How some sports fans demonstrate they are among the most desperate among us

The Pittsburgh Steelers stayed at an airport hotel before their game Sunday against the Patriots in Foxboro, Mass., and a man has been charged with setting off a hotel fire alarm at 3:10 a.m.

I hope authorities nail the guy.

The media knows where visiting teams stay, but I’ve never printed it and never will.

Before the Miami Heat and LeBron James and the fellows came to Charlotte for a playoff game against the Bobcats, I went to Miami’s hotel, leaned against a wall and watched the pre-game scene.

The security the hotel provided was outstanding. There might have been 15 guards in the lobby, 16 if you count Dwyane Wade. Fans asked for autographs but didn’t try to push past security to get them.

Those fans understood. Some refuse to. Some need to be part of the show. The best word to describe the guy who set off the fire alarm is desperate. People such as him are so desperate for attention they’ll do almost anything to get it.

Hey, look, I’m sneaking onto the field and running on it. Aren’t you proud, mom?

Hey, look, I’m swearing and screaming and hammered and trying to get in a fight in the bleachers. Thanks for raising me right, dad. Now can I move out of the basement?

Hey, look, I’m going to go to the other team’s hotel to set off the fire alarm in the middle of the night. Mom and dad, will you post bail?

If I ran the world, certain people would not be allowed to leave the house. The desperate would be among them. They could go out for fresh air and exercise. But, hey, they don’t do that now.

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This story was originally published January 25, 2017 at 10:31 AM.