Detoxifying the rivalry

[coloradocat]

Go watch nearly every European soccer match, where opposing fans of big rivalries have there own fenced off entrances and sections are separated by police officers. Our rivalry is hardly toxic relative to truly hostile rivalries.

I don't mind holding us to a higher standard than soccer hooligans. If your argument is "at least we aren't as bad as the worst possible situation" it's not a good argument.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Indulge me in a thought experiment....suppose the cats won 16 brawls in a row. (Never mind that this is very unlikely....it's a thought experiment!) Would that make the rivalry more toxic, less toxic, or make no change whatsoever? I've heard that the streak made the rivalry more toxic, so I wonder what would happen if the tables turned? Same question about what would happen if we caught up on the overall record

It all depends on griz fans. Nobody respects them. They are a bunch of drunk idiots. Last game I attended in grizz stadium, I was just walking to my seat and I was verbally assaulted and I was getting ready to defend myself from a violent attack. No respect will ever be given by me. They have shown their colors to me.

Do you really think the same thing doesn't happen to Griz fans when they come here?

At a certain point somebody has to choose to stop it. I'd rather it be us.

[kwcat]

Indulge me in a thought experiment....suppose the cats won 16 brawls in a row. (Never mind that this is very unlikely....it's a thought experiment!) Would that make the rivalry more toxic, less toxic, or make no change whatsoever? I've heard that the streak made the rivalry more toxic, so I wonder what would happen if the tables turned? Same question about what would happen if we caught up on the overall record

It all depends on griz fans. Nobody respects them. They are a bunch of drunk idiots. Last game I attended in grizz stadium, I was just walking to my seat and I was verbally assaulted and I was getting ready to defend myself from a violent attack. No respect will ever be given by me. They have shown their colors to me.

Do you really think the same thing doesn't happen to Griz fans when they come here?

At a certain point somebody has to choose to stop it. I'd rather it be us.

As I struggled in business, when I was younger, I had a mentor say to me weak people have thin skin and hard hearts. Strong people have thick skin and soft hearts.

[WalkOn79]

There’s no doubt that the rivalry has always been bitter and the streak made it worse. But I think people are fooling themselves if they don’t see that digital media has been a major factor in how toxic it’s become.

Some Griz fans convince themselves that almost all Cat fans are horrible people based on the worst interactions that they see online and vice versa. Furthermore, people are generally way more emboldened online to be awful to each other.

But this doesn’t add up because the rivalry was WAY more toxic during the streak. I don’t know how old you are so I won’t speculate but anyone who was at all the games from the early 90’s on will vouch for this.

I had friends in the 90’s whose parents didn’t let them go to the Brawl. I didn’t let any of my kids go until they were teenagers. Because of fans and fans alone. And not just griz fans. The streak was terrible for the rivalry. I see douchey Cat fans now after a little success. Griz fans were the worst of the worst during the streak. We’re kidding ourselves if we don’t think we’d have fans acting just as awful if we went on a streak of our own.

I think the rivalry is in a good place. Still the same passion and disdain for the other team. But equal respect which was lacking during the streak. I like that the game is a toss up as of late with home field often a factor rather than one team just being WAY better than the other.

The fact that the Cats won 16 out of 20 leading up to the streak made it even more unbearable for fans of a certain age. I grew up hardly ever seeing the Cats lose that game. It was inconceivable to me that we would let our football team fall so far as to lose 16 in a row. We were the one's winning championships, dammit!!

[The Butcher]

The fact that the Cats won 16 out of 20 leading up to the streak made it even more unbearable for fans of a certain age. I grew up hardly ever seeing the Cats lose that game. It was inconceivable to me that we would let our football team fall so far as to lose 16 in a row. We were the one's winning championships, dammit!!

University Presidents and Athletic Directors let that happen...

[WalkOn79]

The fact that the Cats won 16 out of 20 leading up to the streak made it even more unbearable for fans of a certain age. I grew up hardly ever seeing the Cats lose that game. It was inconceivable to me that we would let our football team fall so far as to lose 16 in a row. We were the one's winning championships, dammit!!

University Presidents and Athletic Directors let that happen...

