How did you pick your favorite team? (any sport)

[Requiem]

Scroll to the bottom if you just want to discuss the questions in the title, or if you're not one of the people being 'addressed' in the thread.

Alright douchebags. Since everyone insists on calling me a 'bandwagon jumper' for liking the Colts, I will make this thread. This is going to be the last and only thread I will address this 'issue' in, because honestly I am at the point where it's just annoying and is preventing actual discussion because every time I bring up a valid point someone calls me a bandwagon jumper and acts like my opinion doesn't matter. Other than this thread, I am just not going to respond to anyone who makes that comment, because it is childish and has pretty much been the sole reason for me suddenly disliking some posters on here that I didn't previously have any issue with.

The majority of you will continue to call me a bandwagon jumper because you are all whiny fags who don't like the fact that I didn't become a fan of a team based on the criteria that you became a fan of your favorite team. As if there is some golden set of rules to becoming a fan of a team. Hell, most of you probably won't even read everything, and I'll get replies back with comments about things that are already addressed here... because most of the people in question have done that consistently already.

I am not going to explain why I am a fan of the Colts. That has already been explained in the NFL thread several times.

First, people said I should follow a local team. Well, I have no interest in the Kansas City Chiefs. I have never been a fan of football, period, before last year's Super Bowl. I have heard locals talk about the Chiefs or the Rams growing up, and I discarded most of what was said because I didn't care.

Someone said it was logical to like your local team, so that you could get memoribilia and go to their games. I responded that I don't care about that, because I can easily shop online, and if I'm going to go to a football game, it will be an event that I don't mind traveling for. I also don't plan on living here forever, so what is the point of picking a local team for those reasons, if those reasons aren't going to be applicable for a long time? I'm not a Chargers fan just because I was born near San Diego.

In other words, I don't feel I should be obligated to like a team just because I am close to them, and in my opinion that is a stupid thing to solely base your decision on, because it has nothing to do with the team.

Now I have to ask... Is someone considered a bandwagon jumper if they live in a state that has no football team? What if you are in an area where the nearest team is 5 hours away and in a different state? Or even farther in some cases. When they decide what football team they like, what criteria do you expect them to use? If they didn't grow up around sports, and their family has no predisposition to a certain team already, what is supposed to be the deciding factor in the team they choose?

The reason I ask, is because the only difference in a situation like that, and my situation, is that my state has a football team. The theory is the same, though.

Are they forbidden by the die-hard fans to root for a team just because that team is good? How is a GOOD team supposed to get new permanent fans, when anyone who becomes a fan of them is labeled as a bandwagon jumper? If that were the case, a fanbase would never grow. It would remain 'in the family'.. people would like a team because their dad liked them. Or 'because they're local'. And neither of those reasons are bad reasons, by any means. They just don't apply to this hypothetical.

If I was a bandwagon jumper, that would imply that I am not a loyal fan of any team. That I become a fan of a team just because they are good.

However, I do not plan on being a fan of any other team than the Colts.

How would it look any different if I were to pick a shitty team (doesn't matter who), and then decide I don't like them and pick a different team? Should I root for a team I have no interest in just because a bunch of faggots on a wrestling forum think I am a bandwagon jumper because my team is good?

Simply put, I won't. Anyone who complains at this point is just complaining for the sake of picking a fight, or to change the subject from what was being discussed. It's quite transparent really, and some of you will probably give me shit just for typing this whole thing. (which I did while sitting here playing Madden like I would have been regardless of if I had been typing this thread)

Now for questions up for discussion - How did you pick your favorite team(s)? Are they good, or do they suck?

[DaveWadding]

It's the internet dude. You care too much.

PS: tl;dr

[Requiem]

First line says to scroll to the bottom for the discussion points.

In other words, fuck off if you didn't intend to read anything in the first place.

[Triple A]

Can't believe I live in Kentucky and just started watching football and we're already in the Super Bowl.

[HeartBreakMan2k]

49er fan because they were the team I grew up watching in the early 90s, now a Panther fan as well because they're here. So yeah, I like both?

[Juan]

I grew up in the Bay Area, so it was pretty easy to pick a favorite football and baseball team.

[DaveWadding]

First line says to scroll to the bottom for the discussion points.

In other words, fuck off if you didn't intend to read anything in the first place.

I intended to read it and it was just a wall of text that repeats the exact same things you've been crying about all season. Get over it. Live your fucking life, bro.

[The Mask]

cause my pa supported them (manchester fuckin united).

mildly interested how the giants and redskins do in NFL since the giants stadium was probably the first landmark i saw on my plane to new york, and redskins since they were local to where i lived in VA, and i learnt about how NFL actually works while i was there.

[The Franchise]

For hockey I have a couple favorite teams usually based on players I really liked when I was younger playing on that team. Then over time you just grow to like these teams. My #1 fav hockey team is just my hometown's NHL team which I guess is most peoples default favorite team. I was a big fan of one of the players on mine because his style of playing was really close to mine. For the NBA I started following the Phoenix Suns because Steve Nash is on them and I'm a Canadian supremacist. MLB, NFL and other sports I'm probably just a bandwagoner or choose what team to cheer for based on their jersey colors.

[Jeritron]

I only like my local teams so I can buy merchandise and go to games, but with the advent of the internet you bring up some challenging questions


Honestly are you fucking kidding me?

[Supreme Olajuwon]

You might not have specifically said "I'm going to pick the best team," but subconsciously that's what you did. You liked the players because they were winning. You liked to way the team played because they were winning.

It's not like it's just you that does this. Anyone who doesn't have some personal connection that makes them like a team is going to pick one of the best teams. It's common sense. But that still puts you into the category of bandwagon jumper. However, if you actually do develop that connection to the team and stay a fan when things go bad then you're a true fan.

It's not a personal attack, it's a natural progression.

[Triple Naitch]

cause my pa supported them (red sox, giants).

Also became a Laker fan because Shaquille O'Neal was my idol growing up. :-\

[Requiem]

Are YOU fucking kidding me Jeritron? Maybe you should read where I said someone ELSE made that point. It was Assman, actually, that made the point.

And that is the WHOLE point of this thread Jeritron.

If I don't agree with those reasons for picking a team, why should I use them to base my decision on?

[Jeritron]

The question I ask is, didn't you like football when you were younger, or do you have any relatives who like football?
This would solve the problem.

Or did this big decision come up in life a couple years ago?

[Jeritron]

I'm not as familiar with this as you think Requiem. Just heard about it. I honestly want to hear more.

I think it's hilarious how overthought it is. I'm so curious about why a decision had to be made in the first place.

[OssMan]

I root for the football and baseball teams my dad raised me to root for. I root for my local hockey and basketball teams.

[Jeritron]

"faggots on a wrestling forum"

[Juan]

I'm failing to understand why you made this thread if you don't care what a bunch of faggots on a wrestling forum think.

[Team Sheep]

Bloody hell you're still going on about this. It's your first season watching NFL and your team's in the Super Bowl. You haven't experienced your team properly lose a game yet. You're always going to be called a band wagon jumper, get over it. Making a huge ass thread defending yourself isn't helping yourself.

