Well, howdy hoo to everyone. I just want to say that although I haven't been writing as much as I have in the past, I come onto the blog site and read people's blogs often. I felt so out of the loop, that I decided to take the time out and (gasp!) write a new blog of my own.
Since the AFC and NFC Championships are upon us, I've been doing a lot of thinking as of recent, mainly because of the situations that have happened to me. So I decided to write about it. Below are the things that irk me the most when it comes to people and sports (again, this is all in fun. If you are offended, then my bad. But that probably means it applies to you). Like to hear it, here it goes:
When My Team Isn't In The Playoffs:Okay, I am a huge football fan. But I'm sure all of you can agree that if your team is not in the playoffs, it gives the games less meaning. It's like having fried chicken without the fixins to go with it. It's still good, but something is missing. What's even worse is when your division rivals are in the playoffs. Then you become angry and start to beg for defeat. It's not a good feeling to have, but it does happen.
Fake Fans: Okay, I don't know if many abide by this, but there's an unwritten rule in sports. If your team doesn't go to the playoffs, you don't cheer for anyone else in your division, let alone your division rival, if they are still in the thick of things. If I did a survey today, asking Cowboys fans if they rooted for the Redskins while they were in the playoffs, I'm willing to bet my whole paycheck (which isn't much) that 99.9% of them would say, "HELL NO", along with some other choice words that won't be so nice. The .01% of the population probably cheered for them because they bet on the game. Ask Yankees fans if they were happy that Boston finally won a World Series, and I'm almost certain they would not be. Hell would freeze over before these rivalries die down. Even though your rivalry may not be that serious, it's still a rivalry. That's what makes sports fun. By loving one team and hating another. And I don't wanna hear, "Well, I like so-and-so on the (team inserted here)". So what. We all like at least one player on teams we don't like, but that doesn't make us an honorary member of their fan club, either. And if you live in a city with a major sports team, root for them, people. If you don't support your home team, then who will???
Bandwagon Fans: Okay, just so you know, there is a difference between fake fans, and bandwagon fans. Fake fans are just people that pick who they know to win in the playoffs, which is usually someone in their division. Bandwagon fans are totally different. Now, hopefully I'm not speaking about or offending anyone directly, but when I first starting writing and reading these blogs, there were a quite diverse group of people in the blog community. Pretty much, most teams were represented in one way or another, but it was pretty balanced on what teams people cheered for. That was during the regular season. Now, it's the postseason, and out of no where, when I read the blogs, I've seen so many new bloggers, it makes my head spin. And all of them want to talk about how much of a Steelers or a Panthers fan they are. Some of them have page names, dedicated to their teams, like "Broncos2dabowl", or something crazy like that (FYI, I just made that up). I'm just wondering where were these people in December, when everything was still up in the air in the NFL? Not calling you a bandwagon fan, just wondering were you been since the contest started. My co-worker that sits next to me, I never knew he was a Redskins fan until they went to the playoffs. One day, he just came in with a team jacket that looked like it was from 70's and a coffee mug with the logo on it. He even admitted that this was the first time in years he's worn the old thing. That's a bandwagon fan for you.
Sore Losers: Okay, I'm sure you know that the distance between Baltimore and DC is about a hop, skip and a jump. I have a lot of friends in the DC area, all of them are Redskins fans. Last Saturday, we went to a restaurant, not too far from FedEx Field. We watched the Skins-Seahawks game at the bar. When the game was over, I just sat there in silence, and took a sip of my beer, with an expressionless look on my face. All of a sudden, one of my friends started yelling towards my direction, "Well, at least we went to the playoffs. What did your team do?" Now, although she did really have to yell at me because of all the noise in the restaurant, I was flabbergasted. I mean, I gave her no ammo for her outburst, yet she comes hollering at me. Once that happened, a big group of Skins fans started hassling me, because they thought I was a Cowboys fan. Although I'm a fan of neither team, I pretty much had the finger pointed at me all night and being labeled as the "Cowboy fan". Folks, hateration is not a good color for anyone to wear (unless you are playing against your division rival), so just because your team loses, don't be a sore loser. It's so humiliating. Ask the girl from American Idol on Tuesday. You know, the one that thought she sang better then the other girl, and started belting out her song on camera......................
Poor officiating: I've read everyone else's blogs about this subject, so I'm not gonna really get into this. Although they are human, some calls (or lack of) are just too unneccessary. Question, where are the good officiating crews, like Ed Hockuli? He's has one of the best crews in the NFL.
People Who Take Sports WAY Too Far: Okay, we all know we saw the interception that Polamalu had on Sunday. And the last time I checked, Pittsburgh won the game, right? So, why on earth did people vandalize the ref's house because of a bad call? Okay, this is where the line needs to be drawn. While I'm just as passionate about sports as the next person, There is no way I am thinking about trashing someone's home or harrassing their children because of human error. If sports have become that serious for you, then please, get a life, and some anger management classes. When you feel like you want to destroy someone's property or heckle them, take a deep breath, relax, relate and release it. Take some Karate or Boxing lessons and learn how to work that anger off in a positive way. Do anything that doesn't make us good fans look bad. And I leave you all with the philosophical words of Jay Glazer, "Sports is escapism, nothing more, nothing less."
Good stuff...welcome back, and don't think that you were ever "out of the loop".
I wondered the same about bandwagon fans. I made a comment somewhere and it seemed to offend a fan of a certain team I won't mention (it starts with an 'R' and ends w/ an "edskins"). It's amazing to see the amount of Panther fans out and about, that we didn't hear from in December. Though the writing thing isn't just about your favorite team, it's quite su####ious.
As for the fake fan, I agree. My Eagles were out of the race...well, basically when training camp started. Since then, I haven't really cheered for anyone...Except for the opponent of the Cowboys.
But I have found myself pulling for the Steelers to win. They impressed me last week. But in a few months, it's back to Eagles camp.
Ahhhhh, ShooterB. If only I can be a Steelers supporter, just like everyone else seems to be. But My Ravens are in the AFC North, and although I like about 5 players on that team, it is against my football religion to EVER cheer for them. So to the Broncos fans, you have one on your side on Sunday (Although, shout out to the Steelers for knocking off the Colts last week. I think everyone in B-More asked for that butt whipping).
Last edited by hillhubbo30 on January 19th at 1:00 PM.
preach man. u speak da truth. specially bout the wagon hoppers. i've been a steelers fan since i was old enuff 2 watch the games(which was the day i was born) n yesterday some !@#$ came up 2 me n said go broncos. i didnt think nuthin of it till i remembered he was a vikings fan!
Hill, I didn't expect you to root for the Steelers. In fact, I was hoping my comment would rile you up even more.
I'm glad to see you uphold your "football religion". But you are giving the Steelers some respect, too. Very commendable.
It seems that the Cowboy fans have disappeared faster than a Britney Spears marriage. Where are they now?
Cowboys fans, Bears fans.....Where have they gone.
I have no choice but to respect Pittsburgh. My husband is a Steelers fan. But that's by default (when Baltimore didn't have a team, he rooted for the Steelers).
Great article, each of your descriptions suits some of my friends and family, I found it "funny 'cause it's true."
On a side note, if you're looking for true fans, look no further than Philadelphia. Despite the select few who have given us a bad name (cheering a near-paralysis for Michael Irvin; booing Santa Claus; throwing batteries at J.D. Drew), we in Philadelphia are the most loyal fans of our teams in the country. If there was a census taken for percentage of fans still seated in the ninth-inning on the losing side of a blowout, Philadelphia would be leaps and bounds ahead of the competition. We demand only the best from everyone associated to our sports teams, and anything less, we'll call for your head on a silver platter. =)
Great post. I am a Panthers guy who appeared out of the blue, as you mentioned. I do have what I feel is a valid reason for that, which is I finally got a laptop at Christmas and didnt really find this website until I was home for two weeks on Loritab, rehabbing from gall bladder surgery right after Christmas. I wrote a couple blogs, but by the time I get home from work, all the things I would write about have already been written and I would get slammed with plagerism accusations, so I just read y'alls.
Way to go Hill, calling out everything that irks me too. I could care less who makes the Super Bowl and who wins it this year since my Falcons did not advance. I will still watch all of the remaining playoffs of course because I am a football fan, and mention great performances when I see them, but like you said, it isn't the same if your team is not in it.
On the fake fan rooting for a divisional rival, the review could be a bit mixed. On one hand you don't like them and do not want to see them succeed, but on the other hand, you have a more prideful explanation as to why your team lost. "See my team had to play the Super Bowl Champs twice, while your team didn't play them once, what's your excuse?"
