Yesterday afternoon on 610 WIP, G. Cobb and Steve Martorano discussed "Negadelphia". My take? Negadelphia is more positive than one would think.
Philadelphia fans are known for booing at the drop of a pass and for harsh criticism of their teams through media outlets. That is indeed the case, regardless of whether you believe the stereotype is warranted. I think the stereotype is undoubtedly warranted, even if it is due to some "squeaky wheels" rather than a true majority of the fans.
Personally, I do not think that is a bad thing necessarily, though I have never myself been one to boo at any sporting event. To the contrary, the boos and the harsh criticism are part of what makes Philadelphia sports culture what it is, which is ultimately very positive. But for those negative aspects that are often highlighted by national media outlets such as ESPN, Philly would be viewed as just another sports town longing for a championship. We wouldn't want that now, would we?
The negativity which is highlighted and exploited by the media allows Philly fans to be part of something greater than and different from fans of other cities. The shared "suffering" is something that binds Philly fans together. If you're outside of the Philadelphia area and you see someone wearing Eagle green or the Phillies' "P", you feel like you know something about that person. You feel like that person knows the frustration you've felt over the years. Further, when people who are fans of other teams see someone representing a Philly team, they see a negative, but very passionate sports fan who sticks by his (or her) teams but will not mince words when criticizing the teams they love.
Even those Philly fans who aren't nearly as negative as others enjoy the negativity as entertainment. I sure do. I've always liked listening to calls to 610 WIP at times when I knew the Negadelphians would be flooding the lines with Negadelphism. Whenever Pat Burrell, Donovan McNabb, Charlie Manuel, or Andy Reid screws up, I tune in immediately because I know that I'm about to hear some entertaining, if not well thought out, criticisms. Actually, in Donovan's case, he need not screw up in order to draw criticism – usually smiling on the sideline or throwing up is enough of a spark to get the negative juices flowing.
The negativity, from the booing to the blasts from talk radio, is something to be experienced and relished by every Philly fan. I have one good college friend who is an Eagles fan from Toronto. His trip to Philly in December of last year, which was his first time Philly during football season, was like a pilgrimage to a holy city, much due to the well-known stereotype of negativity given to the city and its sports fans. His favorite part of that pilgrimage was listening to talk radio callers talk about how Jeff Garcia is on par with the team's injured franchise quarterback (something that would not be heard anywhere else in North America) and hearing Howard Eskin rip the 76ers and ask a "genius" if he's "done yet" before hanging up on him.
My friend loved it, and I can't blame him, because I enjoy it as well. Philly in general enjoys it too, and it should. My college friend doesn’t have the luxury of experiencing it all first hand all year long. The rest of us do and we should not take it for granted.
Now, this isn't an endorsement of all the Negadelphism that we experience during each and every sports season. I'll be sure to speak up when I disagree with much of what is being said. But regardless of disagreement, I and the rest of the sports world will continue be entertained by and in some ways admire the unique (and fun) sports culture of Negadelphia.
