Soccer fans have a reputation for being some of the most ruthless and unreasonable people in the sports world, and there are many that fit that description. Lumping them all into that category, however, would be unfair to a group of Stuttgart fans in Germany.
On Friday night, Stuttgart lost to Borussia Dortmund at home after 18-year-old defender Timo Baumgartl tried to pass a ball to his own keeper in the 89th minute. The pass was severely under-hit, and an opposing player raced in and turned it into the game-winning goal of the 3-2 match.
Believe it or not, Stuttgart fans did not throw dangerous objects at Baumgartl or curse at him when his error resulted in the last-place team falling to 4-6-12 on the season. Instead, the fans embraced Baumgartl and offered words of encouragement for other players.
Are these the same soccer fans that are responsible for idiotic acts like this? No, no they’re not. And for that, we commend them.
H/T Deadspin