Also agree that sports should add fun and entertainment to part of your life, they shouldn't run your life like you pointed out. That was absurd what those jerks did to the ref's house. I know you don't incorporate pictures into your articles, but a clip of that Sixers fan in Sandler's "Anger Managment" would go great there. "See Iverson missed a lay up and the Sixers lost, no big deal...EEERRRRGGGGHHH! YOU GOTTA DUNK THAT S#@T, YOU GOTTA DUNK THAT S#@T!"
Trust me, I hate bandwagon fans. I knew a guy who last year was an Eagles fan, and now hes not. I also know people who all of a sudden where Bucs or Patriots fans after the Super Bowls and now their not. I live in Culver, IN. Which is about the same distance between Chicago and Indy. Meaning that most people are either Colts or Bears fans. But I just get sick of the people who like a team only because they are good, and the second everything goes wrong, they forget that the team exists.
I hate that, too, MrNFL. Don't hop on them because they are the World Champs, or because they are the "sexy" team. That really makes me mad.
Scissors- It's okay. You get a pass from me. Some people really are fans of the Final Four. I just found it odd that they came out of the wood works in the past couple of weeks, particularly Broncos fans. There weren't many before, now it's a whole world of them.
Gbrent- That's okay. Your Falcons and my Ravens will be okay next year (hopefully). Well, your team seems more intact then mine right now. Bring on March and April for the salary cap cuts and the draft!
Last edited by hillhubbo30 on January 20th at 5:15 AM.
Interesting blog. I'm a huge Tarheel fan...so naturally I absolutely loath Duke. However, there are many players who have played at Duke over the years that I really like. But here's my point....I NEVER ROOT FOR DUKE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!!!! Duke has many bandwagon fans who hopped onboard during the mid-late 80's when they had the Dawkins/Ferry/Laetner/Hurley crowd. I realize a couple of them played in the early 90's...but you understand what I mean. Of course, that made me hate them even worse. To top it all off, my sister was a student at Duke...that's when my mom switched from the Heels to the Dookies. Whatever happened to total loyalty!!! Fairweather fans are not loyalists either. I put them right up there with the bandwagon fans...maybe even worse!!!
fatmaw1, you're right. Fairweather fans are in the same category as bandwagon fans. I live in Maryland country, but there are plenty of Duke fans that live here, simply because they always win. That really bothers me!!!!
Yeah. They seem to be all over the place. People are such followers...you know! I have family who live in Fallston right outside Baltimore. So I've followed Maryland sports over the years. I don't mind Maryland too bad. I just can't stand to watch Gary Williams whining through 95% of the game..and that may be selling him short. I was certainly rooting for them a few backs in the championship though!! There's only three teams I DO NOT ROOT FOR UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE!!! DUKE, WAKE FOREST, AND KENTUCKY!! Otherwise I just like to see a good game!
Yeah. We used to go up and meet them in Ocean City for a week or so during the summers. Nice place.
I believe that true fans watch their teams and support their teams no matter how bad the situation is. I don't think hating the O's is the way to go with it. At least Tejada was calling him out on it. Don't know that this year will be any better than last. But I do think this situation has put a lot of pressure on the O's management. Don't be a "fairweather" fan. Maryland's women have an outstanding team this year. The Ravens will be back. They are too classy of an organization not too. We're lucky here in North Carolina because of our college sports and classy Panther organization. The Bobcats are starting to gain support, though they really suck right now.
I only hate the O's from an organizarional standpoint. But I still support them as my home team. But Angelos is the worst owner known to mankind!!!!! All he cares about is how much money he will make off of them, which won't be much in another 5 years, because the ballpark will be empty.
MD's woman are kicking serious #### this year. I hope they keep it up.
The Ravens will always be my team, regardless. We need a QB, and a O line, as well as some secondary help. But those will all be addressed in the draft/free agency.
I really like the Panthers to win it this weekend. Steve Smith is a beast. Everyone know to stop him is to win, yet no one can do it. Delhomme is a stud in the playoffs. He has great #s. I just hope they step it up a notch on Sunday, with Goings starting at tailback
Last edited by hillhubbo30 on January 20th at 7:33 AM.
