Anything you can do, we can do just as well… or better. As girls, we’re presumed not to have the slightest knowledge about the pigskin being tossed or that orange ball dribbling up the court. Hate to break it to you, but I, along with thousands of other girls, know exactly what they’re talking about on ESPN. Sometimes it’s nonsense, but sports lingo is no foreign language to your average collegiette.
As cheerleaders, we were required to know sports terminology, as well as keep pace with the flow of the game. Every Saturday, I would watch college football games from noon to 1:00 AM (crazy I know). During March Madness, I’d spend weeks at a time drawing up between 5-10 brackets with various outcomes of the tournament. It’s simply because I have a passion for sports. It’s what I love. Being this passionate has allowed me to weed out what I believe are the two primary groups of sports fans: true fans and bandwagon fans. Don’t know the difference? Allow me to elaborate.
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If you can name any of the starters on the O-line, name the head coach, or at least know the name of a player, then you my friend is in the clear. These are probably some of the important things you might want to know if anyone ever brings up your team. I wouldn’t step foot in Tuscaloosa without a clue as to who Bear Bryant was.
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Of course, you’re going to watch your team play during football season, but keeping track of them before and after the season is just as important! One of the most important days of the year is National Signing Day in February, and you might want to be in the know as to who your school is recruiting. You never know if your school will sign the next Brett Farve!
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Never be a fair weather fan! Anyone who does this isn’t a true sports fan. I don’t care what your argument is for it. Teams aren’t always going to have stellar seasons; I mean, look at the University of Georgia. (I’m kidding… somewhat). Every team experiences its fall from grace every once in a while, but as a true fan you have to stay optimistic. Be realistic, but optimistic, nonetheless. In other words, if your team is 0-8 into the season, maybe it’s fine time to save the positivity for next season.
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I mean, I shouldn’t have to mention it, but it’s a sad reality check when proclaimed “sports fans” can’t even tell who is on offense or defense and what their purposes are. I’ve actually had to take time out of watching a football game to explain to a girl what offense and defense do, as well as, tell her when they came out onto the field. Let me help you out if you don’t know. Offense attacks, defense defends. Got it? Let’s hope so, because I’d rather have my attention on the game in front of me.
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A BANDWAGON fan can only name one or two players.
Now, I’m not saying a true fan has to know the entire roster of a team. However, if all of your arguments about Auburn last season consist of “Cam Newton this” and “Cam Newton that,” or if Mark Ingram was the only guy from Alabama you talked about, it’s time for a reality check. Everyone knows them; they’re on ESPN every week! Impress me by naming some of the O-line players, or maybe even the kicker. Don’t try to convince me you’re a fan of Florida by bringing up Tim Tebow.
A BANDWAGON fan only follows the teams with cute players and/or uniforms.
You probably have a surprised look on your face. But, deep down, you know it happens more often than not. Following a team simply because their quarterback is cute is a surefire way to let me know that you’re a bandwagon fan. If you are cheering for a team because the color combination of their uniforms is cute then you too are considered a bandwagon fan. It’s a football game, not a Lilly Pulitzer fashion show. Although, may I add, I do love me some Lilly!
A BANDWAGON fan pretends to like sports to impress people
Sports aren’t for everyone, unfortunately. Give yourself a minute to take that in. However, if you can proudly admit it, own up to it. That is completely fine! Just don’t make the tragic mistake of pretending to like and/or know sports just to impress that guy you’ve had your eye on. He’s going to find it a little strange that you just happen to like every team he likes, and you’ll end up looking like you’re trying to hard. Have some individuality about what teams you root for! Who knows? You two could actually bond over cheering against each other!
A BANDWAGON fan jumps on the bandwagon.
Where did all of the Lakers fans come from recently? What about all the Dallas Maverick fans? I know not one person on any of my social networking sites who was breathing in the direction of Dallas before they went to the finals last year. If you’ve caught yourself only becoming a Giants/Patriots because they went to the Super Bowl this year, or you’ve suddenly hoped on the roll tide train to New Orleans because they went all the way this year, then I’m sorry to say, but you’re one of those bandwagon fans.
There’s nothing wrong with loving sports. I love a good football game every once in a while, except for the LSU-Bama National championship. That was too awful to watch! Just remember that there is a thin line between cheering on a good team and being an overnight, fair weather fan. It’s almost as offensive to sports as those fans who take the love of their team way too far. Don’t know what I mean? Google search “Alabama fan painted” and you’ll see what I mean!
Photo by womenlovesports.com