No Cheering In The Press Box

Life is full of unwritten rules. Don't talk with your mouth full. Open the door for a lady. Don't let your dog kiss your mouth (really people, it is gross as Fido has tongue bathed his nether regions for about 40 minutes before you arrived home). You get the drift. I almost forgot one: No cheering in the press box. Ever. How did this come about?

I understand that many of these individuals are working. They are diligently paying attention (OK, some of them are) to the game/event before them as they have a deadline. I have to ask, though. When did sitting along press row become the equivalent to gracing sacred ground? Is it like talking in the back swing of Tiger Woods? Is the Stevie Williams of press row going to come relocate your camera into the ocean, point to security, and have you disposed of in a concise, pithy way?

Is this one of those "it's always been done this way" so we must stick with it type rules? Shouldn't the beat writer for the Longhorns be emphatically overjoyed when they whip the Sooners in Dallas? Um, apparently not. That writer needs to bite his or her tongue. So, let me get this straight: You've been a Longhorn fan (OK fine, insert another team other than the Sooners if it makes you feel better, no cheering for them ever) for many years, Vince Young crosses the goal line on 4th and 5 with the championship on the line, and you are supposed to contain your emotions? This is sports...not chess.

If you want unemotional dolts manning the press box, grab the older version of the kids from MTV's Skins. They are as "un-emo" as one could get. Otherwise, what is the freaking problem? Are all sports writers so thin skinned they cannot handle a little cheering and complaining while they are eating working? Is it actually that distracting? What, the stat sheets, instant replays, and gobs of supplemental materials do not cover everything for you? Or, are you offended as a Red Sox fan that when NY is in town, they whip your ass, and there is a reaction similar to a fan by a member of the NY media? Are they celebrating on "your turf?"

When did the wussification of America overtake the press box? Depeche Mode was right: People are people. Conform or be ostracized. Learn the ropes or be shown the door. This is the same reason why some men don't cry. It was what their tough ole' daddy taught 'em. Emotions are part of who we are. The North Korean Army is unemotional. When good things happen at your job, you should celebrate those things...even if it means cheering on the home team, or the visiting team for that matter. Just don't check your emotions at the door. The world has enough politicians. Be a fan. Your columns and readership will thank you for it.