Sports at every level are a great thing. Although sometimes sports lead to unnecessary violence and pure hatred towards another teams and fans, sports also has the ability to bring people from various backgrounds together and be used for in a more positive way. I can't count the number of times I've high-fived, hugged, carried on genuine small-talk conversations or randomly yelled "Go Tigers!" and started a cadence chant with a complete stranger throughout my twenty years of life. However throughout the years, I've noticed not all fans are created equal. As sports fans, we all fall into different categories. This post takes a look at the different kinds of fans you will come across during your lifetime.
Lets start from the bottom and work our way to the top because, well that's just the logical thing to do here in my opinion.
The Bandwagoner:
We all know at least one person that can fit into this category. (See 75% of Miami Heat fans today) These fans disgust me. Either they have abandoned their team and joined another or simply joined a fan base because a team has put together a string of successful seasons or won a few championships and all of the sudden they wake up one day and decide "hmmm I think I'm gonna pull for the team that's at the top of the league"...and BOOM! They are now a fan. Nobody likes a bandwagoner. Nobody. One day they are reppin' The Steelers, then the next time you turn around they are decked out in Texans gear. Pick a team and stay with it, bro!
The Advanced Bandwagoner:
Shout out to the advanced bandwagoner, though. Despite still being a bandwagon fan, these guys at least put some work in and can name a few former players and coaches. Might can remember the last time "their team" won a championship (IF that has even occurred) and they are quick to defend their loyalty which is, as Charles Ramsey says, a DEAD GIVEAWAY! If you are true fan, you should never even be questioned or have to answer to someone about your loyalty to your team. They will know without question that you are the real deal. If you have ever had to say I'm not a bandwagon, chances are...you probably are. Sorry to break the news to you, but someone has to do it.
The Closet/Fair-weather Fan:
These guys are also some of the worst around. Although you know these guys are fans, they don't really show it all the time like they should. When times are rough and their team is losing they either disappear completely or have a truck load of excuses. But just when they get a winning season or pull a big upset/beat your team, they are blowing up your phone and drive around town with their car flags waving in the air for the next month. Don't be a closet fan! Support your team through thick and thin! You can't truly enjoy the great, mountain top moments without experiencing the embarrassing and valley low moments too.
The "Overboard" Fan:
These guys are actually genuine fans, but take the game a bit overboard. These are the guys that had a few too many beers before they walked into the stadium. They forget (or don't care) that kids are around and yell profanity and talk junk the entire game annoying even their own fellow fans. These guys are best off staying at home but continue to show up every game and put a damper on everyone else's game day experience. Most importantly, these guys are the ones that get arrested for starting a fight halfway through the game once that whiskey really beings to sink in. Sadly, as hard as it is to believe (even for me at times) it really is JUST A GAME. Causing harm to someone/something or ruining a friendship/relationship over a game is just stupid. Don't do it.
The Devoted Fan:
Mad props to these guys. Despite your team being irrelevant pretty much your entire life, you show up every game and cheer your butt off although most of the time you leave the stadium watching the opposing team celebrate. You keep faith alive though and continue to support your team even when you know deep down, they are absolutely terrible. These guys deserve an award. We need more of these type of fans in the world. Never offering up excuses and they have learned to take the heckling like a champ and not be a sore loser. Hats off to the devoted fans of the world. Your day will come, but until then, keep on keeping on! And remember, if you don't remember it, it didn't happen. (Well..... not really, but still.)
The Extreme Tailgater:
One of the best known and favorite of all fans across the board. This guy probably hasn't been inside the stadium since Nixon was president, but every game day he arrives early and pulls up in his RV with a grill/smoker, tables, TVs and of course plenty of food. Hard to not like this guy ( free food...HELLO!!!) These guys are also the real deal cause I'll tell ya what...tailgating is not cheap. They might not attend the games but between paying for their prime parking spot and providing a mouth-watering spread every weekend, these guys definitely support their team in their own special way. Gotta love the hardcore tailgaters. New Orleans-Style gumbo, anyone?
The Life-long Fan:
This guy likely grew up coming to games with his dad and learned all the tools of trade that are needed for a successful game day trip. Its a family tradition that gets passed down and you are born and bred into this fan base. You probably attend/attended school here and will one day love reflecting back on your college days. Your old man might have had a solid parking spot/season tickets as well that he passes down to keep in the family. Another real fan here that hopefully keeps the family tradition alive and remains an active supporter of the school or organization their entire life.
And last but not least........
