January 16, 2008

Patriots to Honor Booed Teenager: Patriots owner Robert Kraft extended an invitation to Anna Grant and her parents to be on the field during the coin flip at this weekend's playoff game against the San Diego Chargers. The 14-year-old girl was booed after being introduced as her age-group champion of the Punt-Pass-Kick competition before the 4th quarter of the Colts-Chargers game because she was wearing a Patriots jersey.

posted by NerfballPro to football at 09:32 AM - 127 comments

The link above offers the video of the incident. Check this article for more on what happened Sunday.

posted by NerfballPro at 09:34 AM on January 16, 2008

Good move by the Patriots, and I'm sure Anna will now be able to enjoy a huge ovation. I guess the best thing to come out of this is the idea some teenagers, this young lady in particular, are so well-adjusted and find enjoyment out of the booing she received. Even though I made several comments on another thread about this situation, it's not as though I felt the booing was going to emotionally scar this girl. It's just another reminder, though, that a great number of adults (many at the RCA Dome) lack perspective in their lives.

posted by dyams at 09:46 AM on January 16, 2008

And the Patriots pull another fast one...

posted by Goyoucolts at 10:11 AM on January 16, 2008

I don't think you could say "pull another fast one..." gyc. I think it is a nice gesture on the part of Robert Kraft & Co. What I like is everyone is blaming the Colts. And while I am sure the Colts fans far outnumbered the Charger fans last Sunday. I think the Chargers would have a "better" reason to boo her. You know, after some of the Patriots dancing on the Chargers emblem midfield last season. The booing was stupid yes. I can't wait for this season to be over.

posted by steelergirl at 10:23 AM on January 16, 2008

Sorry, just the angry fan coming out in me. :) I do agree that the booing at the RCA dome was tasteless, however. Don't measure all Colts fans to that standard.

posted by Goyoucolts at 10:38 AM on January 16, 2008

"Why should a champion be booed?" the boss of the three-time Super Bowl winners said Tuesday. "She won an intensive competition. She's supposed to be honored." "What I decided is that we would honor her here before this game," Kraft said in an interview in his office filled with photos, footballs and other memorabilia. "We will recognize her as the winner on the field. Our fans will know." But this statement by Robert Kraft sounds to me a bit like "see, this is how you should have done it. Note that I, owner of the Patriots, have taken the high road." Maybe I'm just being sensitive

posted by Goyoucolts at 10:43 AM on January 16, 2008

She found it funny at the time, if I recall. She knew what she was getting into by wearing her colors in Indy, and I was under the impression she pretty much took it in stride, in the loud but relatively good-natured spirit in which the fans were giving it to her. This, I'm going to assume, is Robert Kraft taking this joke through to its logical conclusion. Any anger about any of this is misplaced.

posted by chicobangs at 10:45 AM on January 16, 2008

Nice gamesmanship by Kraft. The teen gets a roar of applause and Indianapolis looks bad. It's not often you can do the right thing and stick it to a rival at the same time.

posted by rcade at 10:58 AM on January 16, 2008

I used the word "angry" tongue in cheek, chico. :) And I agree that she seemed to find it funny. But I don't think Robert Kraft is taking this as a joke. Seems to me to be a classic case of one-upmanship. But again, just my opinion.

posted by Goyoucolts at 10:59 AM on January 16, 2008

As much as I detest the Patriots (my wife, unfortunately, is a HUGE Pats fan), I think this is one helluva classy move by Kraft. I really don't think his intent was to "one-up" Irsay or the Colts, but as rcade said, it was a nice benefit.

posted by willthrill72 at 11:13 AM on January 16, 2008

Regardless of what the ulterior motives of anyone involved may be, I'm sure Anna and her family are OK with it. Any smart PR team would jump on this situation, too.

posted by dyams at 11:22 AM on January 16, 2008

But this statement by Robert Kraft sounds to me a bit like "see, this is how you should have done it. Note that I, owner of the Patriots, have taken the high road." Maybe I'm just being sensitive No, even as a Pats fan I choked on what he said. For a guy who makes such a big deal of being one of the fans and having sat among the hoi polloi at the old stadium, he seems to have forgotten how Bleacher Creatures behave.

posted by yerfatma at 11:41 AM on January 16, 2008

Don't measure all Colts fans to that standard. I am on your side, gyc.

posted by steelergirl at 11:42 AM on January 16, 2008

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:43 AM on January 16, 2008

Yeah, the classy Pats fans wouldn't have booed a kid wearing a Colts jersey. The kid was old enough to understand why fans boo someone wearing the jersey of their rival....its more of a joke than anything. Doesn't make it right, but it happens.

posted by Meathooks at 11:44 AM on January 16, 2008

The Grants are New Hampshire residents, so the girl would've worn the jersey of the team in her region like the other champions honored in the PPK ceremony; in her case, it was the New England Patriots. I'm guessing here, but it's likely the Colts fans were simply booing the presence of the jersey and not necessary the girl herself. Yet, the context suggests quite different, as we've all seen. I think the real winner in this fiasco is Anna herself. Joke or not, she indeed handled herself with incredible poise and good nature in the face of a ridiculous situation. The world could use more people like her, in my humble opinion.

posted by NerfballPro at 11:54 AM on January 16, 2008

posted by dfleming at 11:56 AM on January 16, 2008

This is absolutely gamesmanship from Kraft. I'd be a bit disappointed in the Pats organization if they didn't capitalize on this PR opportunity. Like Weedy said, this youngster is on quite a roll. She got to see a great contest last week and scored tickets for the entire fam for the AFC championship. Some people here are too bent out of shape over the booing though. Dip shits, buffoons, and morons are some of the adjectives I've seen applied to the Colts fans. Oh and everybody at the RCA dome lacks perspective in their lives. Come on guys, it wasn't that big of a deal. You've been to sporting events before haven't you?

posted by curlyelk at 12:20 PM on January 16, 2008

Wonderful poetic irony. Anna moves on to the title game and the colts get an early vacation. Sorry Indy. Next time mind your manners.

posted by sportsbugger at 12:28 PM on January 16, 2008

WeedyMcSmokey: "Not quite sure what people expect a crowd of fans to do when a person seemingly invited by the team walks onto the field at a Colts playoff game wearing a Pats jersey. I'd have booed her too. All in good fun, of course, which she seems to have a handle on. It's not in poor taste. It's entirely predictable. One would think that the fault lies with her."