No doubt!

[lutecat]

Indulge me in a thought experiment....suppose the cats won 16 brawls in a row. (Never mind that this is very unlikely....it's a thought experiment!) Would that make the rivalry more toxic, less toxic, or make no change whatsoever? I've heard that the streak made the rivalry more toxic, so I wonder what would happen if the tables turned? Same question about what would happen if we caught up on the overall record

It all depends on griz fans. Nobody respects them. They are a bunch of drunk idiots. Last game I attended in grizz stadium, I was just walking to my seat and I was verbally assaulted and I was getting ready to defend myself from a violent attack. No respect will ever be given by me. They have shown their colors to me.

Do you really think the same thing doesn't happen to Griz fans when they come here?

At a certain point somebody has to choose to stop it. I'd rather it be us.

As I struggled in business, when I was younger, I had a mentor say to me weak people have thin skin and hard hearts. Strong people have thick skin and soft hearts.

I like that. I'm going to use that.

[PapaG]

The Gris head coach calls Montana State “State” and refuses to stay in Bozeman the night before Cat-Gris. Also ran up the score on “State” when he had a superior program, which he doesn’t anymore.

When that’s the type of person leading your program, of course fans on both sides are going to be caustic. Social media amplifies things, but I’ve heard stories from the 1960s about fights involving my dad and his Gris teammates and Bobcat fans/players and both teams were mediocre at best back then. I don’t think things are any worse now in the rivalry and might actually be better as most of the “tough guys” now have the internet to troll the opposing fanbase instead of losing control in person at a game.

[bcatfan1]

Indulge me in a thought experiment....suppose the cats won 16 brawls in a row. (Never mind that this is very unlikely....it's a thought experiment!) Would that make the rivalry more toxic, less toxic, or make no change whatsoever? I've heard that the streak made the rivalry more toxic, so I wonder what would happen if the tables turned? Same question about what would happen if we caught up on the overall record

It all depends on griz fans. Nobody respects them. They are a bunch of drunk idiots. Last game I attended in grizz stadium, I was just walking to my seat and I was verbally assaulted and I was getting ready to defend myself from a violent attack. No respect will ever be given by me. They have shown their colors to me.

Do you really think the same thing doesn't happen to Griz fans when they come here?

At a certain point somebody has to choose to stop it. I'd rather it be us.

It absolutely happens on both sides! And I'm sure alcohol plays a major factor in that. I remember the year during the McGhee era when the Cats went into the Brawl as the #1 ranked team. We were all smiles at our tailgate leading up to the game, offering every griz fan drinks and food. And after the game, my wife was burning a friend's griz hat over our propane heater.

I do feel like Hauck adds fuel to that fire for Cat fans though. I was able to actually cheer for the griz occasionally during the Pflugrad and Delaney years. But as soon as Bobby was back, so was my hatred for that program.

[GavinDonos]

It absolutely toxified the rivalry. The grizzly fan base became extremely arrogant, which made us extremely bitter. And that’s all there is to it. Now that we’re ahead in this century, they have some bad blood in their veins. I know it’s not 16 in a row, but our university is much far ahead than theirs. Academics, future plans, and just general atmosphere.


Rivalries are toxic in general. Ever been to a San Francisco Giants versus LA Dodgers game? People die at those!

[ilovethecats]

The Gris head coach calls Montana State “State” and refuses to stay in Bozeman the night before Cat-Gris. Also ran up the score on “State” when he had a superior program, which he doesn’t anymore.

When that’s the type of person leading your program, of course fans on both sides are going to be caustic. Social media amplifies things, but I’ve heard stories from the 1960s about fights involving my dad and his Gris teammates and Bobcat fans/players and both teams were mediocre at best back then. I don’t think things are any worse now in the rivalry and might actually be better as most of the “tough guys” now have the internet to troll the opposing fanbase instead of losing control in person at a game.

I always think about this when griz fans talk about how classless the Cats are or how we "run up the score" this season. When we weren't nearly as talented as the griz their head coach literally said he wanted one more quarter to score more points! And they all LOVEDE that and think he's so amazing.

