Define the term 'bandwagon fan'

[MRBLAZE]

What if someones only 18 or 19?

They love sports, maybe never really identified with any team in particular. Obviously, you may be more drawn into watching successful teams like the Patriots or Colts that have become shoe-in's for the playoffs. Isn't it possible they really take an interest in some of our players, and care about whether they win or lose?

I just don't understand, why all the animosity for some of the younger crowd on here? So what that Brady and company is all they know, if they are not going to act like babies or say stuff like "I'll jump ship if we lose Moss", don't act like you're a better fan than they are just because you may be older than they are or live in Boston.

 

[Disco Volante]

As I've said in many topics before this...

It's impossible to be a bandwagon fan and still posting on a Patriots message board following the most disappointing loss in Super Bowl history and still being in the midst of one of the biggest scandal's in NFL history.

By definition of a bandwagon fan, they'd be on the Giants board right now.

Oh and by the way if you didn't watch Steve Grogan play - you're not cool.

 

[ALP]

grogan was retired by the time i started watching football...

and im of the "younger crowd"

but i have not really seen any animosity from older members....

i began to watch football when i lived in boston...and was therefore mostly watching the pats....and since then football has become my favorite sport to watch and play....and the pats became and still are and will always be my favorite team....

and i dont really can if anyone calls me a bandwagon fan...cuz i know the truth

 

[nittanylions52]

To me, a bandwagon fan is one that really follows a team when they're doing well. But during the years when they have losing records, their interest cools a little bit. It doesn't necessarily mean they start rooting for another team, they just don't follow the original one as closely, and aren't as interested. IMO, a fan is a fan whether your team is 16-0 or 1-15. You watch the games if you can, always rooting for your team, whether you believe in your heart they will lose or not. There's always the hope your team will be really good next season, even if you're a realist enough to say "they probably won't make the playoffs or win the Super Bowl this year."

A bandwagon fan sort of reminds me of Randy Moss, actually. If your team is losing, you don't really care anymore, you don't want to play. But if you're winning - then you're all smiles, carefree and happy as can be. It's about love of the game, not wins or losses.

That's what a bandwagon fan is to me, though I'm probably the minority at this point here.

EDIT: Also, a bandwagon fan is typically one who does not live near the area where his/her team plays, and never has. I'm not saying those kinds of people are always bandwagon fans, but that seems to usually be where they come from. Anyone who grows up in the area has a reason to root for that team by sheer proximity and local pride. Anyone who doesn't live near that area must have another reason to root for them. Usually it's because that team is winning.

For example, I'll admit that after last year, I'm a bandwagon Boise State fan. I rooted for them all the way last year, especially against Oklahoma. Did I follow them this year? Not so much. Still wanted them to win, but didn't know who the QB was, or anything.

 

[Gunnails]

As I've said in many topics before this...

It's impossible to be a bandwagon fan and still posting on a Patriots message board following the most disappointing loss in Super Bowl history and still being in the midst of one of the biggest scandal's in NFL history.

By definition of a bandwagon fan, they'd be on the Giants board right now.

Oh and by the way if you didn't watch Steve Grogan play - you're not cool.

======================================

Yep, I am cool.
There was a time when Grogan was my favorite active QB.

Funny how things change.

 

[ALP]

owww, all i can say is....


dang you downgraded

 

[SmokeShowin]

snarf

 

[PatsFanJess]

To me, a bandwagon fan is one that really follows a team when they're doing well. But during the years when they have losing records, their interest cools a little bit. It doesn't necessarily mean they start rooting for another team, they just don't follow the original one as closely, and aren't as interested. IMO, a fan is a fan whether your team is 16-0 or 1-15. You watch the games if you can, always rooting for your team, whether you believe in your heart they will lose or not. There's always the hope your team will be really good next season, even if you're a realist enough to say "they probably won't make the playoffs or win the Super Bowl this year."

A bandwagon fan sort of reminds me of Randy Moss, actually. If your team is losing, you don't really care anymore, you don't want to play. But if you're winning - then you're all smiles, carefree and happy as can be. It's about love of the game, not wins or losses.

That's what a bandwagon fan is to me, though I'm probably the minority at this point here.

EDIT: Also, a bandwagon fan is typically one who does not live near the area where his/her team plays, and never has. I'm not saying those kinds of people are always bandwagon fans, but that seems to usually be where they come from. Anyone who grows up in the area has a reason to root for that team by sheer proximity and local pride. Anyone who doesn't live near that area must have another reason to root for them. Usually it's because that team is winning.

For example, I'll admit that after last year, I'm a bandwagon Boise State fan. I rooted for them all the way last year, especially against Oklahoma. Did I follow them this year? Not so much. Still wanted them to win, but didn't know who the QB was, or anything.