I agree with everything Weedy said and would add that it isn't just predictable but borders on dangerous.

dfleming: "You're assuming SHE chose the jersey. Each contestant was "representing" a team; was it the sponsors, or the teams themselves, or her that made the jersey choice?"

Bad idea on the part of the NFL/sponsors that could have been avoided by providing generic NFL jerseys or jerseys that represent the sponsors. Well played by the Patriots.

posted by geekyguy at 12:33 PM on January 16, 2008

�Before I went down there, my friends said, �You know, you�ll probably get booed,�� she said in a telephone interview. �I was kind of waiting for it. Anna Grant You're assuming SHE chose the jersey. Each contestant was "representing" a team; was it the sponsors, or the teams themselves, or her that made the jersey choice? From the article, "This was Anna Grant, a high school freshman who had worked hard to win the Punt, Pass & Kick competition in her age group as the team�s representative." My understanding is while in the PP&K competition each participant can chose their favorite team to represent.

posted by Folkways at 12:34 PM on January 16, 2008

Curly has hit the nail on the head here. A little perspective is warranted here. First, the girl was not�relentlessly booed, but she is a 14 year old girl who was on the field to be honored for her own achievements and not those of the New England Patriots. So, while a bit in bad taste, not very surprising considering the rivalry between the teams involved. Lastly, this had nothing to do with the Colts organization - unless there were players on the sidelines booing that I did not see - this has everything to do with good natured home town rivalry. All Kraft is doing is using the opportunity to ensure the girl is shown her due recognition, in addition to easing over any potential underlying negative feelings she may have from the experience. At the end of the day, she's a teenage girl. None of us really know whether she was truly bothered or not. Would there be the same griping going on here is Kraft did not step-up? I wonder. Again, this is not a jab at the Colts as others have tried to say. This is about the girl and how she was treated during the ceremony. Did Kraft mention the Colts organization or the incident?.... Ask yourselves how you would want your team to have reacted if the shoe were on the other foot. Disclaimer: I am a life-long Pats fan who was not the least bothered by the incident. Triggo

posted by triggo at 12:51 PM on January 16, 2008

My understanding is while in the PP&K competition each participant can chose their favorite team to represent. This is correct, at least it was the last time I paid attention to the PP&K in the 70's. Savvy exploitation by the Krafts.

posted by Texan_lost_in_NY at 01:01 PM on January 16, 2008

Obviously we need to start a PP&K fantasy pool here on SpoFi. I nominate Texan to run it.

posted by DrJohnEvans at 01:05 PM on January 16, 2008

Oh and everybody at the RCA dome lacks perspective in their lives. I said "many" in the RCA Dome, not everybody, as in the ones who chose to boo. If you're going to try to add dramatic effect to your post, don't misquote me to accomplish it. Yes, I do think those who boo a 14 year old during one of the biggest moments of her young life (because of a shirt she's wearing) need lives, regardless of how the girl herself handled it. And next time some of you post wanting people to have some consideration for the feelings of some of the adults who play these games profesionally, please remember this situation.

posted by dyams at 01:10 PM on January 16, 2008

I like how you think booing a 14 year old girl in a fun event is not in poor taste but jabbing at a team of professionals is low. Your moral standard is bizarre. Probably, but within context. If you were invited to Mitt's house for a dinner party and showed up wearing a Hilary '08 button, and were treated accordingly - would that be Mitt's fault or yours? And - it's a Colts playoff game. For the love of sports that's where you're supposed to boo the Pats. That part is both predictable and acceptable. What Kraft did - his comments, not his actions (inviting the girl is a smooth move) - was unecessary and mean-spirited. But again, I don't want to overstate it - it's hardly a big deal to anyone involved. But one would think Kraft would be above such petty shots. Now if the Colts were playing the Pats this weekend, then the gloves are off.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 01:10 PM on January 16, 2008

posted by bdaddy at 01:22 PM on January 16, 2008

Have a 14 year old show up at a similar introduction in Fenway wearing a Yankees jersey and see the response she gets. Thanks Bdaddy for saying what I've been thinking all morning.

posted by cjets at 01:42 PM on January 16, 2008

Thanks Bdaddy for saying what I've been thinking all morning. That's what you've been thinking all morning? I want to be you, dude.

posted by jerseygirl at 01:49 PM on January 16, 2008

Perspective, people. The important thing to pay attention to here is that the Pat's even have the best 14 year old girl in the country playing for them.

posted by Joey Michaels at 01:52 PM on January 16, 2008

Thanks Bdaddy for saying what I've been thinking all morning. That's what you've been thinking all morning? I want to be you, dude. Can't wait for his afternoon thought.

posted by dyams at 01:57 PM on January 16, 2008

She knew before her name was announced that she was going to get booed.There were probably a few just doing it just to have a little fun,but I'm sure there was those drunken, obnoxious morons booing a fourteen year girl wearing a Patriots jersey just out of hatred of the Patriots.Class act on Krafts part to give her and her family tickets to the game.Good PRs for smoothing over maybe some hurt feelings,even though she said it didn't bother her.

posted by Ghastly1 at 02:03 PM on January 16, 2008

Ya, and if she were in Boston for a Red Sox game and had on a Yankee Jersey she wouldn't have been booed? I know if she were in St Louis and had on a Patriot uniform, we would have offered her a contract. Can she play Cornerback?

posted by RamsNut at 02:10 PM on January 16, 2008

Thanks Bdaddy for saying what I've been thinking all morning. That's what you've been thinking all morning? I want to be you, dude. Do I really need to say "in regards to this thread?" Can't wait for his afternoon thought. For someone so concerned about the lack of class regarding the Colts fans, and being misquoted, you sure are quick to make a snarky comment yourself. Very classy.

