EudoraNews.com

The Eudora High School football team has advanced further in the state playoffs than anytime in its history. This accomplishment should be a matter of pride for the community. For the vast majority of Cardinals fans, it is. But unfortunately as is all-to-often the case in sports there is a small percentage of fans who can't enjoy a sporting event for what it is.

Paradoxically, losing or the threat of losing becomes harder to accept the more success a team enjoys. Again, most fans can accept this with shouts of encouragement during games or a few tears and sleepless nights replaying key downs after losses.

But, there are fans who can only handle the emotion negatively. Despite the fact that their demonstrated expertise can be found in the form of fading letter jackets hanging in the back of closets, they feel free to criticize players, officials or coaches. That may be acceptable at a Chiefs game, if the language doesn't become profane, but it is out of place at a high school event.

Unfortunately, some people don't seem to learn by the good example of those sitting around them. It is perhaps time we tell them how they should behave. Everyone in the stands some with much more at stake than unruly fans has a right to enjoy the game.

For our part, we celebrate the team's unprecedented accomplishments and understand the effort, teamwork and the sacrifices that made them possible. That work shouldn't be belittled by disparaging remarks aimed at players or coaches. We know the team will acquaint itself well Friday. We hope all fans can work together to do the same.