TODOR: A little advice for a guy who needs it

The scene: A sporting goods store in Myrtle Beach, S.C. It is summer 1996, less than a year after Art Modell has moved the Browns to Baltimore.

A man and his young son, just browsing, come across a pro football jersey.

It is deep purple, with white numbers and black trim.

“Look, Dad,” says the boy. “A Ravens jersey.”

“Good!” answers the father. “We need something to start the bonfire tonight.”

The moral of the story: Never underestimate the emotion of a passionate fan who feels betrayed.

Fast forward to Thursday night, when 29-year-old Matt Bellamy of Sandusky thought it would be hilarious if he showed up at a Cleveland Indians game wearing the No. 6 Miami Heat jersey of LeBron James.

The result was comically predictable.

Bellamy was booed and cat-called by angry fans in the bleachers at Progressive Field. After he began to taunt the fans and was shown on the stadium’s Jumbotron he — and his girlfriend — began to get pelted with beer and peanuts.

Police intervened and eventually escorted Bellamy and his companion out of the stadium.

Bellamy, in a televised interview, says he’s embarrassed and angry at the treatment he received.

He’s lucky that’s all he’s feeling. Had police not stepped in for his safety, Bellamy easily could have ended up in a hospital.

The actions of the so-called fans who threw beer and peanuts at Bellamy are inexcusable. If they can be identified, they should be prosecuted.

But, really, what did Bellamy expect to happen?

A fanbase that has known more heartbreak than any other city in the country — Red Right 88, The Drive, The Fumble, The Shot, just to name a few — had its collective gut punched by The Decision.

There’s a distinct difference between losing a game in a gut-wrenching fashion (a la John Elway and Michael Jordan) and what Modell and James pulled.

And fans react differently. In 1995, when Modell announced he was moving the Browns, and on the night of July 8, Clevelanders reacted with anger and bitterness.

In all the stadiums I’ve been in, covering literally hundreds of major sporting events, I’ve only been concerned for my safety twice.

Once was on Dec. 17, 1995, the date of the Browns’ final home game. Over the final quarter of Cleveland’s 26-10 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, the emotion of the fans inside Municipal Stadium went from sadness to anger, and quickly.

There was a feeling of civil disobedience — fans did everything from derogatory chants about Modell to literally dismantling rows of seats — that could have spilled over to violence at any time.

So, here’s a couple of suggestions for Mr. Bellamy:

One, get rid of the hip-hop gangsta look. You’re a white guy from Sandusky, and you’re 29. How about dressing like it — maybe you’ll be taken more seriously.

Two, if you wore that jersey knowing the reaction it would create, congratulations, you’ve had your 15 minutes of fame.

And if you didn’t, sell the jersey and use the money for an online course in not poking an angry dog with a stick.

Oh, and that father-son story? It’s true. But the jersey wasn’t purchased. I’m not spending $90 for kindling.

Rob Todor is sports editor of The Vindicator. Write to him at todor@vindy.com.