GQ magazine, which chose Duke basketball fans as the eighth worse in sports, uses graphic descriptions and foul language to blast fans who blast others. While it’s hard to argue with the inclusion of most fans on the list, the article is kinda like hearing one of the “Housewives of Orange County” talk trash about another one.
Los Angeles Lakers’ fans are described as “Starf*ckers” except without the “*.” Oakland Raiders fans are stereotyped as “criminals.” Philadelphia Eagles and Phillies fans are called “savages.” And Duke fans are considered “dicks.”
Here’s what GQ has to say about the “Silver-spoon bullies” otherwise known as Duke fans: “Duke fans who complain that everyone hates them because they’re too good are like cheerleaders who complain that everyone hates them because they’re too pretty. Sorry, princess! Soaked with arrogance (and Dick Vitale tongue baths), the Dukies have hit NC State with the chant ‘If you can’t go to college, go to State!’ while UNC has gotten the blunter ‘We’re smart! You’re dumb!’ This from the crowd who interminably claim to be the classiest in all of basketball. Here’s what the most reviled fans in college sports don’t understand: When everyone already resents you for being a perennial national champion, brainstorming new ways to make fun of people doesn’t make you clever. It makes you a dick.”
A lot of people probably agree with that assessment – and it actually could have included acts more classless than that. But I thought it was funny that GQ disputes Duke fans’ claim that they are disliked because they are “too good” but then admits that people resent Duke “for being a perennial national champion.” By the way, the Blue Devils are not perennial national champions – yet.
I also don’t hear Duke fans claim they are the classiest in all of basketball. The author might be confusing Duke fans with Carolina fans. (By the way, when Dean Smith was coach and didn’t allow signs, waving behind baskets and personal chants against players, Carolina fans were the classiest yet they were loud and supportive of their team. But they have fallen victim to trying to out-Duke Duke.)
The worse fans from 15th to 1st, GQ says, are Los Angeles Lakers, Oregon basketball, Wisconsin football, Dallas Cowboys, Montreal Canadiens, LSU football, New York Yankees, Duke basketball, Penn State football, Boston Red Sox, Maryland basketball, Oakland Raiders, West Virginia Mountaineers, and tied for first are the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies.
Those appearing on the list aren’t big surprises but the order is somewhat surprising. For instance, Red Sox fans “worse” than Yankees fans? Do you have others that might have appeared on the list?