It does not take cojones at all to go on an internet board and post something incendiary on the board of another team. There is an ethic to fandom, and many teams fans “get it”. Others, not so much. It’s the reason that one group of fans (Chiefs fans, say) hate another (Raiders fans, for instance). Chief fan believes that Raiders fan is permanently guilty of transgressions of this ethic.

This post is unfortunate on several levels. On the whole, I believe the bulk of MU fans are cut of a very classy cloth. Even in the wake of huge victories, any face-rubbing that may occur is usually in reaction to pre-taunting from another fan base. (Compare reactions from MU fans after the MU-kU game at MU last year vs. kU reactions after the reverse fixture at kU) Also, it is unfortunate for RMN because the powers that be and the frequent posters have built a well-deserved and well-respected reputation on SB Nation. Unfortunately, unless there are admin tools I don’t know about, we cannot conclusively rule out that it was a RMN poster (most likely a fringe poster)… which is even more disappointing.

Lastly, as mitch cumstein points out, there is the superstition part of the equation. Kenny Rogers said, “You never count your money/when you’re sittin’ at the table/there’ll be time enough for countin’/when the dealin’s done.” I am a very superstitious fan with regards to this principal in particular… I’m the guy that when my team has a sizable lead quiets the guy standing next to me when he says “it’s in the bag!” no matter how much time is on the clock. Truly, I guess there is no way that a statement or post or chatter can affect the outcome of a game… but I remember clearly members of the CMSU Marching Mules starting the “Overrated” chant when we were leading Pitt State by a large margin in the second half some number of years back… I felt at the time it was too early and tried to stop it (to no avail!) and guess who won. Granted this is a larger and more vocal example that can more directly affect the game… but it was a lesson, and we got what we deserved for not being classy. Even if you don’t believe in that idea, I believe that it’s part of the ethics of fandom to respect that for everyone else. Boo to that person in general. Boo to that person that they seemingly created that handle specifically to perpetrate that post (1 post and 1 comment, both on Corn Nation). Boo for folks that are not classy fans.

…with who I’m able to watch Mizzou games with overall. I can never do it with casual fans or at a bar. It’s pretty much my wife (because she stays quiet, heh) and The Beef, because we share the same brain. It’s like Beefy said last night when the morons around us were…well, being REALLY moronic, “I don’t think I’m going to come to any more games. At home, I can control my surroundings.” He was (partially) joking obviously, but…yeah. I’m in my own head during games and really can’t take people around me not being on the same wavelength. You are not alone, Mr. Cumstein. Granted, you’re talking about jinxes and I’m talking about people’s reactions in general, but I think we’re pretty close to the same there.