[OssMan]

How would it look any different if I were to pick a shitty team (doesn't matter who), and then decide I don't like them and pick a different team? Should I root for a team I have no interest in just because a bunch of faggots on a wrestling forum think I am a bandwagon jumper because my team is good?


Yeah the thing is you analyzed all the NFL teams and then picked the best one because they "best fit your taste" or something. Yeah no shit, they have probably the best quarterback of all time and make the playoffs every year and just won a superbowl. You are a prime example of the bandwagon fan. No one is saying that you only root for the best teams and that you would abandon the Colts when they suck, but you went out and picked the best team in the NFL and now are trying to act like you are a die hard fan.

[Jeritron]

To answer your question I didn't pick my teams. I was born and raised in the Boston area and I've always liked them.
As I got older, I felt stronger about this and more independently, although that's obviously a result of my upbringing.

That's what I don't get. The "picking" and the "decision". If you had no interest in football, nor did your family when you were younger, why did you suddenly feel the need to go out and recruit a favorite team?
Was it so you could participate in sports discussion and rivalry? Or did you just want to watch a team with the hope of them winning so it could be a victory of sorts?
If so, seems convenient to pick one of the best teams of the decade.
Like Supreme says, it's not that it doesn't make sense. It's that it's obvious why it was done.

Your point about fanbases growing is broken. Fanbases are BASED in the area where they are the local team. That's the base. Those people are the fans, and there are exceptions who are from that area and move out.
The "growth" you speak of is bandwagon jumping. Plain and simple.
I'm a Patriots fan. Always have been.
If some kid from California decides one Tuesday to be a Patriots fan, that isn't "growth" of the fanbase or some natural thing in football. It's bandwagon jumping. It happens. It makes money. It's a part of football but that's what it is.

Where are you getting this notion that fanbases are supposed to grow and reproduce? They're supposed to make money, yes. But outside of the local support being rallied, I don't know where this athletic evangelist idea comes from.

[Jeritron]

It was an honor winning 3 superbowls in your face, anyhow. Best of luck next Sunday!

[Jeritron]

Did Madden games have anything to do with your choice?

[Requiem]

You might not have specifically said "I'm going to pick the best team," but subconsciously that's what you did. You liked the players because they were winning. You liked to way the team played because they were winning.

It's not like it's just you that does this. Anyone who doesn't have some personal connection that makes them like a team is going to pick one of the best teams. It's common sense. But that still puts you into the category of bandwagon jumper. However, if you actually do develop that connection to the team and stay a fan when things go bad then you're a true fan.

It's not a personal attack, it's a natural progression.

I guess I can give you that first bit.. However, that's the first time you've put it in a way that wasn't a personal attack. Even so, your post makes a lot of sense and I see where you are coming from. What I don't like, is how people discard something I say that is perfectly valid, and call me a bandwagon jumper and completely derail the discussion.

But, I had already said, BEFORE they even made it to the Super Bowl, that I would always be a Colts fan. It's the way they play, not the outcome, that made me a fan of them. If they do horrible next year, and even if they lose the Super Bowl this year.. I am not going to start talking about how awesome 'X' team that made the playoffs is, and how I think they are the best team ever and are going to absolutely destroy 'Y' team.

The only thing that could make me not a fan of them, is if they started acting differently all-together. If they weren't humble about their wins, or if they talked trash between games.. The fact that they DON'T bite on goading whenever other teams talk themselves up big, is a major reason I like them.



To the rest of you - Isn't watching football supposed to be FUN? I will admit that the reasons a lot of them act the way they do, is probably because of the fact that they are talented. To me, it was FUN to watch the Colts play all year. Their ability to comeback from deficits when it matters... just watching Peyton Manning throw the ball, and watching some of the fantastic performances by their rookie players this season, was FUN to me. Even just seeing how calm Caldwell was on the sidelines all the time made me appreciate them even more. That is why I started watching football, and why I like watching the Colts. My first NFL purchase is going to be a Garcon jersey when I have the money.

[Jeritron]

This is great

[HeartBreakMan2k]

Req stop worrying about what people think. Hell, when I started watching, the Bulls and the 49ers were the best teams going. I was like.. 6. Since they were the best thing going, they were the teams I had most exposure to so I became a fan. So I was a "bandwagon" jumper then, I've followed them ever since though so no one would ever say that I'm a bandwagon fan. I support the Panthers cause they're here and I love them, but the love is still there for the 49ers too.

Just like who you like and say fuck it.

[Triple Naitch]

Not liking a team anymore due to the players not playing with respect is pretty much band wagon jumping. You root for the name "on the front of the jersey" no matter what. You know how many times Papelbon, Schilling, and Larry Lucchino said stuff that made me sick to my stomach?

[Ogen]

Mostly because Paul McGrath put 11 Italians in his back pocket one sunny day in Giants Stadium, New York 1994.

[RoXer]

Baseball: Grew up in the Bay Area in the 90's but hated all local teams. I loved the Mariners because of Griffey/ARod/Buhner/RJ/Edgar/etcetcetc. I hated the A's when I was there. Then that whole Mariners core blew up and so I wasn't interested anymore. Then I moved out here and missed the A's so I started rooting for them. And the D-Backs had RJ so I didn't mind rooting for them either. So I guess tha'ts how my love for them grew.

Football: Grandfather rooted for Dallas, Mom roots for Dallas, and growing up that's who I rooted for. Moved out here and it was "lol Cards" mostly. I think 02 or 03 was when I started rooting for them. Like around the last year of McGinnis. And I remeber vividly the Nate Poole catch and not watching it because the game was blacked out so we watched the Green Bay game where they were chanting "Let's Go Cardinals". And then Making of Alphabean. And then telling everyone here the would win the West and it finally happened.

Basketball: Grew up in the Jordan era so DUHHH loved the Bulls and only them. I guess I liked the Raptors too during their first year. Loved the Peja/Bibby/Webber Kings. But now it's all Suns. And some love for the Warriors.

Hockey: who cares. I might go to a Coyotes game every now and then but I'm not really invested in anyone.


People will call you a bandwagoner for a very long time until you experience the lows of your team. Brush it off. Get over it. IMO, you're not a bandwagoner unless you jump ship when they're terrible.

[Jeritron]

lol Schilling says shit that makes me sick all the time. It would make you sicker if you lived here. He's involved in local politics and stuff.

Papelbon is a steakhead. Don't like him at all.

[Jeritron]

I will always remember my first "choice"

[Triple Naitch]

Part of me wants to see them trade Papelbon right now, but I know that Bard isn't totally ready to close.

[McLegend]

Not liking a team anymore due to the players not playing with respect is pretty much band wagon jumping. You root for the name "on the front of the jersey" no matter what. You know how many times Papelbon, Schilling, and Larry Lucchino said stuff that made me sick to my stomach?

Just to be sure are you a Red Sox fan to?

[Jeritron]

Req, when you say you were a fan of them before they made the superbowl. Do you mean this year? or pre-2006?

[Triple Naitch]

Yes, I explained my reasons above.

[Requiem]

The question I ask is, didn't you like football when you were younger, or do you have any relatives who like football?
This would solve the problem.

Or did this big decision come up in life a couple years ago?

