An interesting quote came up on my Twitter timeline today. Wil Wheaton, most notably of Star Trek fame, had this to say about the reaction of the fans at Mellon Arena last night while the Cup was being awarded.
I’m embarrased for the Pens’ fans right now. Booing the players who won while they hoist the Cup? Pretty classless, guys.
To say that booing an undesirable outcome is classless is silly. The home crowd didn’t win, and they expressed their displeasure with this. You can’t logically expect any other reaction when the Cup is being hoisted on THEIR ice by another team! What is classless is leaving a game early, rioting, throwing items onto the ice, etc.
The fans in Mellon Arena did none of this. The Igloo stayed packed throughout the Cup celebration, which I think is a tremendous gesture towards the Cup and the Red Wings (a team whose fans can’t seem to keep their seafood to themselves). Those in attendance didn’t throw things onto the ice, start fights, or any other thing sports fans are notorious for doing when their team loses a big game. I applaud the Penguins fans for showing restraint while still having a voice in what must have been a heart-wrenching experience, one that hasn’t happened since 2000.
As for you Wil… BOOOOOOOOO!