posted by cjets at 02:44 PM on January 16, 2008

Well I can't speak for dyams, but it was said in good fun, cjets.

posted by jerseygirl at 02:49 PM on January 16, 2008

America loves a 'feel good' story. Congratulations to Anna Grant on her accomplishment of winning the championship in her age group. And also congratulations to her on being such a nice young person who set and example of how to handle such a situation. I hope someone in the family will have the TIVO running. Good move on Kraft's part also.

posted by Fly_Piscator at 02:56 PM on January 16, 2008

Not quite sure what people expect a crowd of fans to do when a person seemingly invited by the team walks onto the field at a Colts playoff game wearing a Pats jersey. I'd have booed her too. All in good fun, of course, which she seems to have a handle on. It's not in poor taste. It's entirely predictable. One would think that the fault lies with her. If I understand how the competion works, she entered it in the region of the team in her home area, the New England Patriots. When she won her regional, she became the kid competing for her regional. I think that the NFL ask the kids to wear the jersey of the team attached to the regional that they won. I do not think that what the Colts fans did is bad and I do not think what Kraft is doing is driven by a desire to stick to the Colts. The Colts fans were doing some good natured kidding and Kraft seems to want the kid to hear the adulation of a crowd. I hope that when this is all finished, fans everywhere during the future that when a future PPK winner is introduced, the kid gets the cheers and adulation that their accomplishment deserves, regardless of the jersey that they were. On one possitive note out of this, some video was shown of the kid playing soccer, looks like she is a pretty good player, if she continues to develop as a player, this incident probaly has produced a college scholarship for her.

posted by Cave_Man at 02:58 PM on January 16, 2008

"Adulation" may be a bit much. Other than that, I'm inclined to agree.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 03:00 PM on January 16, 2008

Well I can't speak for dyams, but it was said in good fun, cjets. Fair enough, JG. I appreciate the clarification.

posted by cjets at 03:08 PM on January 16, 2008

Dyams - wasn't trying to misquote you. I was just listing a few of the pejoratives I remembered reading in the other thread.

posted by curlyelk at 03:10 PM on January 16, 2008

Thanks Bdaddy for saying what I've been thinking all morning. That's what you've been thinking all morning? I want to be you, dude. posted by jerseygirl at 1:49 PM CST on January 16 Good shot! I had been thinking about delivering that one all day :-)

posted by Cave_Man at 03:12 PM on January 16, 2008

I wish the Super Bowl halftime show was the PP&K ceremony. That would solve several problems: 1. Shitty Super Bowl halftime shows 2. OK, so it would only solve one problem.

posted by BitterOldPunk at 03:39 PM on January 16, 2008

It would certainly be better than the past few halftime shows. They've been mighty boring if you'd ask me. Only slightly more entertaining than the Lions halftime shows where they celebrate Barry Sanders' 2,000 yard season since nothing else worthwhile has happened in the past fifty years.

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 03:56 PM on January 16, 2008

I know if she were in St Louis and had on a Patriot uniform, we would have offered her a contract. Can she play Cornerback? Amen, brother.

posted by Nakeman at 04:05 PM on January 16, 2008

I gather this year's halftime show is supposed to be Paula Abdul. Oh for wonderful.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 04:16 PM on January 16, 2008

I gather this year's halftime show is supposed to be Paula Abdul. I heard it was Tom Petty. Maybe it's both. But I would be surprised if it was Paula because with the "medication" she's on, another Janet Jackson moment could be a real risk.

posted by cjets at 04:29 PM on January 16, 2008

cjets, my comment was only meant in a messing-around sort of way. And curlyelk, that's OK. I just wanted to make sure you (and anyone else who cares) understands that I realize only a small percentage of the crowd at the game booed the girl. They're the only ones I commented about.

posted by dyams at 04:33 PM on January 16, 2008

cjets, my comment was only meant in a messing-around sort of way. OK, OK, I'll try and bring my sense of humor next time I'm posting. :-) - as Cave_Man would say.

posted by cjets at 04:41 PM on January 16, 2008

1. Shitty Super Bowl halftime shows 2. OK, so it would only solve one problem. posted by BitterOldPunk at 3:39 PM CST on January 16 I would love to see the Super Bowl played outdoors in New England, or Green Bay or Buffalo during late January, early February. That would solve the bad halftime shows because all of the "celebrities" would sell their tickets to true football fans that will tolerate brutal weather to watch a game - there would be no need to entertain anyone, the entertainment would be on the field.

posted by Cave_Man at 05:00 PM on January 16, 2008

You're assuming SHE chose the jersey. Each contestant was "representing" a team; was it the sponsors, or the teams themselves, or her that made the jersey choice? I wondered the same thing as I watched the actual PPK event (which they held before the gates even opened instead of at halftime, because they had to have some stupid wuss singer perform). I was sure I'd see at least one kid who bucked the pattern of rooting for the hometown team. The Hawaiian girl (who outthrew all the girls in the age group above her, btw) wore SD, I believe. Every single kid matched up to their local team, although of course a kid from LA was free to choose Oakland for himself and a kid from southern PA took the Ravens. But I can't imagine that they'd force a 12 year old from Cleveland to wear a Browns jersey if he for some reason grew up a Bengals or Steelers fan. Interesting though, that in that scenario if it was held in his home stadium he'd probably end up getting booed for that too. Anyway, as I mentioned in the other thread that brought this up (is it just me or are we getting a lot of duplicate conversations lately, usually Patriot-related), I believe it was all in good fun and that anyone who thinks that it wouldn't have happened in every other stadium, especially in Boston, is kidding themselves and just looking for a reason to complain about a team they don't like. If it the opposite happened, and it would, I would expect to see Colts fans saying the same things. But setting rivalries aside, I would understand that it's part of the game and the rivalry. And the girl handled it very well. And yeah, I think Kraft is hamming it up just a bit in the spirit of the rivalry. And I can't really blame him for it. That's just how it is with those two teams. Yeah, the halftime show is Tom Petty. They've been running a bunch of commercials about it, under the assumption that people care. There was a rumor that Abdul would be part of it, kind of like an uninteresting opening act.

