Here Is Why In Sports, There Are NO "Untouchables"

As Fans (Like THIS Guy), We Have the Right
To Criticize ANY Player

Its only been a few short days since the Penguins early exit in the Eastern Conference Finals, but it doesn't take a fan base long to voice their displeasure over the outcome of the series.  On Twitter knee jerk reactions abound...everything from trading Crosby, Malkin, Letang, AND Fleury to simply start anew.  Other ideas are firing Byslma, the entire coaching staff, and Ray Shero.  I have enjoyed having LOGICAL conversations with Penguins fans in regards to potential moves that could be made.  Trading Fleury is a move that although make sense, I doubt will happen.  Moving Kris Letang is something I COULD see happen, believe it or not.  The moves the Penguins make in the future are debatable, and I will save all of my thoughts on the Free Agents this team has for another article.  What surprised me the most was seeing how some fans  refused to put any blame on Sidney Crosby...mainly because not only is he the captain, but arguably the best player on the planet.  Look, I get it, he is the "golden boy".  The "kid" that saved hockey in Pittsburgh and has the Penguins as one of the fastest and largest growing fan bases in all of hockey.  Nonetheless, just because a player totes a 'C' on his sweater, and is touted as the greatest in the game...doesn't mean he is an "Untouchable".  No, in my opinion, no player on any team or in any sport are "Untouchables".

What do I mean by "Untouchables"?  I am not suggesting that I think Sidney Crosby should be traded for having one bad series.  What I am talking about is the fact that just because he is the captain, the leader on the team, and a potential Hart Trophy winner doesn't mean he is immune to harsh criticism like all the other players.  The same sentiment can be made for all of the Pittsburgh sports teams.  Before Ben Roethlisberger got into his "off the field" issues, Steelers fans NEVER blamed #7.  In Ben's rookie season, the '04-'05 season, Big Ben literally threw away the Steelers chances at beating the Patriots in the AFC Championship Game at Heinz Field by throwing a crucial red zone INT was returned by Rodney Harrison (of all people) for a TD...many fans didn't want to point the finger at Big Ben.  SOME even blamed Jerame Tuman for running a bad route when CLEARLY Ben under threw the route which led to the pick-6.  I must say that after Ben's off-field issues he has become more of an easy target and SteelerNation's venom does spew his way more often than before.  The "Untouchable" tag has even spread to the Pirates, believe it or not.  Andrew McCutchen is the closest thing the Pirates have had to a superstar since Barry Bonds left Three Rivers Stadium for San Francisco.  Because of that, people are extremely hesitant to point out some obvious flaws in "Cutch's" game.  McCutchen is a solid hitter, but this season has shown that he isn't going to opposite field as much as earlier in his career.  Opposing teams are even putting the shift on him to increase their odds of getting #22 out.  McCutchen is an above average fielder, but as you've seen at times this season, he can have his issues.

What I'm trying to say is that FANS shouldn't get offensive if other fans call out a player, even if its the team's best player, the superstar, and your all-time favorite player.  First, they aren't talking about you so why you take offense to comments is beyond me.  Second, these guys are "big boys" and should be able to handle criticism.  If they can't, then they certainly got into the wrong occupation.  Lastly, as fans, we pay money in merchandise, seat licenses, season tickets, and the ungodly beer prices...just to name a few.  Therefore, we hold the right to cheer, boo, and criticize as much as we want.  It is OUR right as fans.  I realize it has to be difficult as a player, but at the same time, you have to take the good with the bad.  Just because a fan says "Sidney Crosby had the worst series of his career and needs to step up his game." Does NOT equal "Sidney Crosby is a lousy player and we should trade him immediately."  Thats why in sports, there should be no "untouchables" from the public / fans criticism.