Riot time in Philly

I don't want to judge others, but I never understood the reasoning behind rioting in the city that you love after a big win or loss. Take College Park, Maryland for example.; One year they blow it in the Final Four. The students react by rioting, flipping cars, burning couches, and smashing shop windows . Next year they win the championship, town reacts by rioting, flipping cars, burning couches and smashing shop windows. The only plausible excuse could be, well its the only night we could do this and get away with it. Of course there is no etiquette book on the nuances of rioting which gives us the correct circumstances on when to riot. But that doesn't mean there shouldn't be a guide for this maniacal behavior.

The most raucous atmosphere I have been a part of was Knoxville 2004, after UT narrowly beat Florida with a game winning field goal. After the game I went through with my usual routine; I went to the strip to eat a late dinner, then went to Carrie and C.J.'s house for some beirut, and then head back to the Pong house for the band and after-party. But something happened, people started to literally lose their mind. I believe it happened due to a mixture of copious amounts of whiskey, the pressure of classes being released, and the fact that UT had just escaped a loss to the Gators. The scene was pure insanity. Computer monitors were being throw off of houses, couches were being burned in the middle of the road, and just absolute anarchy was about.

The thing I remember the most was talking to my old roommate Trey while drinking my typical makers on ice and debating what that guys first thought is going to be in the morning, post-riot. We discussed this guys eventual morning haze for a good thirty minutes, guessing that he would wonder where all his stuff went and then decide to go get the morning paper, to find all of the smashed and/or burnt remnants of his stuff on Highland ave. Or maybe he thinks to himself that he should update his away message but his monitor has gone missing with no clue of where it is. That's the one thing that sticks out to me, the thought of hungover people questioning what happened last night. Going from friend to friend to try to piece together the carnage they were a part of last night.

Last night the citizens of Philadelphia were able to let loose a lot of frustration. After all its been months since the city last enjoyed victory in a championship game. The Philadelphia Soul are this years Arena Bowl champs. These two championships should help the town get over Rocky's recent fictional loss to Mason Dixon.

The aftermath of the celebration; 15 people made trips to the emergency room (11 trauma cases), 76 were arrested, businesses ended up with smashed windows, stores were looted, and some poor soul's car was flipped. Seriously if this is what happens when finally winning after 28 years of futility, I shudder to think of what would happen in Chicago if the Cubs every won one.