posted by Bernreuther at 05:19 PM on January 16, 2008

OK, OK, I'll try and bring my sense of humor next time I'm posting. :-) - as Cave_Man would say. posted by cjets at 4:41 PM CST on January 16 Hey. How did I get involved in your little spat? I don't need anyone else to start fights for me, I can do that myself :-)).

posted by Cave_Man at 05:30 PM on January 16, 2008

Personally, I think her being booed is an absolute travesty. I don't care what jersey she had on and where she had it on. She's 14 for god sakes! give her a break. Congrats Colts fans, you look like like the bigger asses than you already are. Now I'm happy you got spanked in your own house. Now I'm happy Peyton choked....again. Seriously, booeing the winner of the PP&K? What's next, the local cub scout troop going to get booed for winning the national pine wood derby? LOL Pathetic!

posted by B10 at 06:02 PM on January 16, 2008

Oh, good, the smart fans have arrived. I love that throwing for 402 yards and having your defense get shredded is considered "choking."

posted by Bernreuther at 06:25 PM on January 16, 2008

Have a 14 year old show up at a similar introduction in Fenway wearing a Yankees jersey and see the response she gets. That's just attempted suicide. Now I'm happy Peyton choked....again. Sorry, but you can't make "Manning choked" comments any more. After he won the Super Bowl, those were officially retired. Please find another irrational "choke" target.

posted by grum@work at 06:31 PM on January 16, 2008

The Boo's = Bad Karma The Football God's were watching their Sony's not their RCA's now Peyton gets to watch his brother skate live on the frozen tundra.

posted by thatch at 06:53 PM on January 16, 2008

Off the subject but speaking of half time shows fyi #1 Single highest water consumption period of the entire year,Super Bowl Halftime. So who is watching what?

posted by thatch at 07:01 PM on January 16, 2008

i don't really see a problem with it, people get so damn worked up over it, and act like this wouldn't happen in any other stadium. if a lakers fan showed up in arco arena during a kings game he or she would get booed. if we arn't allowed to boo people wearing a cheif rivals jersey, then we shouldn't boo anybody on the opposing team. Also i like tom petty but the show's gonna suck.

posted by rockstar2001 at 07:33 PM on January 16, 2008

posted by rockstar2001 at 07:37 PM on January 16, 2008

Omigod it's fricking SPORTS and this is all so goofy. The kid is a class act... the only thing she could have done to top it was to blow them all a big fat kiss. Cool chicks dig sports. Way to go,kid!

posted by Hockeymom at 10:39 PM on January 16, 2008

To those not in the Indy area, here is the latest: WTHR in Indy has given Anna and her family tickets to the Indianapolis 500. These are good seats and also the chance to ride around the track. Maybe next year I will enter the PPK competition. HA! HA! HA!

posted by coach at 07:05 AM on January 17, 2008

This feels like the kind of thing that only happens now that we have 24 hour news and a zillion Internet sites clamoring for fresh content. The kid got booed, probably happened every week in the past but only now that we can all see it instantaneously on YouTube do we act as though American sportsfandom is typically a model of decorum and a place where that sort of boorishness is not acceptable.

posted by yerfatma at 07:18 AM on January 17, 2008

I agree with your general point, but I don't think YouTube was needed to give this story legs. A lot of people are watching those PPK ceremonies because they start off the fourth quarter of a playoff game. I thought when I saw it that the booing would be a big deal.

posted by rcade at 07:25 AM on January 17, 2008

Yeah, I'm not blaming YouTube, it just feels like 10 years ago if you'd told someone about this, the average reaction would be, "I'm sorry, were you saying something? Booing at a sports event . . . something like that."

posted by yerfatma at 08:08 AM on January 17, 2008

I agree with both rcade and yerfatma. Since so many were watching the game I, too, thought it would become somewhat of a big deal. I do agree with yerfatma, though, that everyone's instant access to attention being given the situation has made it into something much bigger. When I first brought it up in the other Patriots thread, my only point was it's in bad taste to boo a kid (even though I understand it could, and probably would, happen in most, if not all other stadiums). But whether or not it would happen elsewhere doesn't make it right, and people who boo a kid because of the jersey she wears need to step back and realize she's not going to be the reason your team loses the game. I'm as big a fan as anyone here and don't feel I'm any less of a fan because I wouldn't boo a Punt, Pass, & Kick winner. I also liked Joey Michaels comment above: The important thing to pay attention to here is that the Pat's even have the best 14 year old girl in the country playing for them.

posted by dyams at 08:16 AM on January 17, 2008

Maybe next year I will enter the PPK competition. HA! HA! HA! Coach, don't forget to wear your Colts jersey when you're invited to Foxboro.

posted by NerfballPro at 08:20 AM on January 17, 2008

grum@work, there is ALWAYS room for a manning choke jokes. His whole carreer has been plaqued with them. College, the pros, hell I bet there is even a H.S. choke or two. Yes he won a Super Bowl but let's face it, you and I both know just about any AFC playoff team could have beaten the Bears. Not to mention that he got there because of a total Patriot 18 point melt down. Give me a break

posted by B10 at 09:00 AM on January 17, 2008

Wouldn't that 18-point meltdown count as a choke?