I have to respectfully disagree with your first statement. I think that a bandwagon fan is someone who only follows a team when they're good...and just plain leaves and moves on when that team is no longer good.When a team does starts to perform poorly, it's natural to cool down on them a bit. You still watch every game, you still love them....but it's natural to not feel as hyped when youre team sucks. That doesn't mean your a bad fan or a bandwagon fan. Also, I agree with you kinda about the bandwagon fan stuff. However, I think it's wrong to judge or dismiss people as bandwagon fans bf you know them, regardless of where they live. I'm not saying you, I'm just saying ppl in general. Since I moved to PA to go to school, everyone who does not know me is under the impression I'm a bandwagon Pats fan. Never mind that I'm from MA, a lifelong Pats fan, and my family has been season ticket holders for decades. I go to the store in a Patriots sweatshirt and everyone has something to say about. A lot of times I get..."You're a traitor"...I don't even know what to make of that. I think that Philly fans are just hardcore, but I'm always shocked by what some old hag or some punk little kid has to say to me bc I'm wearing Pats stuff. So..I try not to judge people as bandwagon fans because they live somewhere else in the country...at least bf I know their story

 

[nittanylions52]

I have to respectfully disagree with your first statement. I think that a bandwagon fan is someone who only follows a team when they're good...and just plain leaves and moves on when that team is no longer good.When a team does starts to perform poorly, it's natural to cool down on them a bit. You still watch every game, you still love them....but it's natural to not feel as hyped when youre team sucks. That doesn't mean your a bad fan or a bandwagon fan. Also, I agree with you kinda about the bandwagon fan stuff. However, I think it's wrong to judge or dismiss people as bandwagon fans bf you know them, regardless of where they live. I'm not saying you, I'm just saying ppl in general. Since I moved to PA to go to school, everyone who does not know me is under the impression I'm a bandwagon Pats fan. Never mind that I'm from MA, a lifelong Pats fan, and my family has been season ticket holders for decades. I go to the store in a Patriots sweatshirt and everyone has something to say about. A lot of times I get..."You're a traitor"...I don't even know what to make of that. I think that Philly fans are just hardcore, but I'm always shocked by what some old hag or some punk little kid has to say to me bc I'm wearing Pats stuff. So..I try not to judge people as bandwagon fans because they live somewhere else in the country...at least bf I know their story

I completely agree that you shouldn't judge before you know someone. And just because someone is young (and has only seen the Pats win, essentially), doesn't make them a bandwagon fan. Also, people probably stupidly think that if you're living in an area, then you grew up there. Unjustified, but still happens nonetheless.

I think it's hard for me to get my point across as far as my first statement. I concur that your feelings aren't as nice when a team is losing. I'll tell you up front that I'm a fan of the Buffalo Bills. They went 7-9 this year. I'm in Indiana, so I don't get to watch the games unless they're primetime (and we all know how they did on the primetime games). But I didn't follow them any less than if they went 16-0. I always had hope that they could win the next game, despite any losing streak they currently had. It's upsetting when they lose, but I follow them because I love learning about the game, and I love watching them play whether they are winning or losing. It's exciting to watch them play the sport.

Maybe I'm somewhat hardcore, but that's what I see it as. How many times do you really see someone root for a team, but then change teams? Maybe young teenagers, but we all know they're pretty fickle (if I offended anyone, don't worry; I was one once too haha). People don't just start rooting for the Colts because they won the Super Bowl and then they stop rooting for the Colts and start rooting for the Giants the next year. I just don't see it happening that way. So imo, a bandwagon fan is someone who follows the team more when they are winning than when they're losing. I hardly ever see someone completely "move on," so that's why I defined it that way.

I don't mind agreeing to disagree. I may be having some trouble explaining exactly what I mean. But this is obviously something that is an opinion, and you're perfectly welcome to disagree with me.

 

[PatsFanJess]

Oh yeah. Maybe disagree was the wrong word. You are absolutely entitled to your opinion. I didn't mean for it to come off like that. I have problems getting out what I mean, as well. I hope you dont take offense to that, I just disagree with a small portion of your argument...I dont think you were wrong by any means.

 

[PatsFanJess]

I actually see quite a few ppl move on, so that's probably where my opinion comes from. Once again, don't take anything I said the wrong way.

 

[IcyPatriot]

======================================

Yep, I am cool.
There was a time when Grogan was my favorite active QB.

Funny how things change.

Gunnails ... a Jets fans from Oregon.

Not a bandwagon fan ... representing his team good or bad.

 

[Gunnails]

Gunnails ... a Jets fans from Oregon.

Not a bandwagon fan ... representing his team good or bad.

===============================

I take that as quite a complement.

I am 46 and I remember being a Dolphin fan win I was about 11. I read the book Griese Csonka One Two Punch.

I have a picture of me on the first day of school of my 5th grade year wearing a Vikings Jacket. I read the book Better Scramble Then Pass, the Fran Tarkington story.

I was a band wagon fan, I was a kid.

About the time that Grogan was done with his run I became a Jets fan.
Once you drink the Kool Aid you kinda get sucked in and become obsessive hard core.

I blame Joe Namath, Dad called him a hippie, said look at Johny Unitas that's a real man, I just always thought Joe was so cool. lol.

