McBoog Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 With all the “homerism” displayed, especially during playoff time, it got me thinking about all the different “favorite” teams I have had through my life. Neither of my parents were Football fans (but evolved to like it as I got more involved, played and coached), and it is truly a love that I developed on my own, maybe was even born with. Due to this and the fact that we moved around a lot as a kid, I have had a few different favorite teams through my life. I even tend to “follow” a team from each division as my group of “second favorite” teams. This helps me really stay in touch with the NFL and helps with player awareness for Fantasy Football. Some people I am sure, have lived in the same area for most of their lives and bled their team color, without fail, for their full life memory. I was interested in seeing what you all have to say about “team loyalty” from a fans perspective, and see how many of the “wandering alliance” fans we have as opposed to the life-long diehards. My first two favorite teams were the Packers and the Rams. The Rams had cool helmets (hey, I was six) and the Pack had Starr, Lombardi and a lot of TV coverage, which I am sure influenced my allegiance as a child learning the game on my own. As I became more aware of all the teams, and discovered my Grandpa was a Steeler fan, I became a Steeler fan. We also lived part of the year in Florida, and was fortunate enough to be a BIG Phin fan during the 17-0 season (much more impressive than whatever the Pats fans spew about, I have already forgotten “how many in a row” they have won). Living in Connecticut, I also liked the Pats, but back then they were the Boston Patriots, and did not try to appeal to all of New England until after we had moved away. I have always kinda rooted for them as well anyway. When we moved to San Diego, I was excited to finally have “my own” “NFL” team in the actual city I lived in. I have endured the horrid drug infested years of Harland Savare, the Glory years of Air Coryell, Bobby Ross and the first Super Bowl (butt whoopin ), the misery of the 90’s and the pleasant surprise of 2004 ! So, most of my life I have been a Bolt fan, but those old allegiances don’t seem to die. I still keep a hopeful eye on those other teams (unless they are playing or effecting the Chargers), but have settled in to being a Charger fan. I think that it is so ingrained now, that moving to a different city won’t ever change that! What is funny, is that some of these Pats fans, see: RETARDEDTUNA, are so stupid and pushy (pumping Brady as God etc.) about the wonderful accomplishments of the organization that they drive the fringe fan like me away! I thought I was going to enjoy the Pats/Steeler game more as a football fan, given my past feelings, than wanting one team to win over the other. What I found was a inner desire to see the Steelers win so morans like UT would shut up! These guys are, if possible, more obnoxious and ridiculous than Raider fans! I think the Pats will win the SB, but will be rootin' for the Eagles/underdog. Well, this was longer than I expected/wanted, but it is something I don’t think I have seen here before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darin3 Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 I can't write a novel, like McBoog's post but I'll say this: In the 70's, I liked the Steelers. For some reason, I liked their logo. And the fact it was only on one side of the helmet. Plus I liked the Swann-Stallworth-Lipps-Bradshaw thang. And Mean Joe Greene. Then, as I started to appreciate sports more - and for the right reasons - I started following my "hometown" Bears. I never really lived in Chicago, although my parents are from there and I visited nearly every summer. But it was hard to root for my REAL "hometown" teams. I couldn't stand the "thug" nature of the Raiders, and the Rams were often times unwatchable. And something told me they weren't here to stay. I was right. So I was a Bears fan (without NFL Sunday Ticket - ack!) I was a Bears fan at the right time, of course. Sweetness. McMahon. Gault. The D. The Superbowl Shuffle. I'm still a Bears fan, don't get me wrong... and now with NFL Sunday Ticket I rarely miss a game... As much as I love the Bears, however, I have taken a liking to the closest NFL team remaining in Southern California. The Chargers are easy to root for. LT's a budding star (under-rated, if you ask me). I love the way Brees shook off the Rivers draft pick and had a solid season. I'm a big fan of Quentin Jammer (I think he comes up big next season). The Gates story is amazing. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keggerz Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 (edited) From the philly area so will always be an EAGLES HOMER! but also always liked a few AFC teams: Seahawks for reasons I have explained before(test the BJ Database) Colts-back when they were still in BALT yeah that long(why? another one for the Database) Oilers/Titans hey what can I say Pastorini was Italian I had to root for him always been a quasi Vikes fan too just not sure exactly why as for teams i have a disdain for the cowboys will always be number 1 on my LOVE to HATE list! followed closely by the Gnats Edit* god it was awful living thru the Marion "SwampFox" Campbell days also not many fans probably remember but Reid wasnt exactly embraced when he was hired(nothing against him but most fans thought laurie(sp?) was just being cheap) Edited January 24, 2005 by keggerz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McBoog Posted January 24, 2005 Author Share Posted January 24, 2005 Sweet post darin3! By the way, after the Bolts, my "second favorite teams" are (not in any order): AFC: Dolphins / Steelers / Texans NFC: Eagles / Pack / Panthers / Rams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vet Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 My dad came to this country from Ireland in the early 1960's. He alway's had an appetite for the underdog - having come here with basically nothing, I think he viewed himself as an underdog. So, he naturally gravitated toward the underdogs - the New York Titans and the newly-formed New York Mets. He enjoyed some early success, with the Jets and Mets winning championships in '68 and '69. I was one year old when the Jets last one the Superbowl. I naturally accepted them as my team when I was really young. I rebelled for one year when a uncle bought me a Redskins jacket when I was six, but as soon as I outgrew it I lost interest in the Skins. So, to make a long story short - my father ended up getting the ultimate revenge on me for everything bad I did when I was a kid - he made me a Jets fan. A cross I'll have to bear for the rest of my life. And - I'm not letting the next generation off any easier. My two boys, ages 5 and 2, watched the AFC Divisional game with me wearing their Pennington and Martin spamshirts. I wouldn't have it any other way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 I was born in Indiana, but was raised in Illinois and loved the Packers during the Lombardi "Glory Years". When I moved to Chicago during medical school and residency, I couldn't get enough of Da Bears. Since moving to San Diego in 1978 I've been a Charger fan. My wife wants to move to Colorado when I retire. I don't know if I can be a Bronco fan! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clubfoothead Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 There's the Dallas Cowboys and then there's another 31 I can't name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McBoog Posted January 24, 2005 Author Share Posted January 24, 2005 And - I'm not letting the next generation off any easier. My two boys, ages 5 and 2, watched the AFC Divisional game with me wearing their Pennington and Martin spamshirts. I wouldn't have it any other way. 670542[/snapback] My wife and I were at that game (see THIS THREAD), but my 2 1/2 year old twins were at home, watching with Gandma, he had his LT jersey and she was wearing her Edwards jersey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McBoog Posted January 24, 2005 Author Share Posted January 24, 2005 I was born in Indiana, but was raised in Illinois and loved the Packers during the Lombardi "Glory Years". When I moved to Chicago during medical school and residency, I couldn't get enough of Da Bears. Since moving to San Diego in 1978 I've been a Charger fan. My wife wants to move to Colorado when I retire. I don't know if I can be a Bronco fan! 670548[/snapback] I don't think you can ever be a fan of teams that were in the same division that you used to be "passionate" about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
REZ Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 My dad was a 49er fan and I've stayed one even after moving to Southern California. I kinda root for the Chargers but I'm only passionate about the niners. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skylive5 Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Died in the wool Redskins fan from the 'git-go'. Have dallied with rooting for three other teams in my time, but the 'Skins always came first no matter the ups and downs, good or bad, winning or losing. Was a Oakland fan during Maddens day. A Niner's fan during the Montana days. But both of those were mostly because of certain people and not the actual team/franchise. I try real hard to root for the Seahawks just because I live so close but it sure is tough. Doubt I will ever transfer my full alligiance to any other team. Redskins have me body and soul no matter where I have lived or will live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squeegiebo Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 I grew up in Pittsburgh in the 1970s - need I say more? I did kinda root for the Pats when I lived in Boston (1991-95). That has changed. With the rest of the teams, I usually root for players rather than teams. If there are a lot of players I like on one team, I'll root for the team, such as with the Colts. But the Steelers always come first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief Dick Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Always been a Chiefs fan and always will. Diehard Royals fan as well. Used to be a KC Kings fan before they moved to Sacramento. KC Wizards fan in the MLS. The long and short of it is I'm a Kansas City fan through and through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bier Meister Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 grew up in san francisco. even when i was young (and didn't know that ff existed), i still rooted for players, and in turn, their teams. loved fouts et al, liked curt warner, zorn, kraig, largent... in high school lott and easley were my idols. so followed the chargers and hawks...more into hawks. but they really didn't come close to the 49ers. as painfull as it is to watch them now, i still root for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chargerz Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 I don't think you can ever be a fan of teams that were in the same division that you used to be "passionate" about! 670571[/snapback] I hear ya! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retrograde assault Posted January 24, 2005 Share Posted January 24, 2005 Was a Packer fan for a short period back in the 60's and then saw the light and came in from the cold to root for them Dallas Cowboys from the mid 60's to the present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunysteelfly76 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Like any ten year old kid my favorite football team was the best one. By the time the Steelers began to fade my loyalties had been set in stone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big John Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Packers fan Don't know how much interest I will have for the Falcons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squeegiebo Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 As I stated in my other, more inflammatory post, I really do not understand the rabid fan of a professional team. College...maybe...after all, you are part of the school. 670782[/snapback] But you're not part of the city in which your homer team is located? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimC Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Been a fan since birth and will never change. I've still got the "1" in the 1-15 on tape for the Cowboys. That Paul Palmer could run! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Menudo Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Well, I've been in Central Pennsylvania my whole life. I have been a devoted Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Penn State Nittany Lions fan since I was young enought to realize what is going on. My fandom most definitely came from my father, who is a big-time sports fan and has rooted for the same teams all his life. The only fandom I developed myself was for the Utah Jazz. I'm not into the NBA too much anymore and my father never liked basketball. I used to really enjoy the NBA and started liking the Jazz because, obviously, Pittsburgh doesn't have a basketball team, I dislike all things Philly and I enjoyed watching John Stockton and Karl Malone play together and developed an interest in that team. I am 30 now, so even if I would move, my allegiance is so strong, that I don't see anyway I could share my fandom with any team, probably because it has been developed for 30 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homey123 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 But you're not part of the city in which your homer team is located? 670793[/snapback] Fair point but I tend to see the professional sports teams in my city as businesses, not part of the community. In college, you are a part of the community. You are a fellow student or alumnus with the college athlete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
broncosn05 Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 Dolphins..... Heck they beat the Pats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitansFan Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 (edited) I wasn't in to football until 1998 or so. Up 'til then, I was a fan of the NBA (which I now can care less about). I immediately became a fan of the Titans, though I can't quite remember why (I was ten, so it could've been anything). My dad has been and is a Steelers fan, so those first few years were pretty tough with them being division rivals. Despite this, I never wavered, and am even more loyal now than I was when I first became a fan. Edited January 25, 2005 by TitansFan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitansFan Posted January 25, 2005 Share Posted January 25, 2005 You mean "wavered." 670820[/snapback] Oops, I missed that one. Changed now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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