What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

I've been thinking about this lately with the OSU game coming up. As a Michigan fan, I've been to Columbus and completely hated the experience and most of the people I came across. However, I've been only once, whereas the message board I hang out at has a few Buckeyes, all of whom are very reasonable and intelligent people. Conversely, my trip to Notre Dame was perfectly fine and I loved the place, but my main source of exposure to ND fans is ndnation, which is easily the worst message board in the history of the internet (unless everything posted there is a parody). So I tend to view Domers as irrational self-absorbed dicks, even though anyone I've ever met in person has been a total class act.

The correct classification of ND and OSU fans aside, what shapes your image of fan bases? Actual experiences at games, friends you have, images on TV, or internet message board discussions? Other?

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

Mine comes from the games I've been to. I went to the Eagles Jaguars game this past weekend, I'm obviously a Jags fan, and I wore my Tony Boselli. I knew that I was going to be the butt of many jokes and insults. I was not expecting to have beer poured on me and people willing to fight me.

But, at the Meadowlands for both Jet and Giant games I did not get anywhere near the harrassment that I recieved at Lincoln Financial. I was expecting Jet fans to be as bad as Iggle fans but they were fun to be with, until the Jags won in OT. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Giant fans have been the best by far, fun, loud and overall great experience.

I never expected NJ/NY people to be THAT much nicer that Philly fans.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

Gameday experience as well as how I see the fans acting on T.V. I'm also a Jags fan and was at Lambeau Field last year when the Jags played at Green Bay. Was treated really well (even after the game which the Jags won). Of course it was so damn cold - maybe that kept people from making unnecessary movements such as taking a swing at me - lol.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

Philadelphia Eagles fans are the toughest fans in the NFL on opposing fans. The only team that might be even close is Oakland. You would expect tough treatment in other places, such as New York, but Philly is far worse. Going in there with an opposing jersey on is just a mistake, and you have to know that going in and deal with the consequences.

I was at the Owens game a few weeks ago. We made a girl cry with the stuff we were chanting at her.

Is it right? No, not really. Does it shape good opinions? Of course not. It's just reality.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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Philadelphia Eagles fans are the toughest fans in the NFL on opposing fans. The only team that might be even close is Oakland. You would expect tough treatment in other places, such as New York, but Philly is far worse. Going in there with an opposing jersey on is just a mistake.

I was at the Owens game a few weeks ago. We made a girl cry with the stuff we were chanting at her.

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That's what I don't understand. Fans are not players, you go there to watch the game. I don't see how fans can't figure out the line between fan and player. The players are the one playing the violent sport, we are there to cheer our team and enjoy the product they give us. Maybe that is my mentality because I actually play the sport at the college level now and have aspirations to go further, into coaching and such.

Anyway, I knew it was going to be hostile, hell they have a court right there in that maginificent complex. They did do a tremendous job there btw.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

I'm a Kings fan and I abhor all Lakers fans. A lot are championship riders and I can't stand them.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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That's what I don't understand. Fans are not players, you go there to watch the game. I don't see how fans can't figure out the line between fan and player. The players are the one playing the violent sport, we are there to cheer our team and enjoy the product they give us. Maybe that is my mentality because I actually play the sport at the college level now and have aspirations to go further, into coaching and such.

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No, I agree. For whatever reason, there is just a higher percentage of drunken jerks that will throw beer and throw punches than at other stadiums. It's as much tradition and reputation as anything. Some people want to be the "tough guy" that holds up the Eagles reputation by fighting a Cowboys fan.

FWIW, I'm not into being nice to opposing fans. You won't see me offering a beer or food to opposing fans at a tailgate, and I definitely chant stuff at them. But I wouldn't throw a beer, and certainly not a punch. That's way too far.

But at the same time, I won't rat out fans that do to security. During the Dallas game, a fan standing practically next to me threw a beer on a Cowboys fan walking up the stairs. Security came over to throw the guy out, and every Eagles fan in the area pointed backwards, as if to say, "he ran back that way." The culprit was still standing right there.

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hell they have a court right there in that maginificent complex. They did do a tremendous job there btw.

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Yeah they really did. It's a great stadium.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

If they cheer for teams worse than mine, they're mosochistic idiots. If they cheer for teams better than mine, they're bandwagon jumping elitest asshats.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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FWIW, I'm not into being nice to opposing fans. You won't see me offering a beer or food to opposing fans at a tailgate, and I definitely chant stuff at them. But I wouldn't throw a beer, and certainly not a punch. That's way too far. But at the same time, I won't rat out fans that do to security.

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Klassy!

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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If they cheer for teams worse than mine, they're mosochistic idiots. If they cheer for teams better than mine, they're bandwagon jumping elitest asshats.

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Perfect.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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I'm a Kings fan and I abhor all Lakers fans. A lot are championship riders and I can't stand them.

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lol, I'm sorry that you've just lost 50% of your fanbase to Phoenix. I wonder why that is.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

Not really. Nice try though. You act like there are lots of movement within the Sacremento faithful. Look at how often they sell out and how many years. The growth might be smaller but I don't see many people moving to Phoenix as their favorite team who were Sacremento fans. Personally I hate Nash so I'll never go, nor would I want to go.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

honestly, forming a broad opinion of any fan base is like being a racist. every team is going to have some [censored] and idiots, some gentlemen and intelligent fans. you can make broad generalizations (i'm confident royals fans are nicer than yankee fans as a whole), but eventually you learn that you can't tell anything about an individual by what team they cheer for, just like you can't do this based on race, religion, economic status, or any of that.

i left out gender, because all women are crazy. if you discuss this at length with a girl, she will eventually admit it is true.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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honestly, forming a broad opinion of any fan base is like being a racist. every team is going to have some [censored] and idiots, some gentlemen and intelligent fans. you can make broad generalizations (i'm confident royals fans are nicer than yankee fans as a whole), but eventually you learn that you can't tell anything about an individual by what team they cheer for, just like you can't do this based on race, religion, economic status, or any of that.

i left out gender, because all women are crazy. if you discuss this at length with a girl, she will eventually admit it is true.

