Falcon Points

ESPN Poll says most fans favor sports with no fans. To the rest of you? Shame bell

ESPN Poll says most fans favor sports with no fans. To the rest of you? Shame bell
Photo by Getty Images.

So ESPN did a poll on how people feel about sports without fans. Shocker! Of those surveyed, 24 percent said no, they are against it.

Those 24 percent are what we respectfully call "dumbs." If the choice is no fans or no sports, there is no choice.

Like a lot of things in the Ronaverse, life has changed. What we consider "normal" has changed. How can anyone say they don't want sports even if fans can't attend?

The reality is, we would take what we can get. There is no perfect solution. We all want things to get back to normal as fast as possible. The problem is there is no normal anymore. And there may never be again.

Yes, the leagues will have to be safe, implement testing and all other sorts of precautions. But as fans, can we not root from TV just as hard as we do in person?

I get the need to be with people to support your team. I truly miss being in the stands for Roughneck games or UH football or basketball games. I would kill to get to see the Toronto Maple Leafs in person again or go to Regina for a Saskatchewan Rough Riders game. However, that is just not in the cards anytime soon.

But would I love to see those teams on TV? Absolutely. If we have learned anything from this mess, it is that sports is our ultimate escape. As fans, we can come together for a few hours to celebrate the wins, and vent about the horrible coaching decisions that led to losses. (Well, Texans fans can do that).

Sports might not be truly vital, but it is something that gives us a community. And as the world becomes more virtual, is it really that difficult to sit back and watch from a distance? Comment in real time on Twitter? Can we not still be a part of things?

No, it isn't perfect. But this stopped being a perfect world the day the leagues shut down. To that 24 percent, I simply believe you aren't really fans, or you are so paranoid that you believe no on should leave the house. Count me in the 76 percent; if it can be done safely, let's play games, with or without fans.

The world is changing. Let's change with it.

New direction for SportsMap

If you missed the on air announcement, Josh Jordan is now editor of SportsMap. He has been assistant editor as we have grown this site into an absolute monster. He will continue to take it to the next level. This allows me to write more, as well as focus on some new projects at Gow Media.

Josh is a sharp young man who has earned this opportunity and will do great things. I can think of no one better to take over a site we have put our hearts and souls into building. Thanks to everyone who has become part of the SportsMap community. Things only get bigger and better from here.


Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM
The Astros beat the Phillies, 2-1. Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images.

Cam Smith hit an RBI single in the eighth inning to give the Houston Astros a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday.

The rookie's second hit of the game came off Orion Kerkering (5-3) and gave the Astros their fourth straight win.

Brandon Marsh tied the game on a sacrifice fly in the top of the inning to end the Phillies' 26-inning scoreless streak.

The Astros took a 1-0 lead on Yainer Diaz’s RBI single in the second inning. They only managed three more hits off Phillies starter Christopher Sanchez, who struck out 11 with zero walks over six innings. Sanchez has not issued a walk in three straight starts.

Hunter Brown lowered his league best ERA to 1.74 by scattering three singles over seven shutout innings, with nine strikeouts. He did not allow a runner to reach second base.

Bryan Abreu (3-3) struck out Trea Turner to end the eighth, and then struck out Kyle Schwarber, Alec Bohm, and Nick Castellanos in the ninth.

Abreu joined Julia Morales after the game and talked about his impressive performance!

Rafael Marchán had two of the Phillies' four hits. Bryson Stott reached base twice and scored the Phillies' lone run.

Key moment

Smith’s RBI.

Key stat

Brown’s 1.74 ERA is the fourth best in Astros history through 16 starts and the best since Justin Verlander posted a 1.60 ERA through 16 starts in 2018.

Up next

The Astros open a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday with LHP Brandon Walter (0-1 3.80 ERA) on the mound.

The Phillies open a three-game series at the Braves on Friday with RHP Mick Abel (2-1 3.47 ERA) against Atlanta RHP Bryce Elder (2-4 4.77).

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome