It took less than a few hours after the San Francisco Giants were crowned the new World Series champions for the team’s home streets to be shut down due to violence and mayhem.
According to multiple reports, at least two people were shot during Wednesday night’s celebration turned riot. While the victims sustained non life-threatening injuries, the suspects (or suspects) remain at large.
In addition to the shooting, San Francisco Police Department officers were assaulted with bottles, firecrackers and M80s and one SFPD car’s rear window was bashed in.
photo courtesy of sfist.com
An individual was also stabbed at 24th and Valencia Street in the middle of it all, and he was said to have serious injuries.
Similar incidents happened after the 2010 and 2012 World Series in which the San Francisco Giants also won the World Series.
However, the streets of Fog City is not the only place where violence has occurred after winning a prominent sporting event.
In 2006, The Pittsburgh Steelers took home the Super Bowl Championship when they defeated the Seattle Seahawks 21-10. In this video you can see below there were cars overturned and objects were being lit on fire.
After the 2007 World Series, Boston Red Sox fans celebrated after defeating the Colorado Rockies. The way they celebrated was by attacking police with glass bottles. A total of 37 people were arrested, mostly for disorderly conduct.
photo courtesy of Boston.com
In a more violent act a few years earlier, the Red Sox took home another World Series win. And like all the other cities whose teams win, Boston celebrated. Victoria Snelgrove was one of the Boston Red Sox fans out that night participating in the celebratory night. According to Boston.com, Snelgrove was standing on the sidewalk opposite of the Green Monster where she waited for the crowd to thin out so she could drive her car home. Police officer Rochefort Milien saw a man who was spotted throwing bottles earlier in the night at fellow policeman. Milien said he “had a clear shot so he took it.” The crowd-control round did not hit the man, but struck Snelgrove in the eye causing excessive bleeding. The junior at Emerson College died 12 hours later.
Victoria Snelgrove (right) photo courtesy of Boston Dirt Dogs
In 1992, the Chicago Bulls won their first NBA title. This “celebration” resulted in $10 million worth of damage. There were more than 1,000 arrests and the charges included burglary, mob action, disorderly conduct, and damage to property.
There were multiple injuries as well. According to The Washington Post, a liquor store was attacked in which the owner and an employee received second-degree burns. A total of 95 police officers were hurt and two of them were hurt due to gunshot wounds.
photo courtesy of Chicago.sportsmockery.com
Why these violent acts keep happening, we don’t know. The real question is, why they are happening after a victory? Coming together as a city is how these celebrations start. Then the individuals of the city come together to perform violent acts, which in the end, turn them against one another.
I’m not going to say “it’s just a game,” because that’s not necessarily true, however turning into monsters to “support your team” seems ridiculous. If supporting your team means going to jail, that’s fine. But will the team turn around and bail you out of jail or make sure you are get home safe? No. They celebrate, and go home with their trophy and loved ones.
And ultimately, that’s what we should all do too.
Photo: Fox News