Former Leafs Star Now Acknowledges The Fans' Frustration With The Team

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Graham Montgomery
October 7, 2023 (9:05 PM)

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Leafs fans have not had much to celebrate in the last two decades.

Countless disappointing seasons, numerous unforgettably embarrassing collapses, and star players letting the team and fans down alike.

Perhaps Toronto sports teams are simply destined to make their fans miserable as the Blue Jays seem to suffer from the same issues.

Joffery Lupul Discusses Toronto Sports Fandom

Former Leaf Joffery Lupul made a guest appearance on the Missin' Curfew podcast this week where he discussed just what it's like to be a sports fan in Toronto.

Lupul also talked about what it was like to go home after a disappointing loss in front of a packed home crowd.

He admitted that he often scorned Leafs fans for their displeasing encounters with players on the streets of Toronto but says he understands their point of view much more clearly now.

"I played in Toronto a long time and the best thing about playing there is the fans and the worst thing about playing there is the fans. You'd be out after a game [after] you got your ass kicked and someone's just like, 'f**k, you guys suck' or something, and most of the time you just shake it off, but the odd time, I'd be like 'f**k you', and after that I'm like, I never really understand why these fans feel the need to do that... until [Wednesday]."

Lupul was referencing the Blue Jays' loss to the Minnesota Twins which eliminated them from postseason play before ever playing a game in Toronto.

"After that game, I total get it now. It would be my obligation as a Jays fan, if I saw the Manager, or [Vladdy] Guerrero somewhere, to be like, 'what the f**k were you thinking?', so, to any of those fans I told to shut up, I apologize. I totally understand it now. It took me 40 years, but [Wednesday] was like, I get it. I understand what these people are doing."

Lupul, of course, is referencing a play where Guerrero Jr. was picked off on second base in a critical moment of the game.

The Jays had two runners in scoring position with two outs. The play ended the inning, ending any chance for the Jays to score.