I did not like any sports when I was younger. I grew up on NASCAR (which is IMO, a sport), because my dad was a big fan. He raced sports cars in California for a while when he was younger, and his brother has season tickets to a couple tracks out there.

I am not an athletic person, so I never played sports and my family never cared for sports. No baseball, football, etc.. In fact, I still can not stand to watch baseball. I can tolerate hockey or soccer, but have no interest in them. Baseball however, I think is boring as shit.

"faggots on a wrestling forum"

Was not generalizing an entire forum as faggots. Was just pointing out THE faggots on a wrestling forum.


That's what I don't get. The "picking" and the "decision". If you had no interest in football, nor did your family when you were younger, why did you suddenly feel the need to go out and recruit a favorite team?
Was it so you could participate in sports discussion and rivalry? Or did you just want to watch a team with the hope of them winning so it could be a victory of sorts?


DS and I wanted a team to root for. We wanted to take part in the rivalry and discussion, and watch games every week and cheer for one team. MOST of my friends who watch football are Chiefs fans, with the exception of one Steelers fan. However, none of them really get together and watch football or anything.. some of them are REALLY into sports, and others just watch it from time to time and are 'fans' of their team. We wanted a team to root for TOGETHER. It honestly came down to a few teams. The Colts happened to be the one we both agreed on.

Since the pre-season began, DS and I have watched football every week. He was given a Donald Brown jersey for Christmas, and The NFL Redzone channel has been pretty much amazing for us. Let's us watch parts of ALL the games, which is pretty awesome.

Did Madden games have anything to do with your choice?

I had never owned a Madden game before I got my 360 a couple months ago, so no.

[RoXer]

Sounds like you and DS should decide which rings to wear for the rest of your lives too.

[Jeritron]

Who were the other finalists in the hunt for a team?

[OssMan]

I guess I can give you that first bit.. However, that's the first time you've put it in a way that wasn't a personal attack. Even so, your post makes a lot of sense and I see where you are coming from. What I don't like, is how people discard something I say that is perfectly valid, and call me a bandwagon jumper and completely derail the discussion.

But, I had already said, BEFORE they even made it to the Super Bowl, that I would always be a Colts fan. It's the way they play, not the outcome, that made me a fan of them. If they do horrible next year, and even if they lose the Super Bowl this year.. I am not going to start talking about how awesome 'X' team that made the playoffs is, and how I think they are the best team ever and are going to absolutely destroy 'Y' team.

The only thing that could make me not a fan of them, is if they started acting differently all-together. If they weren't humble about their wins, or if they talked trash between games.. The fact that they DON'T bite on goading whenever other teams talk themselves up big, is a major reason I like them.



To the rest of you - Isn't watching football supposed to be FUN? I will admit that the reasons a lot of them act the way they do, is probably because of the fact that they are talented. To me, it was FUN to watch the Colts play all year. Their ability to comeback from deficits when it matters... just watching Peyton Manning throw the ball, and watching some of the fantastic performances by their rookie players this season, was FUN to me. Even just seeing how calm Caldwell was on the sidelines all the time made me appreciate them even more. That is why I started watching football, and why I like watching the Colts. My first NFL purchase is going to be a Garcon jersey when I have the money.
Yes watching football is supposed to be fun. That's why you can watch more than one game. I like watching the Colts, but just because they are awesome doesn't mean I am going to go and make them my favorite team. My team has sucked dicked for most of my life up until the last couple of years, and when that happens, it is more fun to watch other teams. I would never change teams though.

[OssMan]

Mostly because Paul McGrath put 11 Italians in his back pocket one sunny day in Giants Stadium, New York 1994.
new jersey

[RoXer]

That how it starts you know.

First football teams. Then you're looking at apartments together. Dexiding on whether to adopt a dog or cat. So you settle for a Korean boy. And then one from Africa. And then you grow old and go to broadway shows in adult life while your two kids care of you. And then you die.

Plenty of anal sex in between those moments though, don't worry.

[Requiem]

Req, when you say you were a fan of them before they made the superbowl. Do you mean this year? or pre-2006?

Before the 2009 pre-season began, but after the 2008 season Super Bowl was over.

I understood that they have won a Super Bowl in recent years, but I had never watched them play other than just video clips online. (with exception of one game I watched in 2007 where the Patriots beat them). I did not even watch the Super Bowl that they won.

You'd have to be an idiot not to have at least heard of Peyton Manning though. So yes, I did know who he was and I knew that he was talented and that they had won a Super Bowl. I also knew that Manning had been around for a while, and had only won the one Super Bowl, so I had no reason to think that they would make it to the Super Bowl so soon after. I certainly hoped they would.

[Jeritron]

So you didn't even watch football before this year? But now you're all excited about The Colts?

This has to be a big practical joke on all of us. No way something this absurdly tremendous is real.

I kinda picture you and "DS" as the kids from Weird Science. You one day decide that you want to be part of the action, but you don't now what to do. So you cook up some overthought plan to select a favorite team, and now you're "diehards" high-fiving on Sundays

Did you learn the rules to football before or after picking a team that you love with all your heart?

[OssMan]

I've never followed soccer, Jeritron will you follow with me and can a European poster please post an analysis of every football club (make sure to note best and worst qualities)

[Jeritron]

I would be glad to co-select a favorite team so we can be part of the rivalries and discussion.

I'd have to be an idiot to never have heard of David Beckham. Who does he play for? Maybe we can root for them

[Triple Naitch]

Who is DS? You watch football with your portable Nintendo system?

[RoXer]

Wow, what is you guy's problem? As long as he sticks with this team then who gives a fuck.

[Jeritron]

Is it empowering to call people faggots and talk about playing madden? Is it part of your new football fan gig?
Do you seek to be an e-jock douchebag to make up for your self-admitted lack of interest and talent in sports over the years?

[Emperor Smeat]

Not counting soccer since that was more of following the leagues and teams my father rooted for, usually I end up liking a sport or certain teams but wouldn't be a "fan" of a specific team until maybe a few years later once I got more interested in the sport. Most of the time, it ends up me supporting the local teams since they represent my area unlike other teams.

Boston Bruins is probably the team I've been a fan of the longest due to watching a lot of NHL as a kid and they were the team that showed up the most on tv.

[Requiem]

Who were the other finalists in the hunt for a team?

We pretty much just started knocking out teams on the list.. first, we knocked out Florida teams, because we know some people from Florida and definitely wanted to cheer against their teams. Went through our local teams like the Chiefs and Rams.. remembered how annoying Rams fans were when I was in grade school and they made the Super Bowl.. Then pretty much just started going down the list.. "Nah.. can't stand 'that guy or that guy', or 'their fans'" and whatnot. Like, during the Super Bowl, we were both pretty adamant about the fact that we couldn't stand the Steelers' stupid towel... etc..

Also, blue is my favorite color and I use it for pretty much anything I am given a choice to use it on in applicable situations. That actually did not play a part in the decision, but it fits well after the fact.

The finalists ended up being the Cowboys, Giants, Colts, and Vikings (before Favre was even in the picture)

DS suggested the Cowboys, and really tried to convince me on them. But, they kinda seemed like 'thugs' to me (idk why really.. I just didn't like them), so I couldn't agree on them. He also suggested the Colts.. I picked the Giants and Vikings. Ended up talking about it, and came to the conclusion that the Colts were perfect for us.

[Jeritron]

Renee Rancourt ftw

[Jeritron]

wow you wanted to be a Cowboys fan. You should have been that would have been tremendous. Great fit

[FakeLaser]

Baseball: Born a Yankee fan.

Football: Born a Giants fan.

Basketball: Grew up a front-running Chicago Bulls fan and then stopped watching basketball entirely. Don't really have a team now but have been calling myself an LA Clippers fan just because they're the worst franchise of all time.

Hockey: NY Rangers - always been a Ranger fan but I don't give a fuck about hockey.

College Football: Boise State - Been a Boise fan for like 5 years now. Just picked them at random and because of the blue field. Don't care about college football that much.

College Basketball: Seton Hall - because I went to school there. Also like North Carolina, always was a Carolina fan growing up probably because of Michael Jordan.

[Requiem]

So you didn't even watch football before this year? But now you're all excited about The Colts?

This has to be a big practical joke on all of us. No way something this absurdly tremendous is real.

I kinda picture you and "DS" as the kids from Weird Science. You one day decide that you want to be part of the action, but you don't now what to do. So you cook up some overthought plan to select a favorite team, and now you're "diehards" high-fiving on Sundays

Did you learn the rules to football before or after picking a team that you love with all your heart?

I was PUMPED about watching the Colts even before the pre-season began, so I don't know what you're getting at. Like, before I ever watched them play a game, I was getting into the spirit and was pretty excited to get to watch them for real.. Why would you not be excited to watch your team play?

And to everyone - DS is a former poster here, who introduced el fregadero and myself to this forum. He virtually never posted in the casual forum though, which is why some of you lot have probably never heard of him.

And yes, I already knew the rules of football (for the most part). I still ask things about it, and I am still learning about some rules.. but I am not a "Fallen Angel" on the situation or anything.

I don't watch, or even like, baseball.. but I understand how the game is played. Same with soccer, or golf.. I know how they work.

[FakeLaser]

Baseball is the best sport ever, BY THE WAY

[Jeritron]

I hate college football and one of the big reasons I don't like it is because I would have to "choose" a team.
As I've displayed, I think that's absurd and I just don't care
I also hate the culture. Dunno, prob because I'm not from the south

If I had to pick one it would be BC due to local allegiance, but I kind of enjoying hearing about when they lose (all the time)

Love College Baseball but I don't have a favorite team. Just enjoy watching it

[Jeritron]

Baseball is by far, like miles, the greatest sport of alltime. It's amazing. I could go on for hours about why I love it and why it's great

Fuck you for not liking it, and anyone else who doesn't

[Jeritron]

unique and diverse ballparks. history. a mix of individual and team sports. ONE ON ONE PITCHER/HITTER SHOWDOWNS. DEFENSE. BASERUNNING. PITCHER/BASERUNNER STANDOFFS
FENWAY FRANKS, HOME RUN DERBYS, BAHGAWWDDD WHAT A BASEBALL GAME

[Requiem]

Yes watching football is supposed to be fun. That's why you can watch more than one game. I like watching the Colts, but just because they are awesome doesn't mean I am going to go and make them my favorite team. My team has sucked dicked for most of my life up until the last couple of years, and when that happens, it is more fun to watch other teams. I would never change teams though.

As I said, NFL Redzone channel has been pretty amazing for us this year. We do watch more than one game. Every touchdown from every game, and they switch between several games when there is no scoring happening.

[Jeritron]

yo watching the scoring isn't watching the game. Theres more to it than that. Just for future reference. I know you're new to this

[Requiem]

Is it empowering to call people faggots and talk about playing madden? Is it part of your new football fan gig?
Do you seek to be an e-jock douchebag to make up for your self-admitted lack of interest and talent in sports over the years?

What? I don't even know what you're getting at here, or what Madden has to do with anything being discussed... at all. Pretty much all 'shit talking' I have done has been to people who talked shit themselves.

[Droford]

Orioles, Capitals are local teams. Was a Redskins fan up until 1996 when the Ravens came to Baltimore. I tried to be a fan of both but ended up quitting the Redskins after the Ravens won the Super Bowl.

[Requiem]

As I said, NFL Redzone channel has been pretty amazing for us this year. We do watch more than one game. Every touchdown from every game, and they switch between several games when there is no scoring happening.

yo watching the scoring isn't watching the game. Theres more to it than that. Just for future reference. I know you're new to this

It was great when you wanted to discuss something, but now you're just being a 'faggot'.

[RoXer]

What? I don't even know what you're getting at here, or what Madden has to do with anything being discussed... at all. Pretty much all 'shit talking' I have done has been to people who talked shit themselves.

That's what I was going to say. I don't rember Req "starting shit". Or even starting a topic about the greatness of the Colts. Unlike someone we may know.

[Jeritron]

At least now I know not to take a word you say with any shred of credibility now. I can't believe you were jawing on and on about the worth of a superbowl and an undefeated season.

I'm also glad your team search did not lead you to The Pats

[Jeritron]

It was great when you wanted to discuss something, but now you're just being a 'faggot'.

You said thanks to Redzone you do watch other games. No you don't. You watch touchdowns.
That isn't watching a game.
Again, I know you're new to this. You can call me a faggot all you like but you're becoming more and more of a clown with each post

[Requiem]

Then you are exactly the type of 'faggot' that this thread was intended for.

[Requiem]

You said thanks to Redzone you do watch other games. No you don't. You watch touchdowns.
That isn't watching a game.
Again, I know you're new to this. You can call me a faggot all you like but you're becoming more and more of a clown with each post

Hey look ma, there's bolded text in that thar post

[Jeritron]

Yea, switching to games when there is no scoring happening means you're seeing parts of other games. You're not seeing any real games. I don't know what the fuck you're getting at here buddy.
I know what RedZone is. It's not full games, and don't try to act like you didn't suggest it counted as such

[OssMan]

I wish I could choose Endicott College my alma mater for my college football team. But we don't have one I don't think. :shifty: I don't have a college football team, just a bunch of teams I hate. Kinda stupid, don't follow it much.

[Requiem]

Is that the only channel football is on? And did I say that was the ONLY channel I watched? No, you nit-picking fuck. Now you're just being a prick for the sake of it.

You apparently don't know that much about RedZone, or you're relying on the 'troll' portion of your brain a bit too much. Also, RZ does not show games that are the ONLY game on at the time - IE, monday night football, or games that were scheduled on off days. For those, ESPN or an antenna did the trick.

[Jeritron]

Who is our soccer team gonna be?

[OssMan]

People think Caps fans are bandwagoners because they are good for once and because they have Ovechkin. I agree for the ones who don't live anywhere close to DC but I don't think you can really be called a bandwagoner if you root for a local team, regardless of how long you have rooted for them.

[OssMan]

Who is our soccer team gonna be?
Manchester and Crystal Palace FC seem to be the front runners so far. DC United is only 20 minutes from me but I've never really been into them so I think we should rule them out.

[Jeritron]

Is that the only channel football is on? And did I say that was the ONLY channel I watched? No, you nit-picking fuck. Now you're just being a prick for the sake of it.