We apparently ran up the score all season. Despite our starters playing like one possession in the 4th quarter that wasn't a blowout. But they run some gimmicky BS statue of liberty play for a touchdown late in the 4th up 2 touchdowns and it's "fun" and "great" and "our offense is back"!

But as a whole they'll be the first to say how mean this rivalry is and how classless Cats are and their beloved griz would NEVER act the exact same way

Man I LOVE this rivalry!

[Bobcat Sig]

It absolutely toxified the rivalry. The grizzly fan base became extremely arrogant, which made us extremely bitter. And that’s all there is to it. Now that we’re ahead in this century, they have some bad blood in their veins. I know it’s not 16 in a row, but our university is much far ahead than theirs. Academics, future plans, and just general atmosphere.


Rivalries are toxic in general. Ever been to a San Francisco Giants versus LA Dodgers game? People die at those!

I mean, this is the correct take. The Streak tainted a whole generation - maybe two/ Throw in a couple of national championship appearances, and it was bad. For many gris faithful, that's all they have, and they vehemently hold on to it.

Personally, I'd like our own streak of complete domination, mainly to turn the tables and show a generation or two what it feels like. Only then would things likely balance out.

FTG, always

[Silenoz]

Indulge me in a thought experiment....suppose the cats won 16 brawls in a row. (Never mind that this is very unlikely....it's a thought experiment!) Would that make the rivalry more toxic, less toxic, or make no change whatsoever? I've heard that the streak made the rivalry more toxic, so I wonder what would happen if the tables turned? Same question about what would happen if we caught up on the overall record

It all depends on griz fans. Nobody respects them. They are a bunch of drunk idiots. Last game I attended in grizz stadium, I was just walking to my seat and I was verbally assaulted and I was getting ready to defend myself from a violent attack. No respect will ever be given by me. They have shown their colors to me.

...and the last time I was at Cat-Griz in Bozeman, some drunken fans told me I "supported rape." The entire game.

Idiots exist in any passionate fanbase, and then emotions fly high during rivalry games. I personally chose that moment to reassess how I wanted to approach the rivalry, and how I wanted my kids to grow up in Bozeman, choosing to be fans of whichever school they wanted. Basically, I support whatever they choose, as long as they don't act like idiots.

Cat fans can be mad that Griz fans were arrogant back in the day (we were), and Griz fans can be mad that Cat fans are arrogant nowadays (you are), but everyone needs to realize that this is FCS football played by 20 year olds kids. No-one is dying over these games. Nobody's life is irrevocably being changed by winning or losing Cat/Griz, or winning or losing a championship. Nobody "needs" to be an unsufferable asshole over all of it.

Just my two cents.


And as a Griz fan who knows #8 (Carson) very well, people need to chill. He's an extremely passionate guy. That's just how he is, all the time. Ask his teammates how much he drives them nuts sometimes. But I respect the hell out how he plays and how much he cares.

[AFCAT]

The fact that the Cats won 16 out of 20 leading up to the streak made it even more unbearable for fans of a certain age. I grew up hardly ever seeing the Cats lose that game. It was inconceivable to me that we would let our football team fall so far as to lose 16 in a row. We were the one's winning championships, dammit!!

University Presidents and Athletic Directors let that happen...

Exactly! The athletic budget was slashed in the mid 80s at MSU and that definitely contributed. Remember having to go to play the big paycheck game against the Emmitt Smith led Gators in Florida?

Well, that and hiring the worst head football coach in modern MSU history.

[ilovethecats]

Indulge me in a thought experiment....suppose the cats won 16 brawls in a row. (Never mind that this is very unlikely....it's a thought experiment!) Would that make the rivalry more toxic, less toxic, or make no change whatsoever? I've heard that the streak made the rivalry more toxic, so I wonder what would happen if the tables turned? Same question about what would happen if we caught up on the overall record

It all depends on griz fans. Nobody respects them. They are a bunch of drunk idiots. Last game I attended in grizz stadium, I was just walking to my seat and I was verbally assaulted and I was getting ready to defend myself from a violent attack. No respect will ever be given by me. They have shown their colors to me.

