I certainly don't claim to be the smartest person out there. Not even close. But if liking the following story makes me dumb, then I'm happy to be in that group...
So, the Calgary Hitmen had their annual Teddy Bear Toss game last week. Once per season they invite their fans to bring teddy bears to a game (or buy them for $10 at the game with all proceeds going to charity) to toss onto the ice after the first goal is scored. The teddy bears are then gathered up and donated as Christmas presents to those kids who wouldn't otherwise have anything over the Holiday season.
This is not a new concept by any means. It's been going on for many years in the Western Hockey League (WHL). The Calgary Hitmen have just taken it to the next level. This past week the Hitmen fans came armed with enough ammunition that would make the average American high schooler blush. Fans smashed the old toss record with 26,919 teddy bears!!! The team took roughly 4,000 bears and had their players deliver them in person to a local hospital. The remaining bears were split up among the other local charities.
Seems like a nice story, right? Well, if you think this is nice then you must be dumb. According to online blog network Gawker.com this was "one of the two or three dumbest" traditions in the world. Again, call me mentally challenged if you will but I have to think there are several other traditions that are more stupid than donating gifts to under privileged children, no?
Let me see if I can think of any...Throwing snowballs at Santa at Philadelphia Eagle games. Chanting "Asshole" at a sporting event when a call doesn't go your way. Booing the opposing team, just because they are the opposing team. Idolizing d-bag athletes (take your pick: LeBron, T.O., Ocho Cinco, etc.). Throwing rats on the ice (circa mid-90 Florida Panthers).
I'm just a dumb Canadian hockey fan so what do I know. Mark Twain once said that "Everyone has the right to be stupid; some people just abuse the privilege." Congratulations Hitmen fans and dumb Canadians across the world - embrace your stupidity!
Cheers,
LW