posted by yerfatma at 09:26 AM on January 17, 2008

Wouldn't that 18-point meltdown count as a choke? YEP

posted by B10 at 09:38 AM on January 17, 2008

if we arn't allowed to boo people wearing a cheif rivals jersey, then we shouldn't boo anybody on the opposing team. There's an interesting line of reasoning, to be sure. One is a 14-year-old girl; the other is a professional athlete. What harm could possibly come from treating them both the same way? All the rationalization is ridiculous. It was a child, and at least some Colts fans booed her. Loudly enough that it was clearly audible to anybody watching the game. For all of you who say, It happens all the time, or some other such qualifying comment, I respectfully disagree. If that were the case, this certainly wouldn't be the first time we've seen it and discussed it. There is a reason you don't treat adults and children the same way. It's called maturity. Stop making excuses, and ask yourself instead: would I feel comfortable being shown on TV, booing a 14-year-old girl? Would I want my family, my friends, my employer and colleagues, observing me acting like a boorish assclown? If the answer for you is no, then don't make excuses for others for doing the same thing; if the answer is yes, well, more power to you, and God help you when the great karmic pendulum begins to swing back in your direction.

posted by The_Black_Hand at 09:45 AM on January 17, 2008

Well said, TBH. As for the first two comments posted by SuckMYBZkitBallZ since he joined, THIS is the reason we get into all the crap regarding new members.

posted by dyams at 10:00 AM on January 17, 2008

Wah, wah, wah. Who cares? the fans had a right to boo her. if you can't stand the heat, then stay out of the kitchen... or at least wear an apron instead of a filthy pat's shirt. on the other hand, what is wrong with the pats honoring a faithful fan? you have to give the girl credit... not for her athletic ability, but for her integrity.</em Congrats, that post wreaked of ignorance and stupidity....GREAT JOB!!!!

posted by B10 at 10:02 AM on January 17, 2008

Well let's just for a moment, wonder why what the Patriots have , is proving to be one of the greatest dynasties in all of sports. And for the record, I am no fan. It has something to do with the coach, and something to do with the players but it all starts with ownership. Kraft is one of the saviest, likable, and reasonable owners in pro sports. He makes really good decisions and this is just one example of the fact that he is a class act and his organization follows suit. This may be just good publicity to some, but to me it's good business and the right thing to do.

posted by Atheist at 10:02 AM on January 17, 2008

if you can't stand the heat, then stay out of the kitchen... or at least wear an apron instead of a filthy pat's shirt. Ah-HAH-HAH!! An apron! You hear what he said? An Apron! That's a funny joke. I get it. She's female. Now, that's funny!

posted by lil_brown_bat at 10:08 AM on January 17, 2008

if you can't stand the heat, then stay out of the kitchen... or at least wear an apron instead of a filthy pat's shirt. Ok, I wasn't there in Indianapolis, but I'm pretty sure the shirt was washed prior to her wearing it on the field. And I doubt a lack of Tide would've prompted those boos.

posted by NerfballPro at 10:28 AM on January 17, 2008

O.K. seriously, did anybody see SuckMyBZkitBallZ other comment he posted. Holy Hell what a valuable contribution this persons going to make. What an ignorant waste of space on the blogs.

posted by B10 at 10:36 AM on January 17, 2008

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 11:00 AM on January 17, 2008

How come I'm always a little too late to have fun with the really live ones? Oh well, looks like y'all sent them packing.

posted by tahoemoj at 11:08 AM on January 17, 2008

There is a reason you don't treat adults and children the same way. It's called maturity. Stop making excuses, and ask yourself instead: would I feel comfortable being shown on TV, booing a 14-year-old girl? Would I want my family, my friends, my employer and colleagues, observing me acting like a boorish assclown? If the answer for you is no, then don't make excuses for others for doing the same thing; if the answer is yes, well, more power to you, and God help you when the great karmic pendulum begins to swing back in your direction. And I would respond - is it really that bad to boo a 14-year old girl in a Pats jersey on the field during a playoff game? She herself knew to expect it. What, do we think that such a response would emotionally cripple her in some permanent way? Clearly not - her responses indicate as such. Who - in their right mind - is surprised by any of this? You guys are up in arms about this more than the alledged victim. A 14-year old girl is a child in many respects - but if she didn't know what she was in for, I would be extraordinarily surprised. I can think of many more traumatic things that happened to me personally as a teenager than this. This is a cool ass story for a teenager.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:12 AM on January 17, 2008

A 14-year old girl is a child in many respects - but if she didn't know what she was in for, I would be extraordinarily surprised. For the record, that excuse bought me 0 rhythm with the cops.

posted by yerfatma at 11:35 AM on January 17, 2008

What, do we think that such a response would emotionally cripple her in some permanent way? Clearly not - her responses indicate as such. Who - in their right mind - is surprised by any of this? You guys are up in arms about this more than the alledged victim. A 14-year old girl is a child in many respects - but if she didn't know what she was in for, I would be extraordinarily surprised. I don't think anybody thought she would be emotionally crippled by the experience. I think the point is the total and utter lack of class on the part of Colts fans. The point she knew or didn't know what she was in for is irrellivant. She is 14 after all. Actually, she probably got a good luagh out of it and had a little bit of fun with it. Still though, that's not the point. We are always quick to criticize players, coaches and owners for being "unsportsmanlike" or "bad sports" or maybe acting out at their press conference. So as fans we have no responsiblity? We can crtitcize everyone else but when it comes to our own actions, well that's okay? No, the fans, (who booed that girl), were wrong and that's that. It was classless and tasteless. This isn't to say that Colts fans are the only ones who would do that but it happenned at their house.

posted by B10 at 11:37 AM on January 17, 2008

So, the next time there's a story berating people/individuals (or "fans" as the general term is thrown around) who cheer when a professional, adult player is hurt during a game, we can put a stop to it by saying, "That player wasn't emotionally crippled by the cheering, lots of fans act that way, and if a Yankee was injured in Fenway, you don't think many people would by cheering?" etc. The way the girl handled it has nothing to do with it. I'm merely fascinated by the mindset of so-called adults that find it necessary to boo a kid. If you go to a kids pee-wee game in the Indianapolis area and one of the teams is named "Patriots" does that mean any adult who happens to call themselves a Colts fan can boo, heckle, or berate the kids and that means they're a "fan?" I get back to what The Black Hand said earlier, if you can go up to your boss on Monday morning, or your child's teacher, and gleefully boast how you and your buddies booed loudly when they were naming off the Punt, Pass, & Kick winners, then I admit I don't quite get it. Sorry, maybe I sound like a complete prick, but it just never entered my mind to do that sort of thing.

