Saturday, February 12, 2005

Have Fans Gone Too Far

JJ Redick is possibly the best shooter college basketball has ever seen. This season he is leading the ACC in scoring. So why do fans hate JJ?
Fans of opposing teams have learned to hate the great. JJ has learned to hold his follow threw a little longer while running down the court and he is the best free throw shooter college basketball has ever seen. He acts a little cocky, waves to the fans after hitting a big trey but most of the time just pumps his fists. He is emotional and opposing fans find it to be cocky.
But how much taunting is too much?
JJ takes abuse at every away venue. And not just your typical heckling.
Last season at Maryland was the worst for JJ. As he went to the free throw line to ice the game the crowd in unison started yelling FU JJ. Besides the derogitory comments what else has he gone through?
JJ has had to change his cell phone number five times. One night he got around 30 calls. People calling to tell him how much they hate him.
JJ has learned to deal with the comments about his game and the heckling towards him but he says fans cross the line when they mess with his little siblings. JJ has a younger brother and sister and he has seen signs refering to both of them. One sign at Maryland last season refered to having sexual relations with JJ's 12 year old sister.
So how much is too much?
And who takes control of the situation?

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