...and the last time I was at Cat-Griz in Bozeman, some drunken fans told me I "supported rape." The entire game.

Idiots exist in any passionate fanbase, and then emotions fly high during rivalry games. I personally chose that moment to reassess how I wanted to approach the rivalry, and how I wanted my kids to grow up in Bozeman, choosing to be fans of whichever school they wanted. Basically, I support whatever they choose, as long as they don't act like idiots.

Cat fans can be mad that Griz fans were arrogant back in the day (we were), and Griz fans can be mad that Cat fans are arrogant nowadays (you are), but everyone needs to realize that this is FCS football played by 20 year olds kids. No-one is dying over these games. Nobody's life is irrevocably being changed by winning or losing Cat/Griz, or winning or losing a championship. Nobody "needs" to be an unsufferable asshole over all of it.

Just my two cents.


And as a Griz fan who knows #8 (Carson) very well, people need to chill. He's an extremely passionate guy. That's just how he is, all the time. Ask his teammates how much he drives them nuts sometimes. But I respect the hell out how he plays and how much he cares.

Totally agree Silenoz.

People can say what they want about this rivalry. I think for it to be considered one of the best in the nation, you have to take the good with the bad. That said, in my PERSONAL opinion, the worst thing for this rivalry is BOTH sides suggesting the bad stuff doesn't happen on THEIR side, only the OTHER side. That needs to end in my opinion.

I'm so tired of fans coming up with a story of how the other side is so bad. Then the other side has their own stories. Each combating one another and even going as far as disregarding things saying that they never happened. Each just needs to accept the fact that we are two very passionate fanbases, probably 90% of us treating it the right way, but acknowledging that there are 10% or so that are going to act like morons.

On. BOTH. Sides.

[cats2506]

FTG, enough said

[TomCat88]

Indulge me in a thought experiment....suppose the cats won 16 brawls in a row. (Never mind that this is very unlikely....it's a thought experiment!) Would that make the rivalry more toxic, less toxic, or make no change whatsoever? I've heard that the streak made the rivalry more toxic, so I wonder what would happen if the tables turned? Same question about what would happen if we caught up on the overall record

It all depends on griz fans. Nobody respects them. They are a bunch of drunk idiots. Last game I attended in grizz stadium, I was just walking to my seat and I was verbally assaulted and I was getting ready to defend myself from a violent attack. No respect will ever be given by me. They have shown their colors to me.

...and the last time I was at Cat-Griz in Bozeman, some drunken fans told me I "supported rape." The entire game.

Idiots exist in any passionate fanbase, and then emotions fly high during rivalry games. I personally chose that moment to reassess how I wanted to approach the rivalry, and how I wanted my kids to grow up in Bozeman, choosing to be fans of whichever school they wanted. Basically, I support whatever they choose, as long as they don't act like idiots.

Cat fans can be mad that Griz fans were arrogant back in the day (we were), and Griz fans can be mad that Cat fans are arrogant nowadays (you are), but everyone needs to realize that this is FCS football played by 20 year olds kids. No-one is dying over these games. Nobody's life is irrevocably being changed by winning or losing Cat/Griz, or winning or losing a championship. Nobody "needs" to be an unsufferable asshole over all of it.

Just my two cents.


And as a Griz fan who knows #8 (Carson) very well, people need to chill. He's an extremely passionate guy. That's just how he is, all the time. Ask his teammates how much he drives them nuts sometimes. But I respect the hell out how he plays and how much he cares.

Totally agree Silenoz.

People can say what they want about this rivalry. I think for it to be considered one of the best in the nation, you have to take the good with the bad. That said, in my PERSONAL opinion, the worst thing for this rivalry is BOTH sides suggesting the bad stuff doesn't happen on THEIR side, only the OTHER side. That needs to end in my opinion.

I'm so tired of fans coming up with a story of how the other side is so bad. Then the other side has their own stories. Each combating one another and even going as far as disregarding things saying that they never happened. Each just needs to accept the fact that we are two very passionate fanbases, probably 90% of us treating it the right way, but acknowledging that there are 10% or so that are going to act like morons.

On. BOTH. Sides.