Hill, nice article. I agree with almost everything you say. But I couldn't disagree more with your insistence on rooting for your hometown team. I think this is a horrible attitude. Unfortunately, I feel like the vast majority of people agree with you. Why can't you root for the teams that you love, regardless of where you live. I think it's ridiculous that you think I should have to root for Wisconsin teams, because I'm from Milwaukee. I do root for the Bucks, but I'm a Bills and White Sox fan. I fell in love at a young age. Now, there's no turning back, regardless of where I live.
Last edited by treerollins2 on January 20th at 7:44 AM.
I have always been a Braves fan, ever since I can ever remember. I'm almost ashamed to say this..but winning has gotten to be boring for Atlanta....simply because they can't get back to the World Series. I love them, and will always watch them and support them. But it's the same old results. And they didn't do anything over the break except allow Furcal to sign with the Dodgers. So I don't expect things to change any. I just hope they can maybe make some trades during the season
Good point, treerollins2. Yet, I do think people should support their home teams at some length. Go to a home game every now and then. If the people in the hometowns don't support their teams, how do they expect to make a profit? Having a sports team in any city profits the league, as well as the city that provides their home. I don't think anyone should be against profit and recognition for their city.
But I understand if you love a team so much, regardless of where they are from, then you stick with them. However, home team loyalty was installed in me from my dad when I was young. I have a team that I can call my own, and I'm proud of that.
Last edited by hillhubbo30 on January 20th at 7:54 AM.
Well, at least the Braves know how to be competitive and win games. We haven't had a winning season since 1997 or 1998....Either way, too long to even remember
Yeah, they do....unfortunately the entire season is nothing but a giant tease!!!....and then it's time to choke on all that success!!! They're the masters of that.....much more so than the Bills, or the Broncos were prior to their back to back Championships. Teasers/Chokers start wearing you down after a while.
Interesting how much hateration is coming the Redskins way from the B-more fans...I wonder why? (*cough cough*)
It's also a laugh that Ravens fans think that Redskins fans are rude. Sure they are, but try being a Skins fan and traveling to Baltimore sometime. I was playing a show at the 8x10 a few years ago, and we were from DC, but said nothing about the Redskins. The next band got on stage and started screaming at us, on mic, about how much the Redskins sucked (which was true at the time) and how great the Ravens were. Imagine if I had actually mentioned football. Poor oppressed Ravens fans, I shed a tear for you.
No need to shed a tear for us. It's funny how DC people don't understand how Jack Kent Cooke denied us a team for so many years, shoved Washington down our throats and expected us to love them after all of that.
That's what ownerships can do to people. Turn fans away because of arrogance.
Snyder needs to learn how to be an owenr and let the people he hired to do the dirty work. We have a great organization in the Ravens, so we don't ask for anyone's sympathy.
Personally, I was just being funny when I mentioned the Skins in my blog. I'm not a Skins hater, but because of my DC friends, I do make comments just to get them fired up. But you just made me realize how sensitive you fans can be sometimes.
Last edited by hillhubbo30 on January 20th at 8:18 AM.
The thing that's hurt DC and Baltimore is when outside people think that they're one city. It's like saying NYC and New Haven, CT are one city.
It's now obvious that DC and Baltimore can support Baseball and Football (and probably Basketball, if BMore got a team). When owners promote the "one city" idea, all fans lose big time. Interestingly, when Angelos was trying to keep a team out of DC, the Baltimore Sun took a poll of Orioles fans and they supported a team in DC. Greedy owners don't represent the fans.
Finally (I know this is a butt-long comment) really looking forward to Orioles-Nationals this year! I wish the Skins and Ravens played every year, too.
Oh, no doubt. I can't stand Angelos. I think he's a sorry sack of ####, and I think what he's done to Washington baseball is horrible, by collecting a big chunk of their money. You won't get any arguements with me on that aspect.
Last edited by hillhubbo30 on January 20th at 8:21 AM.
Great article man. I agree with you wholeheartedly. I know quite a few bandwagon jumpers. When my team doesnt get in I usually root for some team I grew up watching. This year that would be the Steelers. I grew up watching them against the Cowboys in the Super Bowl. I hated the Cowboys back then, still do. If a team like that isnt in, I root for a team who has a player I like. I used to love watching Dan Marino play (unless it was against my Vikings) and I would root for the Fins then. Now that he's gone I could care less about the Fins. This year I like Jerome Bettis. I've always loved running backs who punish people. Plus the Bus is a pretty good guy who I respect alot. Go Steelers!
