

by sec119 on Aug 13, 2008 9:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't even trust god 100%

You are correct that he doesn’t need to get hassled by the people there to support him, and he better damn well know that he did wrong. The problem is that if I boo the situation, or the coaches, it’s not exactly a complicated statement on the pros and cons of the situation (that’s what the CGB is for).
It pretty much sounds like this:

So I can’t express my displeasure to the coaches in the situation or release pent up frustration without causing unneeded stress onto fragile players. Lets just not.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

I will say this, there can’t be that much change that happens from the 21 year-old, just barely getting into bars, on the Cal field and the 22 year-old, living alone without the DC for the first time, on the pros field.

by AndBears on Aug 14, 2008 11:30 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

uh, some placement issues happened when wysiwyg deleted some of my formatting… you can imagine it moved properly.

by AndBears on Aug 14, 2008 11:32 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, I can’t imagine that. I suck at imagining.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 14, 2008 11:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If you boo your own guys...

...then you are an asshole. Groaning, exhaling, staying home, these are natural and reasonable reactions to sloppy play. Booing is being an asshole. Don’t be an asshole.

by zoonews on Aug 13, 2008 9:30 PM PDT   0 recs

This is actually the best argument I’ve heard. In fact it is the only good argument I’ve ever heard.

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 13, 2008 9:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The only good argument you’ve EVER heard?!??! Wow, you must have heard some terrible arguments throughout your life.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 14, 2008 6:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He does read your comments and posts on a daily basis.

I kissed Dumpster Muffin and I liked it. The taste of her hippie chapped lips.

by Maharg on Aug 14, 2008 8:34 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nailed It!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 14, 2008 11:17 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dude, you totally nailed that Nailed It!.

You’re throwing rocks tonight!

I kissed Dumpster Muffin and I liked it. The taste of her hippie chapped lips.

by Maharg on Aug 14, 2008 11:35 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It’s noon. How drunk are you?

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 14, 2008 12:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Drunk enough to mock you in the nothing.

And it’s a Lebowski reference out of context. I hate you.

I kissed Dumpster Muffin and I liked it. The taste of her hippie chapped lips.

by Maharg on Aug 14, 2008 12:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I haven’t seen that movie in like 8 years. I’ve heard it’s good, though.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 14, 2008 1:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I hate you so so much. Where’s CBKWit, and why won’t he provide witty banter, rendering you obsolete.

I kissed Dumpster Muffin and I liked it. The taste of her hippie chapped lips.

by Maharg on Aug 14, 2008 1:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

well

I didn’t boo the team in 2001, although we did come up with a host of mocking chants. If only I can put these in bullet point form, with the trigger for each chant in parentheses:

- Fourth and 10, try it again (3 straight Boller incompletions)
- Not a touchdown (any long gain given up by the defense that did not result in a touchdown)
- Not a fumble (any sack of Boller that did not also result in a fumble)
- Fire Holmoe (any of the above)

I'm still wondering why the Nets didn't draft Leon Powe.

by yellow fever on Aug 13, 2008 9:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

best mocking chant ever

Kick the field goal now! (on 1st and goal)

by classof87 on Aug 14, 2008 1:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

oooo

i like that. i hope i never ever ever ever have to break it out.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Aug 14, 2008 3:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Michigan State line

is down to 5.5 points on BetUS.

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 13, 2008 10:04 PM PDT   0 recs

Longshore will start

Get used to it.

Neither he nor Riley will clearly outplay the other in practice and JT will give the nod to experience. But JT also talks about “taking the first snaps”. That sounds like no “starter” will be named until someone earns it on the field. So I expect to see Nate play the 1st half and Riley to play the 2nd, unless Nate pulls a Riley AFB.

by OskiMonsta on Aug 14, 2008 6:27 AM PDT   0 recs

he did the same thing in 2003

Aaron Rodgers eventually beat out Reggie Robertson, but it took a few games.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Aug 14, 2008 8:24 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It won’t be by halves, it will be by quarters as it was in the AF Bowl.

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 14, 2008 9:35 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Booing serves no purpose. Why do people boo? Because they want to voice their displeasure with X or Y. But it’s not like the players or coaches don’t know that the fans are displeased if the team is losing or if X player dropped the ball or whatever. Booing has no positive effect, only negative. There is nothing more disheartening to players when their own fans turn against them.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Aug 14, 2008 8:02 PM PDT   0 recs

Boo this man!! Boo HydroTech!!

I feel much better now.

I kissed Dumpster Muffin and I liked it. The taste of her hippie chapped lips.

by Maharg on Aug 14, 2008 8:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Boo this mann! Boo Maharg!