posted by dyams at 11:55 AM on January 17, 2008

is it really that bad to boo a 14-year old girl in a Pats jersey on the field during a playoff game? She herself knew to expect it. What, do we think that such a response would emotionally cripple her in some permanent way? Clearly not - her responses indicate as such. Who - in their right mind - is surprised by any of this Yes it is that bad. That girl was mature enough to understand, but what if she werent? What if instead of a 14 year old, it was a 9 year old, who dreams of playing on that field, in front of those fans. now his dream is polluted with the boos of ignorant thugs who don't see how hard he worked to get there through the jersey that he was handed when he started the competition. Even though she is 14, there was a 9 year old standing just a few spaces to her right, observing all of it. This seems like a small thing as an adult, but these are the years when they are learning about sportsmanship. People raise hell all the time about bad sports parents, and the impact they have on their kids. Nobody makes excuses for a father at a little league game who yells at the ump for a called strike, until the ump orders him to leave. Why do we make excuses for these fans? the age of the kids isnt different. I think this points to a fundamental problem in sports: many fans, cant seem to seperate playful ribbing of another teams fans, from open hostility. When its adults, i think its ok, but when we do it infront of our kids, or worse yet TO our kids, yes it does damage them.

posted by elijahin24 at 02:07 PM on January 17, 2008

I think this points to a fundamental problem in sports: many fans, cant seem to seperate playful ribbing of another teams fans, from open hostility. That's where I would disagree with you. I saw the whole thing play out live and my reaction was that it was playful ribbing. I don't think booing is necessarily open hostility. I would also suggest that a teenager who is competitive and athletic enough to win PP&K has probably played team sports and understands the nature of rivalries in sports. And as Eli mentioned, from what I've seen and heard about the nightmarish parents and coaches in the pee-wee leagues across the country, booing from some fans of your team's rival would seem to be a very minor incident.

posted by cjets at 03:23 PM on January 17, 2008

And from what I've seen and heard about the nightmarish parents and coaches in the pee-wee leagues across the country, booing from some fans of your team's rival would seem to be a very minor incident. That doesn't make it right or excuse what happenned Sunday.

posted by B10 at 03:25 PM on January 17, 2008

That doesn't make it right or excuse what happenned Sunday. If you consider it to be a big deal. I don't.

posted by cjets at 03:46 PM on January 17, 2008

Yeah cjets, thats kindof a distortion of what i said. What i did say was that it SEEMS like a small thing to and adult, but that it really isnt. Especially to a kid. Yes i will concede that to a 14 year old who is that competitive, this is probably nothing new, but as i also said, she had younger people who probably have not seen that part of it. and to them the line between playful ribbing, and open hostility is pretty blurry.

posted by elijahin24 at 03:49 PM on January 17, 2008

If you consider it to be a big deal. I don't It's not about being a big deal. It's about showing responsability as a sports fan. Obviously you don't get it and that's fine but you're missing the point I think.

posted by B10 at 03:53 PM on January 17, 2008

Yeah cjets, thats kindof a distortion of what i said. Yeah, my last paragraph is a little unclear. I was just trying to give you credit for mentioning the Bad sports parents that I referenced as well. I'm not trying to claim that you agree with me. If you look at my first paragraph though, you'll see that I was quite clear in disagreeing with you. You think it's open hostility. I think it's playful ribbing. Here's a quote from the article: �Before I went down there, my friends said, �You know, you�ll probably get booed,�� she said in a telephone interview. �I was kind of waiting for it. �It really didn�t bother me at all,� she added. �People at the game came up to me afterward and said, �It�s not you. It�s your jersey.�� That just doesn't sound like open hostility to me. It sounds like a typical rivalry

posted by cjets at 04:03 PM on January 17, 2008

That just doesn't sound like open hostility to me. It sounds like a typical rivalry Again, your missing the point. It didn't matter if she expected it or not. It didn't matter if it bothered her. What mattered was the fans who were there didn't know any of that and still booed her. It was 100% tasteless and 0% tactful. It showed zero class.

posted by B10 at 04:08 PM on January 17, 2008

In 1998, i went to wrigley field wearing a mark mcgwire jersey. It was red, unmistakabel, and highly noticable. If i had squeezed all the beer out of that thing after he went deep in the 5th inning, i could easily have been arrested for minor posession, as i was only 19. I loved every second of it. My friend who is a cubs fan had the tickets and no other cub fans to join him for the 8 hour drive. I told him i would go but only if i could wear my cards jersey. He laughed and said if i have the balls...I did. As a 19 year old, former high school football player, who had been watching the cards/cubs feud for about 16 of those 19 years, i knew exactly what to expect. and i was ok with it. It isnt the older kids that concern me. But as i said before, the younger ones saw that display as well. When did indy become philly, by the way? Maybe the booing was intended playfully, but it clearly isnt being taken that way by the general public. At the absolute best, it looks bad on the team, the city, and the fans and residents of each. And i agree with the post above that said, if you wouldnt want your friend, your co-workers, you boss, your parents, your kids or your spouse to see YOU booing a teenager, you shouldnt be defending those who did.

posted by elijahin24 at 04:27 PM on January 17, 2008

It's not about being a big deal. It's about showing responsability as a sports fan. Obviously you don't get it and that's fine but you're missing the point I think. Obviously if he got it, he'd think it was a big deal, just like you do. Seriously, isn't it possible that someone could have a different view than you about what the "responsibility" of a sports fan is? And that that view, although different than yours, could perhaps not be completely and totally still-not-getting-it wrong?

