I am a long-suffering ex-Leaf fan who is suddenly realizing Leaf fans are the dumbest people in the world. I have been following the Leafs since the ’93 season, when they had that miraculous drive to the finals only to lose to Gretzky and the Kings in the Western Conference finals.
Since then, I have been the biggest Leaf supporter in the world. Forgive me for using the infamous cliché, “I bleed blue and white.” I’ve had every player memorized, from the good old days of whipping boy Larry Murphy to the worst Leaf bust, Brandon Convery. Year after year I have watched the Leafs falter in their quest for Lord Stanley’s Mug. In the last couple of years, the team has teased us with admirable performances in the playoffs, but ultimately come up short.
Thank god I haven’t been following the Leafs since 1967 (the last time they won the Cup) or I’d be one miserable dude. Yet despite the team’s stinking, many Torontonians follow them religiously.
Here’s a common scenario: some middle class Joe working hard from 9-5 having to shell out his hard-earned cash to see a Leaf game with his son, where tickets can range anywhere from $50-300. And we’re only talking about the nosebleed sections. God knows they can’t afford the luxury seats that are only given to corporate shmoozes who don’t know a damn thing about hockey (you know, the ones on TV wearing Armani suits, eating sushi during the game and clapping politely when the Leafs score).
Of course our average Joe also has to purchase the souvenir guide (outrageously priced at $10) and perhaps a Leaf jersey, which can cost about $200. It all adds up to around $500. Not bad for the owners, who are making a killing off a team that hasn’t proved itself for 30 years.
So why are Leaf fans so ignorant and empty-headed? Do you really think the Leafs are interested in winning? Bringing back Doug Gilmour, who’s 38 years old, sounds more like a business move than a tactical move to improve the team. You can bet the owners were hearing cash registers ringing, hoping Leaf fans update their wardrobe with more Gilmour jerseys.
Have Leaf fans not realized the propaganda TML has been feeding us for the last couple of decades? The club is not interested in winning. Fans have to stop showing up for games, and prove to Leaf management that they will not stand for an inferior product or forever suffer heartbreak season after season.
Michael Chan
