To boo, or not to boo, that is the question:
Booing is all the rage at the moment.
Be it wrongful, shameful or just part of the game, fans and the media simply can’t get enough of booing, over analyzing booing, captains/coaches imploring people, not to boo and some people think they can stop crowds booing.
Let’s face it, when it comes to being at a sporting event – we all love a good boo.
Sport is pantomime and booing has been happening since the days of Roman Gladiators, if not before that.
With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of some of the all-time great booing.
Wayne Rooney – England World Cup 2010
Many expected England to do well at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
They didn’t and when England drew 0-0 to Algeria in a group game, the English fans voiced their displeasure at the outcome by booing them off the ground.
Skipper Wayne Rooney didn’t take it well and ranted directly at the camera pointed at this face “Nice to see your home fans boo you, that’s loyal supporters.”
It wasn’t received well by English fans and media back home and Rooney later apologised for his comments after they were eliminated by Germany 4-1 in the Round of 16.
Sir John Kerr – Melbourne Cup 1977
Two years after dismissing Gough Whitlam’s Labor government as part of a “constitutional crisis” the then governor-general Sir John Kerr was invited to the Melbourne Cup and part of the presentation.
It’s fair to say the crowd was full of Gough/Labor supporters that didn’t like him and that Sir John may have enjoyed a fair bit of the sponsor’s product.
LeBron James Returns to Cleveland
Once Cleveland’s favourite son, LeBron James announced on TV that he was making the move to Miami to pursue better opportunities within the NBA.
Think the Cavs fans took it well?
Of course, they didn’t!
He returned to Cleveland in 2014-2018, but at the time he was despised and this could easily be the all-time moment of booing in the history of sports.
Scott Pendlebury/Nathan Buckley – ANZAC Day 2019
A controversial umpiring decision resulting in Essendon losing the ANZAC Day game against Collingwood back in April resulted in Bombers fans voicing their displeasure.
The post-game presentation was rushed to ensure the host broadcasters news started on time at 6 pm resulting in Scott Pendlebury being subject to booing.
Nathan Buckley responded with “Shame on anyone who booed a champion”.
This is the Collingwood coach we are talking about here.
Pot. Kettle. Black and White.
"Shame on anyone that booed a champion."
– Nathan Buckley#AFLDonsPies pic.twitter.com/HOsJ04zz7p
— 7AFL (@7AFL) April 25, 2019
Gary Ablett
If you read the newspapers or watch some of the Footy shows at the moment, you’d think that Gary Ablett is the first player to be booed at an AFL Game.
It’s also clearly having an impact given that he’s dominating on the field and a vital cog in the Cats top form at the moment.
Cats skipper Patrick Dangerfield put things in perspective about this “scandal” on Channel 7’s “Talking Footy”
Patrick Dangerfield: "The Adam Goodes situation is far different to what Gary's been through."#TalkingFooty pic.twitter.com/WuTTM9PqqX
— 7AFL (@7AFL) June 10, 2019
Justin Bieber at the NY Knicks game
It’s fair to say that back in 2011, the New York Knicks crowd at Madison Square Garden were not Beliebers.
A young, teenage Bieber was shown on the jumbotron during a break of a Knicks game and was roundly booed by the crowd.
Is it too late for them to say sorry?
Steve Smith/Virat Kohli
It was expected that the return of Steve Smith and David Warner wasn’t going to be friendly amongst the Cricket crowds.
Enter Virat Kohli.
He implored the Indian fans giving it to Smith to stop and for the Cricket community in general to forgive them.
That’s right, Virat Kohli.
These are indeed strange times we are living in.
https://twitter.com/_JustinStevens_/status/1137904596934832129
“If I was in a position where something had happened with me, and I’d apologised and accepted it, and came back and still I would get booed, I wouldn’t like it either.”#ViratKohli on why he asked the fans to stop booing Steve Smith. #CWC19 | #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/CIMicjoSA0
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) June 9, 2019
Booing…with Added Beer Cans at Lang Park
The old Lang Park crowd didn’t muck around back in the day.
Especially when King Wally Lewis was sent off in Game 2 of the 1988 State of Origin.
The crowd not only booed, but they also went all the way and chucked their XXXX beer cans on the ground to voice their displeasure.
ICYMI: Some Lang Park moments in the lead up to tonight's game. pic.twitter.com/3zofMDCcaD
— The FAN (@fanfoxleague) July 10, 2018
Mr.Burns at the Springfield Film Festival
When the town of Springfield decided to put on a film festival, local businessmen C. Montgomery Burns decided to make a film.
Thinking the audience would love it, Mr.Burns assistant Smithers assured him that the crowd was not booing him but they were saying “Booourns”
Every WWE event ever
Could you imagine if the WWE wanted to stamp out booing in favour of a nicer, family-friendly atmosphere at the wrestling?
The “sport” would cease to exist, but at least the crowds know how to get into it.