You apparently don't know that much about RedZone, or you're relying on the 'troll' portion of your brain a bit too much. Also, RZ does not show games that are the ONLY game on at the time - IE, monday night football, or games that were scheduled on off days. For those, ESPN or an antenna did the trick.

You failed to mention any of that. You said RedZone provided you with the ability to watch other games.
It doesn't do that. What is this? The "I know more about RedZone than you" portion of this shit.
RedZone is brand new to football this year, just like you. It's for watching touchdowns and betting. It shows portions from other games when theres not a touchdown going on, but thats not often and is NEVER a full game.

Full games can be found on the other channels, and if you had any interest in them to begin with you wouldn't have had to pick a favorite team to get into football.

[McLegend]

I just would like to point out the RedZone channel is pretty awesome.

[Jeritron]

That last part of your post has no relevance to anything. It's just you spouting some stupid detail about RedZone.

In fact, all it does is further prove that you cannot watch a full game on RedZone. Only clips

[Requiem]

Never said "I know more about RedZone". You were the one who tried to say "I know what it is", but then turned around and made a dickish remark about it.

And I never said it lets you watch a full game. But it DOES stay on games when there is nothing happening, and when there are only a couple games left (or one game), it STAYS on games for very long periods of time.

How is that not superior to watching only ONE game, with teams you may or may not care about?

I DO watch full games on TV when that is what is on, or if that is a game I want to see. If monday night football is on, I will watch it. If there is a particular game I want to see, I will watch it. If a Colts game is showing, or a team I have an 'interest' in, to beat another team, I will watch it.

Stop being a nit-picker.

[Team Sheep]

In order of my favourite sports:

NFL: My first US holiday was in the Summer of 2005 to NYC. My hotel was right by the Jets offices in Manhattan with a big flag outside of it and thought that was pretty cool so I had a soft spot for them. I watched Super Bowl 39 that year so took a slight interest in the NFL. Started watching NFL after that summer and fell in love with it. Watched the Jets and liked what they were about so that's how it happened.

Rugby: Newport Gwent Dragons. My local team.

Football/Soccer: Newcastle United. Got into the sport in 2002 after the World Cup and followed the 2002/2003 season for the first time ever. Loved how Newcastle played and they had Welsh boys Craig Bellamy and Gary Speed playing at the time. Had a soft spot for them all season and then their character in the Champions League journey sealed it for me. Bellamy scoring the winner against Feyenoord in injury time to win 3-2 and go through to the 2nd group stage, amazing :D Sure you could say this is a bit of an example of bandwagon jumping, but to be fair I was an 11 year old just getting into football and they've been shit ever since that season and I've stuck by them.

Baseball: I try and follow baseball the best I can but it's difficult when the coverage is shit. I don't do enough to be a fan but the Mets are my favourite team because I went to a game at Shea Stadium during the aforementioned NYC trip and it was awesome. I follow the scores and such. Always sit and watch games through the Summer when they're on, they're just very sporadic and inconsistent and they never air whole series of games (apart from Sox/Yanks sometimes).

[Jeritron]

I will nit-pick you because you are a nit-wit

[Requiem]

Jeritron was one of the last people I would have expected to come in here and talk shit. Supreme managed to leave this thread with me having a higher opinion of him than before. You on the other hand, have managed to pull a complete 180 and while I generally liked you before, and was even HAPPY to discuss the topic of this thread, have made me lose all respect for you because of this conversation.

[OssMan]

If you are a true fan you would be in the team's jurisdiction, or if that isn't possible you would have NFL sunday ticket, or if that isn't possible you would go to some restaurant that has it, or if that isn't possible you would watch the game on some shitty internet stream, or if that isn't possible then you would follow the game on that online gameday thing and have that Redzone thing on. No excuses here

[Jeritron]

That's fine. This whole thing is so absurd to me, that I couldn't care less what you think. My opinion of you based on this whole team selection process would just be that you're silly as a football fan, but when you spazzed out and called people faggots, it just came across as a bitter kid who thinks hes a tough guy on the internet.

[Requiem]

And for the record, I am leaving now to go to a bar with a friend so that I can go watch the Pro-Bowl game in which my favorite NFL team's players will not be playing in because they are going to the Super Bowl where Jeritron's team is not.

To those of you who provided discussion without turning to childish methods to get a 'reaction', I applaud you. Especially Supreme, who showed that he could be the better man in a dispute such as this by not being a prick.

[OssMan]

And for the record, I am leaving now to go to a bar with a friend so that I can go watch the Pro-Bowl game in which my favorite NFL team's players will not be playing in because they are going to the Super Bowl where Jeritron's team is not.

this sentence

[Requiem]

If you are a true fan you would be in the team's jurisdiction, or if that isn't possible you would have NFL sunday ticket, or if that isn't possible you would go to some restaurant that has it, or if that isn't possible you would watch the game on some shitty internet stream, or if that isn't possible then you would follow the game on that online gameday thing and have that Redzone thing on. No excuses here

already said multiple times now that i do not only watch football on redzone

god you people are dense

[Requiem]

this sentence

was on purpose

[Jeritron]

I'm jealous of both the fact that you're going to a bar, and that "your" team is in the Superbowl. The one you just starting rooting for this year. You're such a cool dude Requiem.

I watched the Patriots win 3 superbowls before you ever saw a snap.

In any event, I could care less about the pro-bowl. I think the majority of real football fans do. Write that down in your notebook.

Also, I think you should discuss this all with DS before you lose all respect for me. It's a big decision to make on your own after all

[OssMan]

I WILL NOW DEPART THE POSTING WEBSITE TPWW TO LEAVE FOR A DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT WITH A COMRADE WHO WILL ACCOMPANY MYSELF, WHERE WE WILL PARTAKE IN ACTIVITIES SUCH AS WATCHING A FRIENDLY MATCH OF ACCOMPLISHED FOOTBALL PLAYERS PIT AGAINST EACH OTHER, EXCEPT THE MEMBERS OF MY FAVORITE CLUB WILL NOT BE PARTICIPATING IN THIS MATCH BECAUSE THEY HAVE REACHED THE PINNACLE MOMENT OF THEIR SPORT WHICH YOUR FAVORITE CLUB HAS NOT REACHED

[Jeritron]

I'm so glad I chose a favorite football team this year so I can go to a bar and watch the pro bowl. HEYYYYY, YOU'RE PART OF IT!

[Jeritron]

Hey guys can you believe how awesome the pro bowl is? Man, football is great. I saw all The Colts touchdowns this year.

Fuck I wish I knew something about their defense

[Jeritron]

Gonna hold this thread down with all the faggots of TPWW while you're at the bar Req. Drink up!

[Supreme Olajuwon]

I think where the contention comes from is you just started watching football and having a team allegiance, but you're spouting off stats and historical significance like you're a lifelong fan. And whether it's your intention or not, that's gonna come off as some bandwagoner who just went to wikipedia to try and sound like he knows what he's talking about.

[Jeritron]

Jeritron's team is not in the superbowl, so he wins

[The Mask]

i dont know which teams assmang actually supports

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I just adopted all the teams my dad roots for (Mets, Giants, Knicks, Islanders)</font>

[D Mac]

Req, we need to go see a Chiefs game at Arrowhead sometime. When they get better of course. With the great Chiefs fans and the atmosphere at one of the loudest stadiums in the NFL, I bet you will change your tune.

