Warren Watson
First Thoughts
March 20, 2008

Mean-spirited fans

Even in a nation where free speech is embraced as an ideal, it's difficult to accept the contention of some mean-spirited sports fans that their taunts, rants and obscenities at games are a form of free expression protected by the First Amendment.

From college hockey games at the University of Maine to Big Ten basketball in Champaign-Urbana, to Pac-10 hoops at the University of Oregon, fans continue to cross the line of civility as they shout expletives at opposing players and even throw food at the families of opposing players.

On the eve of the NCAA Basketball Tournament, USA Today, the nation's largest newspaper, checked in on the topic the other day, suggesting that some students -- particularly those at Illinois and Oregon, had gone too far in their excessive school spirit.

North Central's Eric Gordon, Indiana University's star player who had once contemplated attending Illinois and had made a verbal commitment to go across the state line to play, bore the brunt of fan abuse last month when playing his first away game in Champaign-Urbana. Fans rode him constantly, shouting vulgarities and even reportedly throwing food at his mother in the stands.

The newspaper said a reasoned approach to the problem -- warnings to fans, possible barring from games, maybe even a home-team forfeit -- might defuse the situations.

I applaud that spirit. I would hate to see schools have to take out the masking tape and apply it to the mouths of fans.

But this should not be a First Amendment issue. It's one of simple civility.