For most of our “Staff Picks” series, the Sports Staff has focused on our favorite things within sports.
While feelings about our favorites may be strong, few feelings outweigh the bitter hatred that fans can have toward their arch-rival teams.
From simple trash talk to Twitter arguments to parking lot brawls, rivalries run deep. So, this week, we’re giving our writers a chance to air their grievances against their least favorite sports teams.
Larry Larson, Sports Section head coach – Green Bay Packers
As a Chicago Bears fan, there are a multitude of reasons to hate the neighbors to the north. But two heartbreaking moments come to mind when I think of games against Green Bay.
It’s Jan. 23, 2011. An 11-year-old Larry is looking on from the couch, hoping his Bears dispatch the Packers to return to the Super Bowl for the second time in five years.
Jay Cutler gets injured. B.J. Raji picks off backup QB Caleb Hanie and returns it for a touchdown to put the Packers up two scores with six minutes to play. Tears may have been shed.
It’s Dec. 29, 2013. The Bears and Packers square off for the final game of the regular season at Soldier Field, with the winner capturing the NFC North title and a playoff spot. Loser stays home for the winter.
Chicago had Green Bay on the ropes, up by a point with 38 seconds to play. The Pack has to convert on 4th and 8 from the Bears 48 yard line to extend their drive. What could go wrong?
Embattled safety Chris Conte blew coverage on Randall Cobb, leaving him wide open downfield for Aaron Rodgers to make the easiest clutch throw of his career for the game-winning touchdown. It felt eerily similar to that fateful day in 2011.
Some things stick to you as a sports fan. Those two games against the Green Bay Packers always will.
Joey Wright, Sports Section assistant coach – Philadelphia Eagles
I hate the Philadelphia Eagles. Their fans threw snowballs at Santa Claus in 1968, then cheered Michael Irvin’s career-ending injury 31 years later. Until the team’s Super Bowl victory in 2018, moments like that were about all the fans had to engage with.
Of course, the Eagles and Cowboys have endured one of the most bitter rivalries in NFL history, a series the Cowboys lead 69-53. Yet of any team in the NFC East, the Eagles strike me the worst way. Maybe it’s because Washington has seldom been a factor in my lifetime and the Giants, while more successful, have always been stocked with (relatively) respectable figures like Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning. Make no mistake however, I hate them both too.
With apologies to McNabb, McCoy and Wentz, I hope the Eagles fall in flames.
Matthew Lucas, Contributor – Michigan Wolverines
Maybe it’s the playing of the fight song, “The Victors” after nearly every play. Perhaps it’s because every year they seem to be far too optimistic for their own good, or maybe it’s because they have a winning record against my beloved Irish. No matter the reason, there is no doubt in my mind the Michigan Wolverines are my least favorite team in all of sports.
Listening to a Michigan fan tell you how this year will be different, and if the refs wouldn’t have been biased they would have won is the closest thing to nails on a chalkboard. It’s a great pain to hear, and you just hope that it ends soon.
Cameron Irwin, Contributor – Indiana Hoosiers
For a team that has had more recruiting violations than Big Ten Tournament championships in school history, Indiana Hoosiers basketball fans sure like to dwell on the past. They’ve won double-digit Big Ten Conference games three times in the past 13 years. Purdue owns Indiana, winning 10 of the last 11 matchups.
To make things worse, they ruined one of the most iconic basketball area names by adding “Simon Skjodt” in front of “Assembly Hall.” It just goes to show that you can’t spell “stupid” without IU.
