Stuffing a stadium for a sporting event frequently brings out the worst. The bounds of good taste are regularly ignored by fans, who often think the purchase of a ticket gives them the right to be a blight on society.
Sometimes drunk individuals hurl vulgar insults or dangerous objects.
Sometimes college students mock players who have endured serious personal problems - a death in the family, etc. - with vicious chants.
What is and isn't proper in these settings can depend on the ear of the listener. Every American, however, must have been appalled by the words of Mexican soccer fans after an Olympic qualifying match between Mexico and the United States on Tuesday in Guadalajara.
According to the Associated Press, "As U.S. players left the stadium for their bus, several fans - some clutching beers - chanted "Osama! Osama!' in reference to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden."
Surely many Mexicans also were offended by such behavior. And a handful of drunks don't represent a significant part of the population.
This much is certain: Big sporting events tend to evoke boorish behavior, and the folks in Guadalajara that day established a new standard for imbecilic sports fans around the world.
Rave: Lewis is a champ we don't want to see fight again
Lennox Lewis achieved the near-unattainable last week: a legendary heavyweight champion who retired on top, with faculties and image intact.
It is the second mind-blowing feat Lewis has pulled off. The first was proving personal dignity and boxing aren't mutually exclusive.
Sure, Lewis always has been a little full of himself, not quite as good as he thinks. He didn't fight the greats of his era - Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and Riddick Bowe - while they were in their professional primes, though it's impossible to determine if Lewis avoided them or vice versa.
But think about those names: Tyson? Absolute loon. Holyfield? Devolved into a human punching bag. Bowe? Sadly demented.
Then there's Lewis, a near-great champion for a long period of time, a smart and engaging person who is interesting beyond boxing - and scandal-free.
Lewis is one of the top 10 but not top five heavyweights ever because he was susceptible to the one-punch knockout. It happened in losses to palookas Oliver McCall and Hasim Rahman, a journeyman Lewis faced while embarrassingly flabby.
His only two defeats, he humiliated both in rematches. And he got out on his own terms, as champion, unique in boxing.
If Lewis can do one more thing, he will go in the Rave Hall of Fame: Stay retired.