[D Mac]

Or at least like them a little more anyway.

[Droford]

People think Caps fans are bandwagoners because they are good for once and because they have Ovechkin. I agree for the ones who don't live anywhere close to DC but I don't think you can really be called a bandwagoner if you root for a local team, regardless of how long you have rooted for them.

I went to a game way back when the played at the Capital Center in Landover MD. Think it was 91 or 92. Petr Bondra, Pivonka, Hatcher, Al Iafrate and his really fast slaphot..Team was pretty good back then.

I still hate the Penguins for beating the shit out of them in the playoffs back in the 90s on a regular basis. I think there was a 4 OT playoff game in 96 that I stayed up to watch and ended up not waking up for school the next day. And I remember them getting destroyed in the finals by the Red Wings..

[Mike the Metal Ed]

I was born in Leicestershire and my dad is a Leicester City fan, therefore I support Leicester City.

In hockey, I wanted to follow a Canadian team and for whatever reason I started using the Senators in NHL games, so they became my team.

[BCWWF]

The American teams I support are my hometown teams. The only real reasons why somebody doesn't support their hometown teams are:

1. They have been grandfathered into another team through their parents or something similar

2. They like to be "elitist", and don't like the local team because everybody else does.

There are some secondary reasons, too:

A. They don't live in an area that automatically associates with a pro team (ie rural cities)

B. They have moved a lot, and don't affiliate themselves with any city.

----
I would like to say that most people fit into mold No. 2. Requiem is probably 2 (40 percent), A (40 percent), and B. (20 percent).

[El Fangel]

My dad has been a Montreal fan for as long as I can remember and my gavorite player whom I followed (not a team) retired.

So I went with Montreal when Hasek retired.

[SammyG]

The 65 yard line

[El Fangel]

lol, any new porn of your ex Sammy?

[SammyG]

BUT to answer the question, dad used to live in LA, passed down the love of LA teams to me. Lakers, Rams, Dodgers.

[The Mackem]

Born with it

[FearedSanctity]

We pretty much just started knocking out teams on the list.. first, we knocked out Florida teams, because we know some people from Florida and definitely wanted to cheer against their teams. Went through our local teams like the Chiefs and Rams.. remembered how annoying Rams fans were when I was in grade school and they made the Super Bowl.. Then pretty much just started going down the list.. "Nah.. can't stand 'that guy or that guy', or 'their fans'" and whatnot. Like, during the Super Bowl, we were both pretty adamant about the fact that we couldn't stand the Steelers' stupid towel... etc..

Also, blue is my favorite color and I use it for pretty much anything I am given a choice to use it on in applicable situations. That actually did not play a part in the decision, but it fits well after the fact.

The finalists ended up being the Cowboys, Giants, Colts, and Vikings (before Favre was even in the picture)

DS suggested the Cowboys, and really tried to convince me on them. But, they kinda seemed like 'thugs' to me (idk why really.. I just didn't like them), so I couldn't agree on them. He also suggested the Colts.. I picked the Giants and Vikings. Ended up talking about it, and came to the conclusion that the Colts were perfect for us.

If you'd picked Denver like me and someone else told you you wouldn't be going through this. We could all be wallowing together :'(

Also curious why Denver didn't make the cut for you. Got the blue, overall likable team and tolerable fans, SO WHAT GIVES MAN?

[Brujesino]

i was born in oakland so raiders,warriors and A's are my teams i also lived in the san jose so i like th sharks even though iam not too big a of a fan of hockey

[El Fangel]

Fuck, all Requeim had to do was show me a Bob Sanders compilation on Youtube and that got me to root for the Colts. Not saying I am a diehard fan, not even going to say I root for them, I watched one game of football they played this season and that was their first loss. Normally not home on sunday evenings, so I never get to watch anyways :(

Pretty happy they made the Superbowl, would like to see them win :)

[Sixx]

Local.

Don't your friends from the 'hood hate you for rooting for another team?

[FearedSanctity]

Also, for myself, for the most part I adopted all the local teams of where I lived at the time, Colorado. No one in my family is really big on sports, other than my mom who's a Pats/Red Sox die hard but doesn't really know much other than those teams.

When my interest in sports picked up by playing football at school I started watching and recording the games on TV, which of course were always Bronco games. I loved watching Elway, Davis, Atwater and Romanowski. Now, like you when I started watching was during the '97-'98 season, Denver's first Super Bowl win. But as a 9 year old kid who had to teach them self EVERYTHING I didn't really comprehend stats or win/loss records at the time and knew nothing of the history of the game. Hell, to me Super Bowl XXXII was just another game. Until the next year anyway, when I understood waaaaaay more.

Rockies fan by association of going to a Sky Sox game on a field trip in 5th grade. Had a friend and teacher attempt to explain minor leagues to me, for the most part failed but that's how I learned about the Rockies.

Avalanche, when they were on, I watched. Never really got into hockey, football consumed me. But when the season starts I'll pay attention to the Avs scores.

Nuggets, didn't really give a damn about basketball until I moved to Texas. Spurs fans annoyed THE FUCK out of me, so I had to pick a team to counter them. Went the old local way and picked the Nuggets, but they were pretty terribad at the time and could never get a game down here back then.

[DaveBrawl]

NFL: Was a big Redskins fan as a kid, but after they won the Super Bowl, Joe Gibbs retired, Mark Rypien was cut (my favorite player at the time) and everyone around me becoming a bandwagon fan saying they were the greatest team ever I decided I wanted a new team to root for that no one around me rooted for so I just picked the Broncos at the time because of Elway, the cool orange jerseys and I really liked everything I saw about Colorado in books and on tv. Still have a spot in my heart for the Skins though, Rams too since they're my dad's team.

NHL: Was a Gretzky fan so I followed him up until he went to St. Louis and his play started to fall off and I stopped seeing many highlights (Va. at the time wasn't big on hockey) so when I heard a team was moving to Denver, I just rolled with it because I wanted all of my teams in the same area and I had no sporting attachment to DC at the time.

NBA: Not really a big fan, but I was a Jordan fan and when he retired I just went with the Nuggets because they were in Denver like the rest but after they started picking up Camby and Martin a few years ago I stopped paying attention to them. Started watching ESPN Classic one day and seeing all of the classic Celtic footage (I've always had a thing for the history of sports) I decided I would start to follow the current team. Of course at that time they were like a 20+ win team and a couple years later fell to a 14 win team and at their current rate they will be back there soon. :lol:

MLB: Like the last two I just followed a couple players (Canseco and Nolan Ryan) so when Canseco fell off and Ryan retired and an expansion team moved to Denver in 93 I just went with it since the closest team at the time was in Baltimore and that's a couple hours away so I never got into them. In the last couple of years I have developed a soft spot for the Nats too though.

[DaveWadding]

MLB: Way back when I was little and bored as hell during the summer, I would be up "early" and watching morning TV (aka the period when Nick and Disney Channel are playing shows for preschoolers) and I came upon baseball. (This was '92-ish mind you) It was just a perfect thing; I was getting into sports heavily at the time, the Cubs were on a national station and they played a great number of afternoon games. So there was that.

