NCAA referee John Higgins’ business was destroyed on Facebook and death threats were sent this weekend. Why? Basketball. Who? Big Blue Nation fans.
John Higgins was part of the NCAA officiating crew assigned to the Elite Eight matchup between Kentucky and North Carolina. Two blue-blood schools battling it out for the chance at a Final Four appearance and one step closer to a NCAA Championship.
The tightly contested game ended with No. 1 seed North Carolina advancing over No. 2 Kentucky. Emotions were high for the players and their fans. Kentucky freshman Malik Monk hit a game-tying three-pointer with ten seconds left in the game. All was fine and well until North Carolina’s Luke Maye hit a mid-range jumper to put the Tar Heels ahead with just one second remaining. Kentucky turns the ball over, the Wildcats are eliminated and Big Blue Nation erupts.
John Calipari’s post game comments were gasoline on a flaming Kentucky fan base.
"“You know, it’s amazing that we were in that game where they practically fouled out my team, amazing that we had a chance.”"
When devastating losses occur it brings out the absolute worst in some fans. Kentucky’s Elite Eight loss unhinged the spineless, cowardly part of every fan base. Every team in every sport has fans who turn cowardly to the internet to appease their grievances of a loss. Some fan bases have more of those fans than others, but every team has them. Some of those fans that ride with Big Blue Nation spent their time destroying John Higgins’ business.
John Higgins is the owner of WeatherGuard Inc., a roofing business that Kentucky fans found out existed. You can imagine how this story ends. A part of Big Blue Nation decided to flood Higgins’ business page on Facebook with one-star reviews.
Here are just a few of the hundreds of the reviews posted to the business’ page. There are 894 total one-star reviews, most coming from Kentucky fans.
"Jeremy Burke – Incompetent at best. Just putting a reference to the fact that your a referee in your web address shows what a pompous ass you must be. I hope you are at the very least evaluated and fired for poor performance. Considering you were SOMEHOW given the nod for the Final Four screams that you wont and that SOMEHOW the @NCAA is pleased???? with your work. ALL EYES will be upon you now. Lets see how you follow it up.Jason Skaggs – Video proves this man has zero integrity, so I wouldn’t want him near my home trying to get money from me! Beware of people like this, if you don’t have integrity than you are nothing.. he is a disgrace!Ron Hargrove – I don’t know about the roofing, but in my opinion, John Higgins is one of the most dishonest and unethical people I have ever had the misfortune to endure. His business is quite possibly ran unethically and dishonestly as well. I strongly suggest that you find a business owned by someone who isn’t as morally and ethically challenged as John Higgins.Melvin Matthew – John personally came out to fix my roof. I’ll say this guy was very professional, he hit on my 13 year old son and clogged my toilet and didn’t tell anyone. I tried to get him to come back and finish my roof. He agreed to come back the following day. When he finally showed up 3 hours late he smelled like tequila and strippers. His attire for the day was glitter and a tank top. I personally have never dealt with such a simple minded person. When my roof was finally “fixed” he over charged me and even tried to put his tequila and stripper bill on my bill."
The pathetic and embarrassing actions by some Kentucky fans didn’t stop there. ESPN reports that John Higgins met with law enforcement on Tuesday in regards to death threats he was receiving by social media and phone. Higgins said that his business and home phone was filled with hateful messages and threats to his family after the Elite Eight game.
It’s not the first time Kentucky fans have felt slighted by referees. The fan base played the blame game with referee Doug Shows. Creating conspiracies that the referee’s who call games in which Kentucky losses “crooked”.
Look, we all complain about the officiating in games. I’m guilty as much as the next college basketball fans. There are times in which the officiating has been less than impressive (see Purdue-Indiana game). We get it, Kentucky basketball is this unholy mecca of college sports. It shall never have a call turned against them. Resorting to death threats and destroying business though? That I can’t relate to.
This officiating situation is not uncommon although extreme. It is a reflection of our society. Not a Kentucky issue.
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) March 29, 2017
Number of officals told me they have received everything from calls to picture of their homes after games. Society no respect 4 authority.
— Seth Greenberg (@SethOnHoops) March 29, 2017
ESPN’s Seth Greenberg brings up a more enlightening, broader scope to the situation. This is not just a representation of the Kentucky fan base but the society that we live in. Groups of people who use destruction and hate to coup with disappointment. A sad truth that carries over into sports at the collegiate and professional level.
“Well I know our fan base wouldn’t do such a thing!”. The issue extends across far more fan bases than just Kentucky. Coaches, players, officials and recruits in the past have all been subjected to attacks. 17 and 18-year-old recruits who decommitted from their initial schools receive attacks (remember?).
I’m not making excuses for the Kentucky fans who spend their lives trying to destroy others. Put it into perspective it’s a far larger problem across the NCAA and professional sports. Dig around in any fan base and you’ll find idiotic fans like those of Big Blue Nation. What you probably won’t find are fans spending their time sending death threats and leaving Facebook comments.
Next: Already sold on new head coach Archie Miller
My advice to Kentucky fans and all those who share this threshold of taking this too far. It’s simple, stop and take a look around you. If you’re lucky, you might just realize what you are doing is pathetic and embarrassing.