Celebration Gone Wrong: When Emotions Overshadow Journalistic Objectivity
The euphoria was palpable as I celebrated Jude Bellingham's golden goal against Slovakia in the Euros 2024 tournament. The sheer excitement of witnessing an unforgettable moment on live television had me, a seasoned football journalist, momentarily lose sight of my professional composure.
As I stumbled out of the pub with my England-shirt-clad mates and into the Greenwich beer garden, the scene was one of unbridled joy – but also self-awareness. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I, as a sports journalist, should be more measured in my expressions of delight. My guilt-ridden thoughts lingered, partly because, as a future father, I wasn't sure how these outbursts would sit with my family.
The scene was not unique – England fans across the country were similarly overcome with emotion, their usually stoic faces now etched with grins and tears. Social media was awash with tales of pub brawls, pint-throwing antics, and hasty apologies for over-celebration. The stark reality is that such outbursts are often a product of the same emotional release we witness on live TV.
For me, however, it wasn't just about Bellingham's incredible goal – though it was certainly that. It was about something deeper: my own connection to England football, forged over years of watching and cheering for the team through thick and thin. The recent Euros defeat in 2021 still had a profound impact on me; I recall storming into our backyard, feeling gut-wrenchingly defeated.
It's also possible that, as an ardent Manchester United fan, my allegiance to England during this period was driven by the desire for a meaningful shot at glory – something lacking since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure. Yet, beneath all these explanations, lies another issue: societal perceptions of football fans.
Unfortunately, football has often been seen through a skewed lens – one that equates it with hooliganism and violence. Fans are stereotyped as unsophisticated and reckless, their emotions deemed unseemly. This is particularly evident in the way they're viewed by the political class, who seem more interested in policing football's 'problematic' aspects than embracing its power to unite people.
For me, however, this isn't an issue; I've never seen it as such. When a goal goes in – as Bellingham's did – I lose myself in pure, unadulterated joy. It's about connection, community, and the raw emotions we share with fellow fans. As journalists, let's not judge our own kind too harshly.
On that summer's day, it was Jude Bellingham who inadvertently brought us together; his act of genius transcended anything I could have anticipated. And when England celebrates its next tournament goal, be prepared to see a sea of smiling faces – and maybe even a few journalists momentarily losing their composure in the process.
The euphoria was palpable as I celebrated Jude Bellingham's golden goal against Slovakia in the Euros 2024 tournament. The sheer excitement of witnessing an unforgettable moment on live television had me, a seasoned football journalist, momentarily lose sight of my professional composure.
As I stumbled out of the pub with my England-shirt-clad mates and into the Greenwich beer garden, the scene was one of unbridled joy – but also self-awareness. I couldn't shake off the feeling that I, as a sports journalist, should be more measured in my expressions of delight. My guilt-ridden thoughts lingered, partly because, as a future father, I wasn't sure how these outbursts would sit with my family.
The scene was not unique – England fans across the country were similarly overcome with emotion, their usually stoic faces now etched with grins and tears. Social media was awash with tales of pub brawls, pint-throwing antics, and hasty apologies for over-celebration. The stark reality is that such outbursts are often a product of the same emotional release we witness on live TV.
For me, however, it wasn't just about Bellingham's incredible goal – though it was certainly that. It was about something deeper: my own connection to England football, forged over years of watching and cheering for the team through thick and thin. The recent Euros defeat in 2021 still had a profound impact on me; I recall storming into our backyard, feeling gut-wrenchingly defeated.
It's also possible that, as an ardent Manchester United fan, my allegiance to England during this period was driven by the desire for a meaningful shot at glory – something lacking since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure. Yet, beneath all these explanations, lies another issue: societal perceptions of football fans.
Unfortunately, football has often been seen through a skewed lens – one that equates it with hooliganism and violence. Fans are stereotyped as unsophisticated and reckless, their emotions deemed unseemly. This is particularly evident in the way they're viewed by the political class, who seem more interested in policing football's 'problematic' aspects than embracing its power to unite people.
For me, however, this isn't an issue; I've never seen it as such. When a goal goes in – as Bellingham's did – I lose myself in pure, unadulterated joy. It's about connection, community, and the raw emotions we share with fellow fans. As journalists, let's not judge our own kind too harshly.
On that summer's day, it was Jude Bellingham who inadvertently brought us together; his act of genius transcended anything I could have anticipated. And when England celebrates its next tournament goal, be prepared to see a sea of smiling faces – and maybe even a few journalists momentarily losing their composure in the process.
I'm still trying to process my own emotional rollercoaster after that incredible match 
! As someone who's been following England football for ages, it was like Jude Bellingham's goal was more than just a stunning moment on the pitch - it was a release of all those pent-up emotions and frustrations from years of watching our team struggle 
. And you know what? I think that's what makes football so special 
! It's not just about the game itself, but about the community, the camaraderie, and the raw emotions we share with fellow fans 
.
Not me, that's for sure 
... it's always fun to see our own kind getting caught up in the excitement 
.
. We're just passionate people who love the game with every fiber of our being 
. And if we happen to lose our cool in the process, well... that's just part of the fun 
! It's like, can't we just be excited without being judged for it? 
. As a fan myself, I know how hard it is to keep our emotions in check when we're watching our team play.
! We're just passionate people who love our sport and want to celebrate with others. Let's give each other a break and stop judging ourselves (and each other) too harshly 
. That's what football is all about for me, not some image we have to maintain as fans 
. It's okay to get emotional and celebrate when something amazing happens – life is too short to bottle up your feelings 
. As a fan, you want to enjoy the moment and celebrate with your fellow supporters 
.
. We get caught up in the moment, sure, but that doesn't mean we're not thinking clearly or being rational 
️. But you know what? That's kinda the point – football has a way of bringing people together, and that's something to be celebrated 
pubs were on fire last night in London after that match and I'm not surprised at all 
people getting emotional is one thing but when it gets to a point where it's affecting your mental health it's time to take a step back 
The thing is, as much as we try to maintain our journalistic objectivity, we can't deny the power of emotional connections with sports events. It's okay to get caught up in the moment, but it's also crucial to acknowledge that our reactions might be influenced by personal biases and experiences 
. As journalists, we need to find a balance between analyzing the facts and being genuine in our own emotional responses 
. It's all about finding that balance between being passionate and being professional 
. As a fan myself, I've never seen football as just about hooliganism – it's about community, connection, and shared passion 
. Maybe that's why we need to make an effort to show more of ourselves behind the scenes 
?
. let's not pretend that journalists are immune to feeling the same emotions. in fact, if they can't acknowledge and express them properly, how can we trust their reporting? 
. no need to be too serious all the time, especially when it comes to something as beautiful as football