When they announced that Phoenix would be getting an MLB franchise in '95, I went out and bought the first D'Backs hat I could find. So I root for both equally.

NBA: The Suns. The NBA is probably my first love out of all the sports, and there's nothing that can replace the Suns for me.

NFL: Well the Cards are the local team and have traditionally sucked...I got sick of getting my hopes up and just getting let down in the end, so I picked whatever team was winning and kept moving around...but when the Rams got Warner, that year was it really. Now that all the players that I liked from those teams are gone (Warner, Faulk, Pace, Holt, Bruce, Dre Bly etc...) I'm not interested anymore. and from a logistical standpoint, when you like a team who is non-local and sucks, you never see them on TV.

Anyways, I've been trying to work this "My all-time favorite player is on my local team but they suck and I hate them" thing for like 3 seasons. After the playoff run last year and week by week getting more sucked into the team, I made the jump. It's probably bandwagon jumping, but I'm probably stuck with the Cardinals for a while. At least it's fun to mock Leinart relentlessly.

NHL: I'm from the desert, what the fuck is hockey?

[parkmania]

I'll admit it, I'm a homer. If it's not a Pittsburgh team I'm pretty much not interested. Which works out well for me since I hate professional basketball.

It's great to be able to see the area you live in do well (when they do). Plus being able to see the team, either in person or on TV, on at least a semi-regular basis (without having to pay extra for NHL Center Ice, MLB Extra Innings, etc.) is among the reasons.

The only exception for me is that I still enjoy hearing about University of Kenturky basketball. The reason I'm a Wildacat fan is that I sent most of my childhood living in Kentucky - again, the "homer" mentality rears its head.

[Skippord]

home teams generally

except for the nuggets who I am a huge fair weather fan of

[SuperSlim]

For football it's been the Panthers ever since that first year that they went to the Super Bowl. Ever since then they've been my team... so yeah I originally jumped on the Panthers bandwagon but through the ups and downs from every season since then I've been a Panthers fan. Plus Steve Smith is a beast. Before that was the Cowboys cause my step dad was a Cowboys fan so I was a fan of theirs for a good while.

In basketball... it was the Mavs then and now it's the Suns cause Steve Nash is an awesome player. I was a Bulls fan back in the day but Suns all the way. I also like their high up tempo style of play.

In hockey it's always been the Dallas Stars. I dunno why just always been.

Then in baseball it always flipped but for a while it was the D'backs cause Randy Johnson and Schilling was on there. Then the Red Sox cause Schilling went there... and it's still the Red Sox.

In college it was the Hurricanes for the longest just cause I liked their swagger. Then they just started bombing... BUT I've always been an SEC fan. Even though I liked the Canes I always liked the teams from the SEC and I finally left the Canes and picked Auburn. And of course I decided to be their fan the season they did the absolute worst. But I stuck with them and still will.

And that's my fave sports teams.

[Kapoutman]

I support the Canadiens and the Impact (USL-1). Because they're my home teams.

[Requiem]

For football it's been the Panthers ever since that first year that they went to the Super Bowl. Ever since then they've been my team... so yeah I originally jumped on the Panthers bandwagon but through the ups and downs from every season since then I've been a Panthers fan. Plus Steve Smith is a beast. Before that was the Cowboys cause my step dad was a Cowboys fan so I was a fan of theirs for a good while.

In basketball... it was the Mavs then and now it's the Suns cause Steve Nash is an awesome player. I was a Bulls fan back in the day but Suns all the way. I also like their high up tempo style of play.

In hockey it's always been the Dallas Stars. I dunno why just always been.

Then in baseball it always flipped but for a while it was the D'backs cause Randy Johnson and Schilling was on there. Then the Red Sox cause Schilling went there... and it's still the Red Sox.

In college it was the Hurricanes for the longest just cause I liked their swagger. Then they just started bombing... BUT I've always been an SEC fan. Even though I liked the Canes I always liked the teams from the SEC and I finally left the Canes and picked Auburn. And of course I decided to be their fan the season they did the absolute worst. But I stuck with them and still will.

And that's my fave sports teams.

No little league favorites?

[Gertner]

Hockey: Toronto Maple Leafs. It's werid when I think about it, because the first ever game I watched was Detroit vs Edmonton in 1988. They tied 3-3. The second game I watched was Toronto vs New Jersey and Toronto won 5-2. lol I remember this because I wrote it in a journal for school. I guess I picked Toronto because they were the first team that I saw win.

Football: New England Patriots. I was a huge fan of Techmo Super Bowl football and the Pats were the worst team in the league. I got really good at the game so I'd always use New England to make it somewhat challenging and it carried on into real life.

Basketball: Utah Jazz. I can't recall how they became my favourite team. I started watching basketball in around Grade 5. I always liked John Stockton and since I was a short white kid maybe I identitfied with him?

Baseball: Toronto Blue Jays. Basically because they were a Toronto team. Started following baseball right after hockey.

College Football/Basketball: Michigan State: Basically I hated Michigan, so they were the logical choice.

Soccer: Chelsea. Had a good friend who got me into soccer a while back and he was a Chelsea fan.

[Nervous Ferret]

My Dad's family have all been Yankees fans since the '40s really. I had no choice. Same with football, but to a lesser extent. My dad/grandpa were at Superbowl III. <3 the Jets :(

Dunno used to watch Knicks/Rangers games growing up. Became a "fan" on my own I guess because they were local.

[Lara Emily]

The American teams I support are my hometown teams. The only real reasons why somebody doesn't support their hometown teams are:

1. They have been grandfathered into another team through their parents or something similar

2. They like to be "elitist", and don't like the local team because everybody else does.

There are some secondary reasons, too:

A. They don't live in an area that automatically associates with a pro team (ie rural cities)

B. They have moved a lot, and don't affiliate themselves with any city.

----
I would like to say that most people fit into mold No. 2. Requiem is probably 2 (40 percent), A (40 percent), and B. (20 percent).

Other reason would be they became a fan of a team before their hometown got a team and stuck with them after that. Which happened in my case, I became a Pens fans before Ottawa got an NHL team and stuck with the Pens after.

[Crimson]

I live in southern california.

NFL; Dallas Cowboys, I started watching sports back in '92, I wanted to get into watching sports and the Cowboys were on cbs. They were winning the game ..it was in early october, I finished watching it and just decided there and then I would be a 'boys fan. ANDD that same year they won the superbowl:D.

NBA; Seattle Sonics, Yea that same year I started watching basketball and was watching NBA INside stuff. They were showing some sweet Shawn Kemp dunks, and I was like 'hey cool i'll root for that guys team!'
Now since they moved I don't have the same love , I still root for them though but it isn't the same. The Lakers were always a 2nd favorite so now it's basically Lakers then the Thunder:|

MLB; L.A Dodgers, the only local team I always rooted for since the beginning. But I'm not into baseball as I am in football or basketball so I don't really care as much.