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I disagree. I think you have it backwards. IMO, you can't judge individual fans based on your opinions of a fan base - i.e. just because K State fans are tools and your neighbor down the street is a K St. fan then he must be a tool. That's wrong. But you CAN judge an entire fanbase, based on their actions.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

i think almost all fan bases suck

i am very upset with the way people use cheering for their favorite team as an oppurtunity to say that they are better than people who cheer for another team. Getting in someone's face over the achievements of other people on a playing field is disgusting. I go to enjoy my team, not to tell Joe Blow the Peacocks fan how much he sucks at life.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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i think almost all fan bases suck

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This forum proves it. It's probably the most humorless one on the whole site. Even the "About the Forums" forum is more enjoyable than this one. Jesus, just yesterday I tried to make a joke and a poster took it in the worst possible context and said he lost all respect for me, etc.

The fact that this forum is utterly devoid of fun is particularly ironic considering its subject matter.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

Another aspect of this... The SF Giant's crowd at the 'Stick had a lot of negative energy, some opportunistically mayhem minded in bleachers, etc. With the new stadium's location, better team, higher ticket prices, more season ticket holders, different surrounding neighborhoods, freshness of the experience, etc. changed the demographic of attendees drastically.

Sometimes the current fan base is criticized for being a wine and brie set. True enough, but the experience is a lot better, atmosphere is more family friendly-- which would be nice if family's could afford to go.

My point, I think, is that the fan base didn't change much, but what was on display in the stadium did.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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Not really. Nice try though. You act like there are lots of movement within the Sacremento faithful. Look at how often they sell out and how many years. The growth might be smaller but I don't see many people moving to Phoenix as their favorite team who were Sacremento fans. Personally I hate Nash so I'll never go, nor would I want to go.

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I live in Sac now.. the town seems pretty faithful to the Kings. It'll be funny when the Maloofs pack up and ship the team to Vegas.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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i think almost all fan bases suck

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This forum proves it. It's probably the most humorless one on the whole site. Even the "About the Forums" forum is more enjoyable than this one. Jesus, just yesterday I tried to make a joke and a poster took it in the worst possible context and said he lost all respect for me, etc.

The fact that this forum is utterly devoid of fun is particularly ironic considering its subject matter.

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Haha, this is a terrific point - and even the irony used on here is utterly humorless (e.g. the constant 'Derek Jeter is the best' sarcasm).

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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Mine comes from the games I've been to. I went to the Eagles Jaguars game this past weekend, I'm obviously a Jags fan, and I wore my Tony Boselli. I knew that I was going to be the butt of many jokes and insults. I was not expecting to have beer poured on me and people willing to fight me.

But, at the Meadowlands for both Jet and Giant games I did not get anywhere near the harrassment that I recieved at Lincoln Financial. I was expecting Jet fans to be as bad as Iggle fans but they were fun to be with, until the Jags won in OT. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Giant fans have been the best by far, fun, loud and overall great experience.

I never expected NJ/NY people to be THAT much nicer that Philly fans.

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Unfortunately, most fans of the Eagles (who go to the games at least) are trash. You can have a dominant fan base without resorting to pouring beer on people and yelling at 8-year olds in the opposing team's jersey. I have found other cities to have much more passionate fans, who don't need to be over the top to prove it. Hopefully, when I have kids I'll be a small cog in changing the culture of Philly sports fans. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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Mine comes from the games I've been to. I went to the Eagles Jaguars game this past weekend, I'm obviously a Jags fan, and I wore my Tony Boselli. I knew that I was going to be the butt of many jokes and insults. I was not expecting to have beer poured on me and people willing to fight me.

But, at the Meadowlands for both Jet and Giant games I didnot get anywhere near the harrassment that I recieved at Lincoln Financial. I was expecting Jet fans to be as bad as Iggle fans but they were fun to be with, until the Jags won in OT. [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] Giant fans have been the best by far, fun, loud and overall great experience.

I never expected NJ/NY people to be THAT much nicer that Philly fans.

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Philly fans are in a different phylum than anybody else, it's not even close.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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i think almost all fan bases suck

i am very upset with the way people use cheering for their favorite team as an oppurtunity to say that they are better than people who cheer for another team. Getting in someone's face over the achievements of other people on a playing field is disgusting. I go to enjoy my team, not to tell Joe Blow the Peacocks fan how much he sucks at life.

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I have to say I agree with you here. Too many times people don't enjoy their team unless they are putting someone else down. I always think of watching the 2004 lakers with a bandwagon detroit fan who spent the entire night making fun of me and the lakers. During game five that is. It just sucks all the joy out of the game.

Re: What shapes your opinion of opposing fan bases?
 

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Some people want to be the "tough guy" that holds up the Eagles reputation by fighting a Cowboys fan.

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That's the truth. It's weird how Philly fans bitch about their rep sometimes, but deep down they're proud of it.

I used to base my opinion on message boards; and I stopped doing that a couple years ago when I realized most Bills fans are idiots. So I guess now I just base it on loyalty, and try to estimate what % of them are hometown fans. I like Browns fans more than Steelers fans because half of Pittsburgh's fan base are people who grew up in the 70's and decided it was cool to root for them because they were winning.