Football is supposed to incite passions, just ask any Eagles fan worth his or her salt.
But that passion has to have limits, and certainly two incidents this week indicate some people recognizing where that line is.
First we had a preliminary hearing for a youth football coach from Claymont. Lawrence Simpson is charged with attacking a rival coach from the Chichester Crusaders. Lamar Shaw suffered serious injuries in the attack, which occurred in full view of the kids involved in these two programs.
If that wasn't bad enough, you had the always heated rivalry between Interboro and Ridley. Their Thanksgiving clash is a revered tradition for both schools and their alums.
But it turned ugly this year after the game, a 12-0 victory for Interboro. That's when police allege an inebriated Interboro fan attacked a player from Ridley.
This wasn't a fight between two fans. It was one fan taking on a member of the Ridley team. David Gillen now faces serious assault charges.
Let's be clear. Neither one of these incidents is representative of most fans and coaches. But it is further proof of how quickly our shared passion for sports can spiral out of control.
It's a game. One meant to be played by kids.
And too often ruined by adults.
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