[Loose Cannon]

I never really picked a team to cheer for. I was born and raised in NY, so that took care of 3/4 of my pro sports teams. With hockey, I grew up loving Jagr and Lemiuex and have been a Pens fan ever since. I about 8 when I started caring about hockey

[Loose Cannon]

by the way, I will say I do get pretty amped about people not having ties to NY/NJ/Conn being Yankee fans. I can't stand it.

[Rev. Hallowell]

I live in southeast Ohio, where there are no Pro teams

Pittsburgh Steelers: They were the closest team and had the best team colors. I've been a Steelers fan my whole life, to a point that when I get the money, the logo gets tattooed on my arm (after my kids)

Pittsburgh Penguins/Pirates: I figured if I'm gonna cheer one Pittsburgh team, I may as well cheer all the Pro teams in Pittsburgh

Navy Midshipmen: My family has a long history in the United States Navy. I've had ancesters in the Navy as long as the US has had one. My great Uncle worked in the Pentagon. As a result of being from a Navy family, I cheer the Middies. (I would like to add to that history, but I have a lot of work to do, they don't let 265 lb guys be Navy Corpsman no matter how much they want to go to Afghanistan.)

San Antonio Spurs: After Jordan retired I jumped off that bandwagon and went to the team I actually liked. It doesn't hurt that David Robinson played for Navy.

Dale Earnhardt/Dale Earnhardt Jr.: I was poor as a kid, and got hand me down clothes. One shirt I got was a Dale Earnhardt T-Shirt that said "Real Men wear Black and Silver". I got attached to that shirt and the driver it represented. On February 18th, 2001, I sadly had to pick a new driver. It took a while of deciding between Dale's replacement, Kevin Harvick, or Dale's son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. I eventually chose Jr Nation.

Tottanham Hotspurs: Fan exchange with the San Antonio Spurs. If I recall they sell each other's mercahndise, so it seemed logical.

[redoneja]

College football: Florida Gators. My dad is from Florida and has always been a fan, that's how I became a fan. For some strange reason I became a fan of the Oregon Ducks about 3 years ago. I think I just ended up playing them alot in NCAA football one year and that carried over to real life.

NFL: Tampa Bay Buccaneers. No real reason why, probably stems from my interest in Florida football, even though my dad likes the Dolphins. I remember before the beginning of the 2002 season I went out and bought a bunch of Bucs merchandise and decided to follow them closely. The first game that year they lost to the Saints in OT. Was so pissed. They ended up winning the Super Bowl though, that was cool.

Baseball: My grandma has always liked the Braves, so Ive been a Braves fan by default. Was alot easier to follow them when they were on TBS every night.

Don't really care about basketball and hockey. I'll watch the playoffs but don't really root for any one team.

Also, even though I'm an hour from DC, I've never been a fan of DC sports teams. Not really sure why. No one in my family is, so I guess that's a big reason for it. Now that the Nationals are in DC, I'll pull for them occasionally, as long as they aren't playing the Braves.

[OssMan]

I live in southeast Ohio, where there are no Pro teams

Pittsburgh Steelers: They were the closest team and had the best team colors. I've been a Steelers fan my whole life, to a point that when I get the money, the logo gets tattooed on my arm (after my kids)

Pittsburgh Penguins/Pirates: I figured if I'm gonna cheer one Pittsburgh team, I may as well cheer all the Pro teams in Pittsburgh

Navy Midshipmen: My family has a long history in the United States Navy. I've had ancesters in the Navy as long as the US has had one. My great Uncle worked in the Pentagon. As a result of being from a Navy family, I cheer the Middies. (I would like to add to that history, but I have a lot of work to do, they don't let 265 lb guys be Navy Corpsman no matter how much they want to go to Afghanistan.)

San Antonio Spurs: After Jordan retired I jumped off that bandwagon and went to the team I actually liked. It doesn't hurt that David Robinson played for Navy.

Dale Earnhardt/Dale Earnhardt Jr.: I was poor as a kid, and got hand me down clothes. One shirt I got was a Dale Earnhardt T-Shirt that said "Real Men wear Black and Silver". I got attached to that shirt and the driver it represented. On February 18th, 2001, I sadly had to pick a new driver. It took a while of deciding between Dale's replacement, Kevin Harvick, or Dale's son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. I eventually chose Jr Nation.

Tottanham Hotspurs: Fan exchange with the San Antonio Spurs. If I recall they sell each other's mercahndise, so it seemed logical.
Ohio has 2 pro football teams, 2 pro baseball teams, a pro hockey team, a pro basketball team, and a huge university, yet you root for Pittsburgh, where everybody hates Ohio.

[Rev. Hallowell]

Ohio has 2 pro football teams, 2 pro baseball teams, a pro hockey team, a pro basketball team, and a huge university, yet you root for Pittsburgh, where everybody hates Ohio. I hate Ohio. But if you take away state borders, Pittsburgh is the closest city to the part of Ohio where I live, closer than Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincitucky. I'm not Anti-Buckyeye, though. I'll root for them when they aren't playing the Naval Academy.

[OssMan]

You live in Ohio

[Rev. Hallowell]

You live in Ohio

Not by choice. Just can't afford to move two hours east.

[SaskatchewanChamp]

Growing up, my father and his buddies always cheered for the "Great One" while he was wearing the Blue and Orange of the Edmonton Oilers. I guess I just inherited it from them. Also, Edmonton is the city that is the closest to me that has an NHL to so yeah, that helps to.

[Rev. Hallowell]

Other reason would be they became a fan of a team before their hometown got a team and stuck with them after that. Which happened in my case, I became a Pens fans before Ottawa got an NHL team and stuck with the Pens after.

I already told myself that if Pittsburgh gets an NBA team, San Antonio will get dropped to second. If the rumors are true, I could be a Pistons fan before long.

[Jeritron]

I'm really interested in the geographic area where the Red Sox and Yankees fanbases switch.
In Connecticut, there are areas that are split right down the middle. I think that would be an interesting thing to observe.

[Cooler Tom Schuler]

General: Half my family is from Minnesota, half from Wisconsin. However, I grew up under a single mother who doesn't really watch sports.

NFL: When we moved to CA when I was young, they were talking about sports on the news. I asked my mom which football team was from WI, and she informed me that it was the Packers. A couple years later they won the Superbowl and I was happy. My mom is a Vikings fan.

MLB: I don't really remember when I picked up on the Twins. I was pretty young, though. I remember going up to Oakland and being excited to see Chuck Knoblauch play. Mark McGwire hit a homerun in that game, but it wasn't relevant until many years later.

NBA: I tried to get into watching basketball in high school. After first I watched the Bucks for a little while, but got bored. Then I watched the T-Wolves and KG made it interesting, so I followed them for a while. Also almost bought a Szczerbiak jersey at one point. When the team got terrible I stopped watching. Can't get into basketball enough to be any more than a fairweather fan. Still like watching KG, though, so I've been intermittently following the Celtics.

NHL: Haven't gotten into hockey. Went to a Kings game once, had great seats and had an awesome time. I don't have enough of an interest to watch it on TV. I do check up on the Wild once and a while. I love watching international play, though. I enjoyed many of the Olympic games, even those between countries that were entirely irrelevant to me. Too bad that doesn't happen more often.

Soccer: Haven't watched a minute of MLS. I enjoy rooting for US in international play, but we're usually too bad for that to be much fun.