A Proper Perspective

Last Saturday, as Colt Brennan lay motionless on the Aloha Stadium turf, the 40,000 fans attending the University of Hawaii vs. Fresno State football game and the millions watching on television were reminded of a valuable lesson:

There are things in life more important then sports.

Things like the ability to walk. Friendship. Community. The health and well being of our families. Because at this point, let’s face it, this group of Hawaii Warriors is no longer just a football team, they’re family. When Colt Brennan hit the deck, it might as well have been your brother or sister laying on the ground. In that moment, all thoughts of an undefeated season or a BCS game slipped under the rushing tide of concern for a member of our ohana. (For those J-Bors unfamiliar with the parlance of my Hawaiian home, the Hawaiian word of the day is Ohana, which means family. The Hawaiian word of the day is brought to you by sunshine, palm trees and, of course, the letter J.)

After the game ended, the players did not celebrate the hard fought victory over their bitter rivals, nor did they perform their customary post game Ha’a. Similarly, the fans did not stick around Aloha Stadium to cheer the teams record tying ninth victory in a row. Instead, the players rushed to the locker room and the fans filed out of the stadium in an eerie silence, got in their cars and turned on their radios to hear if Colt was ok. The game did not matter. Colt mattered.

Unfortunately, this moment of solidarity was marred the next day when a report of abusive fan behavior surfaced. A Fresno State fan, who had traveled to Hawaii to watch the game, posted a scathing indictment of the Hawaii fans and Aloha Stadium security on a national College Football message board. Entitled “Aloha Stadium: A Disaster Waiting to Happen”, the post details how “fights, alcohol, lax security and thug fans have turned Aloha Stadium into what is likely the most horrible game day atmosphere in college football”. (You can read the full text of the post here.)

According to the writer, a group of out of control, violent, intoxicated Hawaii fans continually antagonized the Fresno State fans sitting in the visitors section in the North End Zone section of Aloha Stadium. The aggressors threw water bottles and full beers into the section, spit on the Fresno fans, continually yelled obscenities and, finally, descended into the Fresno section and began throwing punches. When the Fresno fans attempted to call security, it took the police officers more then 7 minutes to respond. When they finally arrived, they escorted out a 65 year old Fresno State fan who had been the victim of spitting and punching and had not been involved in the fight in any way. Did I mention that all this occurred in the first quarter????

The writer goes on to describe similarly shocking events that occurred throughout the duration of the game. Most of them involve profanity, violence and a slow, ineffective police force. I won’t subject you to the painful details, except to pass along my personal favorite. As a Fresno State fan was in line for beer a Hawaii fan screamed, “Hey David Carr was at Fresno State…. he’s a fucking piece of shit. The Bulldogs can suck my cock.” You stay classy, Honolulu.

For those of you sitting at home, watching college football, sharing an orange with your dog thinking “Hey, why isn’t the J-Borhood funny this week?” (Really? I’m the only one?), I apologize. I do my best to ensure that the J-Borhood remains diatribe free. I’ll freely engage in a rant, harangue, tirade, discourse or invective, but I want to completely sidestep any moral arbitration. In other words, papa don’t preach. But in light of Colt Brennan’s serious injury and with Thanksgiving on the horizon, I want to take the opportunity to make my position on sports inescapably clear.

Sports are a recreation. Good, mostly-clean fun. And while it’s ok to take them too seriously (Oh, come on. Shaving my head, bleaching it blonde and they dyeing the Hawaiian islands in the side isn’t TOO serious, is it?), it’s not ok to lose sight of what really matters in life.

Health. Friendship. Camaraderie. Pride. Family. Humor.

So go out there and get crazy. Dye your hair, shave your chest, paint your body, name your children after your sports heroes, paint your house your favorite team’s colors, wear giant foam fingers, cheer with all your heart and soul and even taunt the opposing fans. Just make sure you do it with the same style, class and verve that we practice here on the J-Borhood week in, week out.

Most importantly, when you see that crazy drunk Hawaii fan w/ a shaved head, bleached blonde hair and the Hawaiian islands on the side of his head, raving like a lunatic and screaming obscenities at Boise State players this Friday, just remember to do as I say, not as I do.

(Just kidding, Mom!)