The Die-Hard Fan:
This one goes without saying. Everyone who knows or has seen this guy knows who he supports. His wardrobe is full of is teams colors.When the team has a 7:30pm kickoff, this guy is in the parking lot at 7:30am already gearing up for the game. This guy has multiple car flags and stickers all over his car. His tailgating spot is recognized by many and he is well known in his parking area. He travels with the team to road games near and far and lives and dies with his team. He's always there ready for game day rain, sleet, or shine and is always prepared. He gets to his seat during pre-game warm ups and doesn't leave until the Alma mater is sung. Often, these are the guys who have zero shame and paint up for games or have outrageous costumes or apparel on game day. He takes the game seriously and although he won't deck you in the face, its probably best to let him be for a few minutes following a loss. I would most likely fit into this group. Anyone who knows me knows I bleed orange and purple. Always have, always will. Die-hards like to talk a little trash but (most) know when to shut up and how to take their beating like a man as well as win to draw the line during times of celebration. They like to enjoy a drink or two before the game and might even run to the car for a drink during halftime to keep the juices flowing, but these guys mean no harm and are there for a good time and to support their team. Everyone can't be a die-hard, its a special breed and takes years to develop. But once you are there, you've reached the top of the food chain of Sports Fans.
Thoughts?
So that about wraps up my take on the different types of fans. Let me know what you think/if you think someone should be added to the list.
SPOT THE BALL.......
113 days till kickoff!!!!
The expectations are at an all time high in South Carolina this year when it comes to college football. Down in Columbia, Steve Spurrier has made the Gamecocks not only relevant in the SEC, but on a national platform. Known for his past history of running the "fun and gun" offense dating back to his days in Gainesville, his squads at South Carolina have been more recently known for their defense. Up the road in Clemson however, the Tigers have made a name for themselves for their skills on offense. With arguably the hottest offensive coordinator in college football and potential Heisman candidate and last year's ACC player of the year Tajh Boyd under center, Clemson has caused defenses headaches and is in position to take it one step further this year. Though someone will have to step up to fill the voids left by running back Andre Ellington in the backfield, wide out Jaron Brown and tight end Brandon Ford, the Tigers have a secret weapon, a few secret weapons actually, that will help make them (potentially) the most explosive offense in college football this fall.
Not many people have talked about it, but when you look at the Tiger's receiving corp, you have to get nervous as an opposing team. Sure, Deandre "Nuk" Hopkins is off to the NFL and will likely be starting when the Houston Texans take the field for their season opener on the road against the Vikings. However, there shouldn't be any fall off from last year's production. Hopkins will be missed for sure but there is another man by the name of Sammy Watkins who took the country by storm his freshmen year. You may have heard of him. Last season he battled off the field issues, injuries, and some sickness but he's one year stronger, one year smarter and is in the best shape of his life. He has grown up and isn't the same Sammy that stepped on the field in Death Valley the past two seasons. He is poised for a breakout season, hopefully to the same caliber we saw from Hopkins last season. Further down the roster, the talent doesn't have a drastic drop in talent. Clemson also returns junior wide out Martavis Bryant whose size, speed and hands could have landed him just about anywhere in the country. He has great potential and will hopefully show the nation what he is capable of this year. Charone Peak has been noted to be just as talented-if not more-than Watkins and is again a case of a guy that just needs to keep working hard and staying focused and his time will come...and that time could very easily be this season.
I also expect to see some action on offense from military hero/veteran Daniel Rodriguez. And I can't forget about my boy Adam Humphries. He reminds me a lot of former Tiger wide out Tyler Grisham who could get you those crucial yards in crunch time. Both are scrappy and have great hands and might not have eye popping stats but play significant roles in the offense's success. We will also have some not so familiar faces take the field in the form of red-shirt freshmen Germone Hopper who we will also see get some touches in the return game. This guy has good hands and is fast. real fast. We will also have true freshmen Mike Williams joining the team this summer when he begins taking summer session classes. The four star in-state commit comes in at 6-5, 205 and is expected to have significant playing time this fall and should make an immediate impact. You'd be hard pressed to find another receiving corp as talented as Clemson's especially with a QB like Tajh Boyd throwing to them. The pieces are in place for Clemson to once again make this season a special one. If the Tigers stay healthy and can be physical up front giving time for Boyd to find his open man or find room to tuck it in run, it should be another exciting year for Tiger fans, And thanks to the improving defense, hopefully Clemson fans won't have to pray the offense scores 40 or more points every game in order for us to win!
