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There are plenty of supposedly mature adults who nonetheless subjected themselves to the highs and lows that come with having a crippling emotional dependency on the outcome of various sporting events.
As a functioning 30-something who has had to replace multiple remotes thrown at the wall in anger, I’m certainly in no place to cast judgment. Whether or not that kind of behavior is “normal” or “healthy” is certainly up for debate, but I think most people would agree younger fans get a pass when it comes to possessing similar levels of passion.
Most kids have at least a couple of athletic idols they look up to, and anyone who can remember being obsessed with a player growing up likely knows there’s nothing more exciting than getting to see them do their thing in person.
That includes one young Miami Heat fan who traveled 4,405 miles to watch Jimmy Butler on Tuesday night and possibly get a picture (and maybe a cup of his signature BigFace coffee) with the guard.
Unfortunately, they got some truly devastating news when Butler was scratched due to the back injury that prevented him from taking the court against the Celtics, as TNT’s cameras captured the exact moment his heart broke after hearing about that particular development.
Heat fan with sign that says he flew 4405 miles to see Jimmy Butler play finds out he’s been ruled out an hour before tipoff with (back) https://t.co/vSw1cbdxL2 https://t.co/uXsU7M1eoX pic.twitter.com/TX4kN0R6hz
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) January 25, 2023
Thankfully, the story has a happy ending.
Based on what Jamal Crawford had to say on the broadcast after Miami secured the 98-95 victory over the Celtics at home, Butler was unable to make the trek to the arena but went out of his way to make sure the kid in question had the best night possible in his absence.
In addition to sending him some autographed swag and BigFace merch, it sounds like Butler is also planning to ensure the fan is given a rain check he’ll be able to cash in when the Heat star is healthy enough to take to the hardwood.
— 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐢𝐧’ 𝐍𝐁𝐀 (@_Talkin_NBA) January 25, 2023
You really, truly love to see it.