Some people never get sucked in to a team and just kinda of float around and go with the flavor of the month. Sucks to be them.

At the same time I use to be a huge Blazer fan. Now I am getting back into the NBA again.
Blazer have a real nifty team right now.

But in the mid 90s the NBA went to hell for a while especially the Blazers and I took a time out on them, the Blazers were giving me a **** sandwich and wanting me to pay for it, they sank low enough that I became disillusioned and bailed on the whole NBA.

The Jets are not a very good team to be a fan of because they don't win games, but not in a Portland Trail Blazers of the mid 90s to 05 or so sort of way

 

[Jangles]

well ok

I just registered on this board during the playoffs and I've been watching every thread since.

I'm from Montana, the only broadcasted games are the packers, Vikes, and seahawks and the Pats just because everyone wants to check in on the pats record.

I have to deal with people calling me a bandwagoner every time I wear my Pats Eagles Superbowl sweatshirt and what not. It gets old fast and nobody accepts me as a true fan because of the focus on the the three other teams I mentioned.

I'm 19 years old and will admit before this year I didn't watch much football but when I read that alot of Pats players played to win and not for money my respect for the team grew. I now love this orginization more than any other in professional sports.

When we lost the superbowl I was devestated beyond anything I have ever felt before. It was a real world pain I felt and it was more than just a game to me at that point.

 

[Patjew]

My eldest is 10. She cried after the Super Bowl. Everyone starts young, they're not all bandwagoners.

I think what irks some of us older posters (OK, I'm only 34) is when people act like the Pats are entitled to win every year, and when they don't, they're failures. I don't buy that. Also, it bugs me to see the extreme highs and lows, especially during individual games (e.g., "screw you Brady!") or FA time (like all the crap we're seeing now). I don't know, I think those of us that endured the 1-15 season may have a bit more perspective than others. At least some of us do, anyway.

When I see anger and vitriol at short-term decisions and and "would you still be a Pats fan if Brady left" posts, it makes me think of the bandwagon.

 

[jetophile]

Your team should've remained the Boston Patriots, for starters. It's like calling a team the Southern Conglomerate Floridians.

 

[Patjew]

Your team should've remained the Boston Patriots, for starters. It's like calling a team the Southern Conglomerate Floridians.

They should be called the Buddy Cianci Patriots. Foxboro is closer to Providence than Boston.

 

[Pats726]

Your team should've remained the Boston Patriots, for starters. It's like calling a team the Southern Conglomerate Floridians.

maybe for starters how silly is it to be a fan of a team..that doesn't play in the state they represent...call them the JERSEY JETS...

 

[pepper03]

My eldest is 10. She cried after the Super Bowl. Everyone starts young, they're not all bandwagoners.

I think what irks some of us older posters (OK, I'm only 34) is when people act like the Pats are entitled to win every year, and when they don't, they're failures. I don't buy that. Also, it bugs me to see the extreme highs and lows, especially during individual games (e.g., "screw you Brady!") or FA time (like all the crap we're seeing now). I don't know, I think those of us that endured the 1-15 season may have a bit more perspective than others. At least some of us do, anyway.

When I see anger and vitriol at short-term decisions and and "would you still be a Pats fan if Brady left" posts, it makes me think of the bandwagon.

My youngest is 10 and she cried after the Super Bowl too...it was tough to see her so upset but I explained (even though I felt like crying with her!) that what she's grown up with is NOT NORMAL! I am 46 and had to wait until I was 40 for the first Pats championship....and being a Red Sox fan well that was an even a longer wait!

I suggested we watch the Celtics to take her mind off it and she said "Why, so I can root for them all year and have them lose at the end?". Now that's when I knew her perception was warped-it's not her fault, she has been so fortunate to grow up in this era she has no idea what it is really like to follow a team through tough times-but she watched the Celtics game that night and has moved on-so I think it's not fair to dismiss young fans as "bandwagon"-they haven't had the time to establish a deep and abiding relationship with the team they chose to root for.

My oldest is 15 and he watches the big games and follows the teams not much at all-and when they lost he was sad but got over it the next day. My husband is a Viking fan-now he never lived in Minnesota but growing up fell in love with that team and the whole Purple People Eater thing and the snow games-and to his credit he's still a Vikings fan-so I don't the geography can be used as a measure of a "bandwagon fan".

So it's not age or geography in my mind-it's loyalty. I will be a Pats fan until there is no more me or no more Pats-whether they go 19-0, 1-15, win three more Super Bowls, never make the playoffs again, and no matter who is the QB, WR, RB, Coach, GM or anything else-because a long time ago something clicked between a little girl and a team-an unbreakable bond that lasts to this very day.

 

[SaCaCh]

OPINION: If you are young you have raw emotions so following and stop following a team can be expected and is fine IMHO. But its the older ones that would get the label "bandwagon fan" and for me thats easily defineable as you are a "bandwagon fan" if you are not watching every game of a 1-15 season.