Cleveland Cavaliers head coach J.B. Bickerstaff showed his true colors as a passionate Eagles fan during the Super Bowl on Sunday. Bickerstaff made it clear that he was not pleased with the referees, stating that he can insult NFL refs without the risk of NBA fines. He joked that he can “kill them (all I want, verbally)” in a post-game interview with Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix.
However, such language can be dangerous, especially when fans may take such comments seriously.
https://twitter.com/SIChrisMannix/status/1625259385495617536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1625259385495617536%7Ctwgr%5E17920cb27945e78c4446fd31c6172d2f862305ac%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.totalprosports.com%2Fnfl%2Fcavs-j-b-bickerstaff-threatened-super-bowl-refs%2F
Bickerstaff’s outrage was sparked by the holding penalty called against James Bradberry while trying to cover Chiefs’ wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster in the final quarter. The play allowed the Chiefs to run out the clock, preventing the Eagles from making a comeback. If the penalty had not been called, the Eagles would have had a chance to tie or win the game.
It was a tough blow to the Eagles, and Bickerstaff’s frustration is understandable.
After the game, Bradberry admitted to holding Smith-Schuster on the play. This admission didn’t change the outcome of the game, but it shows that the penalty was legitimate. Bickerstaff’s anger is still understandable, though his choice of words could have been better. Fans should not be incited to take violent actions against referees, regardless of how frustrated they may be with the outcome of the game.
Despite the loss, the Cleveland Cavs have been having a good season, with a 37-22 record and fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Bickerstaff will undoubtedly continue to be a loyal Eagles fan, but he should be careful with his words in the future, as they may have unintended consequences.
At the end of the day, while it’s understandable for fans and coaches to be upset with referee calls, it’s important to remember that it’s just a game, and everyone should strive to be respectful and sportsmanlike.
