Cardinals Abdullah Has a Point but Should Point Finger at Self First

Arizona Cardinals safety Hamza Abdullah had the guts to do something few athletes do, to call out his own fans.  As we all know by now, this past Sunday University of Phoenix Stadium more resembled Heinz Field in Pittsburgh with all the Terrible Towels being waved around like it was cool.  Abdullah actually had the audacity to say he was disappointed in the Birdgang (the affectionate name for Cards fans).  He said the team thrives on its home fans to help them win.

While it was embarrassing to a point, at times, on Sunday, Hamza you are dead wrong to blame fans for the loss.  If you need fans to help you win, you are in the wrong business.  You get paid to perform no matter who is in the stands.  Besides, Birdgang was represented.  The true fans who haven’t give up on the team were there and even those who support the team through thick and thin who couldn’t be there were in bars and their homes to cheer on the team.  If you want to donate some of your salary to get fans into the games, be my guest.

Now, I too was disappointed to hear Steelers fans being louder on Sunday much of the time.  However, the Cards play on the field kind of dictated that, didn’t it?  No team should have to rely on its fans to pull them through.  Great teams, heck even just good teams find ways to win without making excuses and blaming the lack of fans for a team’s loss.  I say your tweets the other day after the game were more embarrassing than who was or wasn’t in the stands.  The play on the field by the defense was ugly too.  Let’s start there.

Before any player, and I mean ANY player goes and blames someone else, they should look in the mirror first.  Listen Hamza, I get your frustration, but it should be directed at yourself and your team, not fans.  Let’s remember UOP Stadium has been sold out 58 consecutive times.  On most Sunday’s over the past couple of years, it has been Birdgang there.  Now, for whatever reason, the Cards record, the cost of tickets, the opportunity to make a few bucks by selling tickets to a Steelers game, whatever, the noise being made is for the opposition and you want to call fans out.  How about making plays when they are given to you?  How about not giving up a 95 yard touchdown pass?  How about not taking sacks in the end zone when it could have been avoided?

Look at yourself first.  Maybe play better and you’ll see more Cards fans in attendance.  Unfortunately this is a bandwagon town, always has been.  People don’t jump on till there is a winner.  About the only team that is the exception to that in this town is the Phoenix Suns.  Play better Hamza.  Play better and shut up.