Earlier this week, I wrote how I strongly disagree with Mike London’s frequent decision to kneel the football as the second quarter winds down, despite having the clock and timeouts necessary to run a few more plays.
I’ve typically express that disagreement by booing at Scott Stadium. But I may have been wrong.
I don’t regret expressing my disagreement with London’s game-management decisions, but booing doesn’t help anything. I could have the most technical reason in the world for my boos, but when it reaches the players’ and coaches’ ears, none of that is translated. All it does is show the team that fans aren’t supportive.
The Cavaliers currently have a fan support problem, and I hate to admit that I’ve been contributing to it. We all wish the team was playing better — fans, players and coaches alike. The least we can do is foster a home environment that encourages that shared goal. That means cheering when the team does well and staying until the end of home games if you choose to show up in the first place.
And it most definitely means ending disrespectful attacks on Twitter, leaving the paper bag masks at home and stopping the boos and jeers.
Most of my own criticism has been directed at London, and I still firmly believe that all of it has been fair at heart. I’ve never aimed to personally attack the man, but I admit that my language has been harsher than necessary at times.
It may be completely appropriate for the athletics department to fire Mike London at the conclusion of the season, but I think I speak for all fans in saying the preferable option would be for London to start winning more. If he does end up being fired, I hope only the best for his family and his future career.
Part of the fan experience is engaging with the team. It’s fun to offer up our hot takes on recruiting, scheduling, interviews and especially the games themselves. There’s no reason to discourage any of that. If you disagree with something, by all means talk about it and write about it. I will certainly continue to offer commentary on the team, and a lot of it will be disagreement.
But there’s a line between critique and disrespect that we all need to be aware of. It’s a blurry line, and I certainly straddle it at times.
I can do better. I can try to be fairer and smarter in my judgements. I should stop using words like “abominable” and “disgraceful” when describing aspects of the team. And I will definitely stop booing at home games.
Matt Comey is a weekly Sports Columnist for The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at m.comey@cavalierdaily.com. Follow him on Twitter @matthewcomey.
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