Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1482664
N O V E M B E R 2 0 2 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M J ames Franklin took the route his detractors didn't. Asked to share his reaction to a swath of home fans booing sixth-year senior quarterback Sean Clifford during the introduction of starters before the Minnesota game at Beaver Stadium, Franklin said he had "no response" to make publicly. Judging by his annoyed demeanor, his response in a more private setting likely would have been another matter. To clarify the context of the situation for those who didn't attend the Oct. 22 White Out game: A 5-1, 16th-ranked Penn State team hosted Minnesota for the annual showcase tilt at home. With the Lions coming off a 41-17 thrashing at No. 5 Michigan the weekend prior, dissatisfaction was brewing — not just with Clifford, but also with the state of a program that had suffered another big-game defeat. Clifford had exited the loss to the Wol- verines in the fourth quarter due to what Franklin described as an injury sustained in the game. The quarterback's absence from throwing drills on Wednesday built on the speculation that Drew Allar, Penn State's heralded five-star true freshman quarterback, would get his first career start against the Gophers. But Clifford dressed and participated in pregame warmups, and it appeared as though he was in line to make his 40th career start. With about 20 minutes remaining before kickoff, the Beaver Stadium video boards confirmed that reality. Clifford, like all of his other starting teammates, introduced himself personally in a recorded clip. The response within the stadium was unmistakable. Boos rained down on the playing field, grabbing the attention of many of the Nittany Lions. "I wasn't really anticipating it," trans- fer receiver Mitchell Tinsley said. "It was kind of surprising that it was that loud, that ferocious, especially toward one person. He is just trying to help his team win to the best of his ability." Clifford noticed, too. Saying in the postgame that fans were free to think what they wanted and that he would continue to give his heart and soul to the team every time he plays, Clifford worked to downplay the event. That didn't prevent teammates from taking up the cause on his behalf, though, and a conversation regarding fan behavior ensued. Arguments for and against the practice run the gamut. Some say booing should be an expected reality in big-time college athletics, especially now that some play- ers are being compensated via name, im- age and likeness deals. Others insist that the age of those participants, largely still teenagers and young twentysomethings, should serve as a shield against it. The issue need not be so convoluted, though. Without casting aspersions, the equation for fan behavior toward competitors should be simple: Do unto others. Or, maybe more appropriately, if you wouldn't like the behavior personally, or directed toward your son or daughter, the internal compass ought to be easy enough to keep in mind. Highly paid coaches and administra- tors, or visiting competitors might re- quire a separate designation or standard for some. And yet, the principle itself still should carry the day more often than not — if not for character reasons, then at least for practicality. Applied to Clifford specifically, the reality in the final month of the season is that the Minnesota game wasn't the final time the home crowd will have to weigh its treatment of him. The underlying excitement toward Allar isn't going away, and it shouldn't; he's got a bright future. Showering Clif- ford with praise and adoration, should his performance decline, also wouldn't necessarily be warranted. Still, the question must be asked: How does booing a quarterback, one al- ready announced as the game's starter, help his performance? For fans presum- ably hoping for a win, in what way does the action further those ends? Clifford's career history is wrapped up in Penn State's recent football per- formances. His play has contributed to the outcomes of the Nittany Lions' 4-5 season in 2020 and 7-6 campaign in 2021. His decision to return for a sixth and final season has led to some fatigue among Penn State fans. Any evaluation of Clifford's perfor- mance this season was always going to be influenced by the baggage accompa- nying an atypically lengthy playing ca- reer. That Allar has arrived on the scene only amplifies the desire among some fans to move on. Against the Gophers, Clifford com- pleted 23 of 31 passes for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns. The lesson of that game should be clear. Passionate fans create a world in which Penn State's players can thrive, but there is an equally passionate underside. Its existence comes as no sur- prise and, in many ways, is understood. Still, with a few weeks to go and plenty to still play for, the high road is the one worth taking. ■ Booed during pregame warmups, Sean Clifford went on to throw for 295 yards and 4 touchdowns against Minnesota. PHOTO BY DANIEL ALTHOUSE O P I N I O N NATE BAUER NATE.BAUER@ON3.COM HOT READ Booing Shows The Underside Of Passionate Fandom