posted by lil_brown_bat at 04:32 PM on January 17, 2008

Seriously, isn't it possible that someone could have a different view than you about what the "responsibility" of a sports fan is? And that that view, although different than yours, could perhaps not be completely and totally still-not-getting-it wrong? Guess not. Your one to talk lbb. LOL

posted by B10 at 04:39 PM on January 17, 2008

Guess not. Your one to talk lbb. LOL Here's an idea. Why not disagree with me without telling me I don't get it, or that LBB is "one to talk." I disagree with LBB all the time. And we debate the issues, not the person. Here's a quote from your profile B10: I have been living in Piitsburgh since 2001 and it sucks! If Pittsburgh was a body part it would be an anus. Is that your idea of class? I guess kids in Pittsburgh wouldn't be offended by that at all.

posted by cjets at 05:03 PM on January 17, 2008

Is that seriously your arument, cjets?

posted by elijahin24 at 05:12 PM on January 17, 2008

Is that seriously your arument, cjets? Is what seriously cjets' argument? That it's not that big a deal?

posted by lil_brown_bat at 05:17 PM on January 17, 2008

I guess kids in Pittsburgh wouldn't be offended by that at all I dont think there are a lot of 14 year old pittsburgh kids in here, are there?

posted by elijahin24 at 05:20 PM on January 17, 2008

Is that seriously your arument, cjets? No. First of all Eli, that was directed to B10, not you. And second, that is my response to someone who's only response to me is, "you don't get it." And then goes after LBB as well. Both times making it personal, rather than debating the issue at hand. And third, I don't want lectures on class from someone who, on an open and public forum writes If Pittsburgh was a body part it would be an anus. Talk about not tell your boss about what you do. And to reiterate. my argument is this. I found the booing to be "good natured ribbing" not open hostility. Rival teams boo each other. It's no big deal. That's what she thought. It's what I thought before I knew what she thought.

posted by cjets at 05:21 PM on January 17, 2008

Is that your idea of class? r u serious? I'm on a sports blog, not a childrens website. Besides that is so NOT even close to what we're talking about. Expressing your opinion in a sports blog and booeing a 14 yr old girl on the field that accomplished something other kids tried and couldn't do is a bit different, don't yea think? You know, like night and day! That is probably the weakest argument on this blog so far. I guess kids in Pittsburgh wouldn't be offended by that at all. Probably, but i'm NOT talking to kids in Pittsburgh directly either am I? I'm not booeing them on the field for winning a sports contest am I? Nor would I. My feelings for Pittsburgh would not be taken out on a 14 yr old girl for wearing the wrong jersey. WOW, you're most definantly in left field on this one. Nice try though, applaud the effort.

posted by B10 at 05:22 PM on January 17, 2008

Probably, but i'm NOT talking to kids in Pittsburgh directly either am I? I'm not booeing them on the field for winning a sports contest am I? Nor would I. I think it's certainly within the realm of possibility that a teenager from Pittsburgh could read your profile. This is an open and public site. (and by the way, I realize the age of the person booed is an issue. But does gender really matter?) Maybe I am in left field. But I find it ironic that someone who compares Pittsburgh to an anus (in their public profile, no less, not even a one-off post) should be scolding others about classless behavior.

posted by cjets at 05:30 PM on January 17, 2008

But I find it ironic that someone who compares Pittsburgh to an anus (in their public profile, no less, not even a one-off post) should be scolding others about classless behavior. Maybe, but having an opinion about a city and booeing a 14 year old is quiet a bit different isn't it? I was "scolding" the Colts fans, I don't remember you personally being a target but if you were there and did it than....yes, I was. This whole conversation doesn't matter because there is a fundamental difference in opinions here. I guess I'll agree to disagree but I still think it was wrong.

posted by B10 at 05:35 PM on January 17, 2008

By the way cjets, does the word 'Anus" offend you that much?

posted by B10 at 05:36 PM on January 17, 2008

I guess I'll agree to disagree Fair enough. By the way cjets, does the word 'Anus" offend you that much? Actually it made me laugh. And by the way, not a colt fan, never was, never will be, so you weren't scolding me. Just giving my $.02 on what I think is a tempest in a teapot. But I don't want to get started again so let's just agree to disagree, as you said.

posted by cjets at 05:55 PM on January 17, 2008

Your one to talk lbb. LOL There was no good reason to make this personal, B10.

posted by rcade at 06:06 PM on January 17, 2008

There was no good reason to make this personal, B10. Oh relax, seriously now. I wasn't trying to make it personal, I was just commenting on other posts I've seen from lbb on other Sports Filter blogs to other people. Nothing to get uptight about. I just felt strongly about the subject. I wasn't trying to make it personal with cjets either, I was just trying to get my point through to him. Obviously we didn't agree so you move on. If you take things personal from a blog like this there is a problem.

posted by B10 at 07:43 PM on January 17, 2008

Since this is winding down, let me just mention that I've seen footage of the contest she won and I think the kid representing Baltimore really won it.

posted by Joey Michaels at 07:55 PM on January 17, 2008

Puntpasskickgate! Anna Grant*

posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 08:16 PM on January 17, 2008

Joey Michaels: Since this is winding down, let me just mention that I've seen footage of the contest she won and I think the kid representing Baltimore really won it.

That took me a second, but... comedy gold!

posted by hincandenza at 11:05 PM on January 17, 2008

That was a good one, Joey. By the way, the kid with the Ravens jersey was Jim Kelly's nephew.

posted by dyams at 07:16 AM on January 18, 2008

I think the real winner in this fiasco is Anna herself. Joke or not, she indeed handled herself with incredible poise and good nature in the face of a ridiculous situation. The world could use more people like her, in my humble opinion. I'm sure glad that this was just your opinion because I just don't see how "[t]he world could use more people like her..." just for being booed. If that were the case, the whole world would probably be consumed with the entire Knicks organization and Kwame Brown of the Lakers.

posted by BornIcon at 07:37 AM on January 18, 2008

Again, your missing the point. It didn't matter if she expected it or not. It didn't matter if it bothered her. What mattered was the fans who were there didn't know any of that and still booed her. It was 100% tasteless and 0% tactful. It showed zero class. So in other words - what matters is the way you feel about it, and to hell with the reactions of anyone involved. And it's the rest of us who don't get it. She should've popped her jersey to all 4 sides of the stadium and given the universal gesture for 'Bring it On' (which, I believe, would have been to hold up a Florida ballot from the 2004 election).

