It’s clear that not all members of the New England Patriots share the same view of the team’s fans as Jahlani Tavai.
Tavai got himself in hot water when he criticized the Patriots fan base Friday morning during a radio appearance on WEEI. He said fans should “know their place” when raining down boos on the team or chanting for a coach to be fired, liked Patriots fans did last week in an embarrassing 40-7 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Patriots special teams coordinator Jeremy Springer was asked later in the day about fans getting on the team at Gillette Stadium and Springer gave a lengthy and refreshing answer that differed greatly from Tavai.
“I mean, I always say this, ‘If you don’t want to get shot at, don’t join the Army,'” Springer told reporters, per team-provided video. “I know this profession. I know what it brings. (The Patriots) have had so much success here. I grew up a Dallas Cowboys fan, so as a kid when we weren’t going to the playoffs — when I was a little kid we were going to Super Bowls — I was pissed at the team too when we were losing.
“So, I’m all about the team and the fans, too. There’s people in those stands – and I know because I was a kid once and my parents couldn’t afford to go to football games – they’re expensive tickets. To bring your whole family to the game, that’s $1,000 probably you’re spending in one day. And then to lose like we did, I mean, they’re upset. They’re frustrated. And they should be. We need to put a better product on the field and that’s what our job is.
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“Any time I hear that, I’m like, ‘What can I do better so they’re not doing that next time? What can I do better to be a better coordinator, to be a better coach, to make our players play harder and play better so that we don’t hear that?’ They have every right to do that in my opinion. It’s the sport. It’s the organization. It’s professional sports. If you don’t want to (hear) that, go coach in Alaska for six-man football. Then you won’t hear that because that’s all your family in the stands. But this is different. This is professional football. So, this is the way this goes with society and I’m totally fine with that.”
Unlike Tavai, Springer probably won over fans with his comments. Tavai clarified his remarks, but the damage of what he said was already done, adding to an ugly season for the Patriots.
Tavai certainly could learn a thing or two from Springer as he’s likely to hear boos again Sunday when the Patriots wrap up the regular season against the Buffalo Bills.
Featured image via Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images
