The real tragedy of 6/7/07
June 10, 2007 by f4denz.
While I understand all the hype, hysteria and outrage over the events involving flags, signs and chants at the RSL vs. China soccer match. I believe a greater injustice was going on right in front of our eyes and not a single person other than yours truly seems to have noticed.
Ever since the unveiling of “Leo the Lion” as the official mascot of Real Salt Lake, the person inside the suit has made rounds during the match and at halftime that covered all of the stadium. In fact, most often we see Leo several times and the RCB has enjoyed a playful banter with our mascot. It was us who posted a $100 bounty for the tail of Leo, which along with hundreds of kids pulling on his tail caused a change in the original outfit, to the current “tailless” version. But something strange happened on Thursday night, something very strange indeed.
So I noticed that as soon as the national anthems of both nations played, that Leo headed directly to the north end of the stadium. I noticed because during the “arts and crafts” night, a new tail for Leo was made, well several of them. So as we waited for him to come down, so we could enjoy our harassment of Leo, I began to notice that Leo was not moving from the North end of the stadium. This was a bit strange since the north stands were rather empty compared to most matches, if you don’t believe me look at pictures from Thursday and compare them to other matches (http://www.flickr.com/groups/rcb/) and you will see what I mean. So this behavior continued through the entire first half, but I figured everything would be back to normal in the second half. Wow was I about to be surprised.
So during the halftime activities, while the Chinese players were in their locker room, Leo seemed back to normal taking part in the on field activities and even going up to the section where the Chinese fans were located to throw out some free mini soccer balls. Ah, I thought I must just be a bit paranoid; things are going to be OK. Well through the clouds of controversy and conflict, I began to notice the same disturbing behaviors out of our “beloved” Leo. He seemed to be stuck at the north end of the stadium, perhaps there was a special guest in the stands, or maybe a birthday party but I did not notice either of those from my seat (limited by the distance to the north end).
It was about the 75th minute or so that I had “sick” feeling take over my thoughts, no it did not concern flags, what if the Chinese had gotten to Leo? If they could get to Jack Bauer, was Leo out of their reach? Worse yet, what if it was not the Chinese but our very own FBI, everyone knew they were here; you could not miss their large RV/command center in the parking lot. Could one of those two organizations had gotten to Leo and turned him into a tool of tyranny? Was Leo’s real purpose on this night to keep the Chinese players from getting too close to the fans, or to keep the fans from getting to close to the Chinese players? My friends, was Leo acting as an agent of the much maligned Patriot Act?
I was afraid of the thoughts running through my mind, was the real Leo bound and tied to a chair with a ball gag in his mouth to keep him from roaring for assistance? I turned to Mr. S (I will keep his identity secret to protect him from the “powers” that be) and asked him if he thought it was a bit strange, he in turn looked at me like I was nuts. I wondered had they gotten to him as well. Was I the only one who noticed that while those around me fought a battle over “free speech”, that the real battle was taking place some 60-70 yards away as a mascot was being prevented from providing children and adults alike, a humorous distraction from the action on the pitch?
Well I can live no longer with the burden of this on my shoulders, I had to tell my story and allow you my faithful blog readers (both of you), to make up your own mind. Watch the replay of the match, look at the pictures and remember that Leo simply was not the Leo we all know and torment on that fateful June evening.
Off my soapbox