DrCrab- I totally agree with you. I think the Baltimore-DC rivalry is a good one, and I think it will bring a lot of money to both venues. It's sad to say, but with the rate that Angelos is going, he is losing Baltimore natives, who were die hards, to the Nationals. Not that I blame them. At least the Nats have competitive baseball.
Johhnystorm- I'm pretty much the same say. I pick a team that I follow, or a team that has a specific player that I really like. But I never hop on a wagon. I just cheer for them to an extent. Unfortunately, you lost me on the Go Steelers, part. Although I do like the Bus a lot, it's the whole football religion thing. You understand.
Last edited by hillhubbo30 on January 20th at 8:36 AM.
Johhnystorm...you may want to read the article again. You're doing exactly what he talked about hating.....those who like "teams" they don't normally root for because of one stupid player that they like on that team. That makes no sense whatsoever. You're making his case for him!
Not really. We all have a team that we want to make it to the bowl once our team is out of contention, for whatever reason. I'm just saying that I don't go out of my way to say I'm a fan of that team. I like the Panthers, so I'm rooting for them to win. But just because I like them, doesn't make me an actual fan. It just means that I like him. I just don't get caught up in the hype of whether they win or lose. In the end, I really don't care, cause it's not my team.
I just hate when people start rooting for other teams just because it's the "it" thing to do. All you hear about is the Steelers are destined to go all the way, so now their wagon is filled with people who don't even follow them, yet they go and buy terrible towels and all that other junk. Just say you want them to win, but stop kissing their ####.
I mentioned that we all like a player or two on other teams. I like the Bus. But there is no way in hell I'm cheering for them because I like him. No way!
Last edited by hillhubbo30 on January 20th at 8:47 AM.
Hey people, I have ALWAYS liked the Steelers, since 1979. I pointed out the Bus because he is a player I respect, thats all. The Vikings are my favorite team and I stand by them through thick and thin. But don't hate on me because I happen to like a few other teams. I said like, not love. The Vikings are my passion, the Steelers are just another team I grew up on and I happen to respect one of their players more than the rest. SHeesh give it a rest and stop taking yourself too seriously fatmaw1.
Hahahahahaha! Okay guys (or gals). It's all good. My uncle lived in So Cal, and was a huge Raiders fan. So growing up, I was a Raiders fan until we got our own team. I still follow the Raiders to this day. Also, Brett Favre is my favorite player, so obviously I follow the Packers. Until this morning, I mentioned that in my bio, following 2 other teams. I put that out there right up front, just because of how I feel about the whole bandwagon fan thing. I'm not ashamed to say that I follow those other teams. And not having a team for 12 years gives you that right, in some way. :)
But I'll tell you what....When the Ravens play any of them, my loyalty goes strictly to the purple and black, hands down.
Okay people, I wasn't taking myself too seriously. I just think that sometimes people don't read the entire article, in which someone has taken a lot of time to write. Sorry if I offended anyone, seriously.
Hill great article. Just don't understand why you can't root for the team from your division that is the Champion. It shows that you may have a pretty good team but not good enough to beat the champion. Almost always support the champion that beats out my team. To me it just seems like the thing to do and proves my team lost to a great team.
So if you're telling me to root for Duke (I am a Tarheel fan) if they are the champion, just because they are from the ACC, not gonna happen. But I think that's what is great about sports. It would be no fun if we didn't have those bitter enemies.
That's not what I'm saying at all. As a matter of fact, I don't root for anyone in my division. Now, rooting for other teams in your conference, that's a different story.......In the NFL, for example.
Last edited by hillhubbo30 on January 20th at 12:48 PM.
I can't get it to copy from a word document...it seems to only work if I copy and paste directly from the internet web page. So basically, have 2 windows of internet opened...1 for blog, one for web pics.
Usually, just doing a google image search gets the small images needed. Good luck...and glad you found the pics funny.
Pictures - Drag the "insert/modify image" onto the post.
Left click on the "insert/..." icon.
See the Image URL? That box always starts with http://
Go to a photo on the web and right click on it.
You will see "Properties". click on that.
This will give you an address to put into the Image URL....Do it, click Preview, then OK.
Now it is in your blog.
