Toxic Toronto Maple Leafs Fans Need a Reality Check

No, it wasn’t just a bad dream. The Toronto Maple Leafs really did blow a 3-1 series lead against the Montreal Canadiens, lost Game 7, and are now on the outside looking in throughout the remainder of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Although my Twitter feed would have you believe otherwise, the Toronto Maple Leafs most recent first round loss is not the end of the world as we know it, fellow fans.

Was it disappointing to witness? Of course. It’s more than permissible to be frustrated, angry, and upset at the misfortunes that seem to follow this team. However, onlookers are often far too quick to blur the balance between reality and fandom.

If you’re so angry at the outcome that you threaten to abolish your affiliation with the franchise, choose to publicly shame those that keep it relevant, or decide to burn a jersey that can otherwise be donated, you’re no more of a winner than the 2020-21 Maple Leafs.

It’s gone too far and it’s enough already.

The Fine Line of Fandom

There’s nothing wrong with critiquing yet another less than ideal conclusion in Toronto. We all watched that breakdown and are certainly entitled to our opinions as invested supporters of this squad.

https://twitter.com/NHL/status/1399381685960126464?s=20

However, it’s a whole other approach to target a mere few among a group that collectively failed, let alone acting out in a way that suggests the results of this sport are detrimental to life outside of it.

Those who refer to that as passion are wrong. Their toxicity, which inevitably oozes out, is anything but. Being happy when your team wins and mad when they lose is normal, but recognize that it’s a game and leave it at that.

If you already feel the need to refute, before you’ve even attempted to take in the rest of what I’ll illustrate throughout this article, you are exactly who this is being written for.

Let me guess, you’re going to claim that’s just how big of a fan you are, you can’t handle them losing every year, and that it’s simply your right to react this way?

That approach won’t change Toronto’s fate. Not now, not ever.

All it does is cast a dark cloud above your own well-being, while you make it insufferable to even attempt a conversation inclusive of any common sense. It’s time to shift that way of thinking. For your own sake, at the very least.

It’s Business, Not Pleasure

Never forget that this is a business, first and foremost. As such, people are getting paid to perform their respective functions within it. If they fail, leave them with the burden of pain as it’s ultimately their job and livelihood on the line — not yours.

Maple Leafs’ personnel aren’t reciprocating the same type of concern for your success. Stop expelling that much energy towards something you’re choosing to take personally, when it’s far from worthy of such an approach.

Although supporters of the losing side are expected to be disgruntled, and rightfully so, there’s a line that need not be crossed. Doing so does nothing but further the negativity that those perpetuating it can ultimately cease if they allow themselves to.

Yet, here we are.

Let’s delve into a few of the more ridiculous things I’m seeing fellow (supposed) fans spewing across their profiles these days.