I’m telling ya, that mother had a steel grip on her son, a steel grip that was soft and effective as could be. I asked her where the father was, she hesitated, then said, “Christmas shopping.” He may have asked her to take Nick because he realized that Nick was aggravating everyone around him - and he was - and he couldn’t handle him. Or - he was out Christmas shopping.
The mother was very into the game and made many comments that led me to believe she had played it herself. I believe the father is innately a more negative person than she is, although he can be a very nice guy! The father makes no attempt to rein his son in, or to teach him about self-control or to even be a better fan/man.
I know I am sounding preachy and I don’t mean it like that. There have been a few times in my tenure in 309 where I let out some colorful profanities that assures my place in hell. I muttered them between clenched teeth but I know darn well the school teacher in front of me heard them. I just don’t appreciate non-stop shouted insults at the players.
I can relate a sad story. There was an older man further down from me, front row, who shouted depredations at the refs non-stop. He was infamous in our section. As the years went by it felt to some of us that he lived to come to the games and scream his head off at the refs. His wife often came with him, and she would sit with her head down. It must have been unbearable for her. One time last year I went for a walk during half time and was told upon my return that the ushers had asked him to leave.
This year we found out that his wife had died. He has been to a few games and he is not shouting.