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:39 AM on January 18, 2008

I just don't see how "[t]he world could use more people like her..." just for being booed. Which isn't even close to what he suggested. I took it to mean more people who can laugh off the crassness of others.

posted by yerfatma at 07:44 AM on January 18, 2008

Oh relax, seriously now. I wasn't trying to make it personal, I was just commenting on other posts I've seen from lbb on other Sports Filter blogs to other people. I'd say that's pretty much the definition of "making it personal". I've been known to pursue a point, but I don't think you can say that I have a history of insisting that other people "still don't get it" because they look at a situation like the one discussed in this thread and disagree with me about its significance. Feel free to post specific citations if you feel I'm wrong about that.

posted by lil_brown_bat at 08:08 AM on January 18, 2008

So in other words - what matters is the way you feel about it, and to hell with the reactions of anyone involved. I'm not sure that's how I feel about it. I guess the best way to put this to rest is to state your position, point blank, no gray area. You feel any sports fan should boo a kid because, after all, the kid is playing a sport, the kid is in the arena of the visiting team, and every kid in that situation wants to be, or can handle being booed (especially a 14 year old, apparently)? If that's your opinion, then even though I don't agree with it, I support your right to feel that way. My point thoughout this whole thing is only to find out a bit more about any particular person compelled to boo and heckle a young kid. It's not about who gets it and who doesn't (and it's not really about this particular kid), because, as many have said, it's something that would probably happen in many stadiums. I personally have never had the urge come upon me to boo a kid, whatever the situation. All my friends who go to professional sporting events of all sorts don't do that. I just want to know more about the thought processes of people who would do this. I guess I'm just trying to figure out what, if anything, is off-limits to sports fans when it comes to supporting your team.

posted by dyams at 08:16 AM on January 18, 2008

WOW, people can get uptight around here. Get a grip guys.

posted by B10 at 08:25 AM on January 18, 2008

I'm just having a conversation, B10. Who do you feel needs to get a grip? If this conversation isn't something you feel like being involved in anymore, there are others going on.

posted by dyams at 08:59 AM on January 18, 2008

I wasn't referring to you. You're last post was very good actually.

posted by B10 at 09:01 AM on January 18, 2008

I wasn't referring to you. You're last post was very good actually.

posted by B10 at 09:01 AM on January 18, 2008

Thanks, dude.

posted by dyams at 09:08 AM on January 18, 2008

Which isn't even close to what he suggested. I took it to mean more people who can laugh off the crassness of others. And as you can tell, I took it differently.

posted by BornIcon at 09:46 AM on January 18, 2008

It really seems to me that some folks out there just go around looking for something to get mad about. I was at that game, and while no one in the section I was sitting in actually booed her. Everyone (including the girl) got a laugh out of it and seemed to take it in the spirit in which it was intended. I think I speak for 99% of Colts fans and RCA Dome regulars when I say that we welcome anyone in our house whether or not they happen to be rooting for the Colts. But don't expect to get out of there without having a little harmless fun poked at you. I think that would be true of any stadium in the country. There were several Chargers fans sitting near us during that game and everyone had a good time poking fun at one another and watching the game. Get over it already!!

posted by indycoltsfan at 10:38 PM on January 18, 2008

And let's not forget, this is the RCA Dome. Dungy probably had those boos piped in!

posted by indycoltsfan at 10:50 PM on January 18, 2008

ahh, good one, indy!

posted by Goyoucolts at 11:01 PM on January 18, 2008

And may I say, welcome to SportsFilter.

posted by Goyoucolts at 11:02 PM on January 18, 2008

And as you can tell, I took it differently. Right, but the way you took it was incorrect and requires an almost willful misunderstanding to get there.

posted by yerfatma at 08:26 AM on January 19, 2008

It really seems to me that some folks out there just go around looking for something to get mad about. Do you really think that's a valid characterization of people who saw a kid being booed at a PPK award ceremony and thought, "Wow, that's kinda messed up"?

posted by lil_brown_bat at 05:27 PM on January 19, 2008

Do you really think that's a valid characterization of people who saw a kid being booed at a PPK award ceremony and thought, "Wow, that's kinda messed up"? I admit, I have a different point of view, having been there. If I had just watched it on TV, I might have thought differently. However, I don't believe a soul in that place meant any harm, and It's obvious that the little girl didn't take offense to it. This whole incident was blown way out of proportion by a bunch of people who only saw a 10 second blurb on sports center. Was it in poor taste? Of course it was. But it wasn't exactly a hearty chorus of boos raining down for 5 minutes like some want to believe. In fact, more people were applauding her than were booing her jersey. If it had been an Indianapolis fan in New England, you all know it would have been the same result. And it would have been expected.

posted by indycoltsfan at 07:46 PM on January 19, 2008

B10, I can see your frustraton coming out, I'm a tranplanted Michigan guy form Indianapolis, and a die hard Big 10 football fan, for that matter I am a big Wings , Tigers, and Pistons fan, BUT for you to call Indy Fans "Big Asses" for someone wearing their biggest rivals jersey into their arena at a game with such meaning I think is not only a mis-statement, but shows your jealousy in regard to who you root for locally.WHO REALLY CARES. Anyone who is still loyal to the Lions after their 50 history is a true blue frustrated fan. Maybe it's just that the Colts have had 10 times the success as a franchise(since moving to Indy) in a third of the time than the Lions will ever have. I saw the girl interviewed the day after the game and she said there were many people coming up to her after the game to say to her it was the jersey not her, and she said she was not bothered by it at all. But I guess when you are a fan of the Lions you have to take your bad feelings out on somebody. OH, I forgot, that the Lions have that superstar QB who lead the league in picks or close to it. Whose the choker? If I were you I wouldn't make any negative comments about any NFL team until you get a team to root for. That may happen in the next 50 years.MAYBE!

posted by sportnut at 10:12 AM on January 21, 2008

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