I feel less full of self-loathing now.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 14, 2008 8:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Twisted is doing a really good job. Yah Twisted. Go Twisted.

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 14, 2008 8:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ok, now I’m really full of self-loathing!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 14, 2008 8:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Boo Twist!!

I kissed Dumpster Muffin and I liked it. The taste of her hippie chapped lips.

by Maharg on Aug 14, 2008 8:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Clearly, I’m not the only person to loathe me.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 14, 2008 8:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hooray Twist!

I kissed Dumpster Muffin and I liked it. The taste of her hippie chapped lips.

by Maharg on Aug 14, 2008 8:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Booing only shows the measure of our displeasure, but no alum goes to a Cal game to boo our team. When we boo, it is because we’re frustrated, unhappy. It also means we’re paying attention, we’re demanding and we’re there.

It doesn’t mean we’re turning against them. That’s just a ridiculous strawman. If we were turning against them, we’d be cheering the other team. It’s just natural frustration, plain and simple. Milan opera fans throw their shoes.

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 14, 2008 8:30 PM PDT   0 recs

Don’t tell me you threw your shoes at Nate Longshore. You did, didn’t you.

You so crazy, Olsonist!

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 14, 2008 8:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Who throws a shoe?

I kissed Dumpster Muffin and I liked it. The taste of her hippie chapped lips.

by Maharg on Aug 14, 2008 8:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

There is nothing more disheartening to players when their own fans turn against them.

Actually, more disheartening than booing is empty seats. By far.

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 14, 2008 8:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Are you having an argument with yourself?

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 14, 2008 8:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 14, 2008 9:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Some Cal fans did turn on our players. Perhaps you didn’t hear some Cal fans telling Longshore “fuck you” or “I hope you get injured” or “you suck, get off the field” etc. I’m glad you’re not one of those people, Olsonist, but the fact is that some Cal fans did turn on the players.

www.californiagoldenblogs.com

by HydroTech on Aug 14, 2008 9:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, I never turned on the players. Ever. It wasn’t until U$C and Stanfurd that I really turned on Longshore. But the players, hello no. And as I’ve said, I remember people booing Riley in the 3rd against OSU.

I think a lot of Cal fans got drunk with 5-0 and #2 in the polls. Light headed. Unrealistic. On the plus side, the fan support was scary. My ears hurt up in Section Q during the OSU game when OSU was on the goal line. It just have been painful down on the field.

The bad with the good. Anything beats indifference or, worse still, absence.

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 14, 2008 9:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh Twisted, could you be a dear and ask those nice people at SBN for edit privileges? Fucking right now!

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 14, 2008 9:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I've already said this but...

During the Stanford game there was a huge chant of “Riley Riley” whenever Longshore took a snap even by the old bears. Considering that I was near the field I saw Tedford look at us and shake his head and then Longshore look at us unmistakeably very sad.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Aug 19, 2008 10:29 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I remember people cheering Longshore when he took a hard hit and laid on the ground. Saying, basically, stay down stay down, let Riley come in. Some drunk fools behind me were yelling things like “I dont want Longshore to get hurt, but maybe if he could like tear an ACL or something.” So insane.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 19, 2008 10:40 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Never boo at a college player unless they are true assholes

If you go on the road and stick your flag into the opponent’s logo you deserved to be booed. If you crush a player in a punt return before he even gets the ball, you deserved to be booed.

Otherwise no.

However I think it’s fine to express disappointment at the situation of the team by saying “Fuck”, sighing, etc. But not the players.

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Aug 19, 2008 10:31 AM PDT   0 recs

So, on the topic...

The idea of Longshore getting booed is bringing back bad memories. Two instances, two quarterbacks, one game…

USC at home in 2005 and 2007. I don’t think I’ve seen such vitriol as I have seen directed towards Longshore at the 2007 USC game. I think fans were just coming to terms with the idea that our season was officially down the drain after three consecutive losses. And the fact that it was cold and raining didn’t make it any better. Bitterness.

Well, except for USC 2005. I think that was the first time I felt genuinely sorry for Ayoob. Every pass was booed.

So, in short, no, never boo a college athlete, especially your own. It will only make them worse.

by Rishi on Aug 20, 2008 2:00 PM PDT   0 recs

I want to know if Twisted is going to boo Riley. He hasn’t said that he won’t.

Stanfurd Delendum Est.

by Olsonist on Aug 20, 2008 8:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes. Yes, I will boo Kevin Riley.

"Save The Oaks: Overthrow Capitalism" said Dumpster Muffin sanguinely

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Aug 20, 2008 9:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

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