Okay, time to come clean. What did you do to UM fans?

[catscat]

Indulge me in a thought experiment....suppose the cats won 16 brawls in a row. (Never mind that this is very unlikely....it's a thought experiment!) Would that make the rivalry more toxic, less toxic, or make no change whatsoever? I've heard that the streak made the rivalry more toxic, so I wonder what would happen if the tables turned? Same question about what would happen if we caught up on the overall record

It all depends on griz fans. Nobody respects them. They are a bunch of drunk idiots. Last game I attended in grizz stadium, I was just walking to my seat and I was verbally assaulted and I was getting ready to defend myself from a violent attack. No respect will ever be given by me. They have shown their colors to me.

...and the last time I was at Cat-Griz in Bozeman, some drunken fans told me I "supported rape." The entire game.

Idiots exist in any passionate fanbase, and then emotions fly high during rivalry games. I personally chose that moment to reassess how I wanted to approach the rivalry, and how I wanted my kids to grow up in Bozeman, choosing to be fans of whichever school they wanted. Basically, I support whatever they choose, as long as they don't act like idiots.

Cat fans can be mad that Griz fans were arrogant back in the day (we were), and Griz fans can be mad that Cat fans are arrogant nowadays (you are), but everyone needs to realize that this is FCS football played by 20 year olds kids. No-one is dying over these games. Nobody's life is irrevocably being changed by winning or losing Cat/Griz, or winning or losing a championship. Nobody "needs" to be an unsufferable asshole over all of it.

Just my two cents.


And as a Griz fan who knows #8 (Carson) very well, people need to chill. He's an extremely passionate guy. That's just how he is, all the time. Ask his teammates how much he drives them nuts sometimes. But I respect the hell out how he plays and how much he cares.

Totally agree Silenoz.

People can say what they want about this rivalry. I think for it to be considered one of the best in the nation, you have to take the good with the bad. That said, in my PERSONAL opinion, the worst thing for this rivalry is BOTH sides suggesting the bad stuff doesn't happen on THEIR side, only the OTHER side. That needs to end in my opinion.

I'm so tired of fans coming up with a story of how the other side is so bad. Then the other side has their own stories. Each combating one another and even going as far as disregarding things saying that they never happened. Each just needs to accept the fact that we are two very passionate fanbases, probably 90% of us treating it the right way, but acknowledging that there are 10% or so that are going to act like morons.

On. BOTH. Sides.

Unfortunately, I believe the gris head coach to be part of the 10%. I think he contributed greatly to gris fan arrogance and feelings of entitlement in his first stint as head coach and resumed upon his return. Used to be that I would root for the gris when they weren't playing the Bobcats because they are a Montana team. No more. Put me firmly in the "my favorite teams are the Bobcats and whoever is playing the gris" camp. A lot of this starts at the top - and if the "top" fans the flames, they only get bigger.

[WalkOn79]

The fact that the Cats won 16 out of 20 leading up to the streak made it even more unbearable for fans of a certain age. I grew up hardly ever seeing the Cats lose that game. It was inconceivable to me that we would let our football team fall so far as to lose 16 in a row. We were the one's winning championships, dammit!!

University Presidents and Athletic Directors let that happen...

Exactly! The athletic budget was slashed in the mid 80s at MSU and that definitely contributed. Remember having to go to play the big paycheck game against the Emmitt Smith led Gators in Florida?

Well, that and hiring the worst head football coach in modern MSU history.

How could anyone forget 79-0

[AFCAT]

The fact that the Cats won 16 out of 20 leading up to the streak made it even more unbearable for fans of a certain age. I grew up hardly ever seeing the Cats lose that game. It was inconceivable to me that we would let our football team fall so far as to lose 16 in a row. We were the one's winning championships, dammit!!

University Presidents and Athletic Directors let that happen...

Exactly! The athletic budget was slashed in the mid 80s at MSU and that definitely contributed. Remember having to go to play the big paycheck game against the Emmitt Smith led Gators in Florida?

Well, that and hiring the worst head football coach in modern MSU history.

How could anyone forget 79-0

69-0. They also lost to Mesa State 41-10 the very next weekend.