Football fans are a curious bunch. We are creatures of habit. We complain about concession prices, but shovel out eight dollars for a beer and six bucks for a dog the minute the second quarter ends. We are like sheep on an open range.
Our adherence to tradition and rituals, however, is something that makes us unique.
Most of our traditions, such as Army and Navy standing together, side-by-side after the game, are sacred. But this isn't about traditions—it's about fads, and while some of them need to be permanent traditions, others need to be dumped forever.
A look at some of the fads in football that have made "The good, the bad, and the ugly" list:
The Good
1. Hot Girls in Hot Attire
Imagine if you will, a guy sitting on the couch with a bunch of fraternity brothers watching a football game on a "snow day." All of a sudden, the television cameras get a "honey shot" of a girl in an FSU cowboy hat, (scroll halfway down that site's page to see the picture, guys, it's worth it) wearing a low cut (and tight) tee shirt and a pair of midriff-baring Daisy Dukes. This is what gets college football fans through harsh winters or Minnesota Golden Gophers football.
This year, expect half the coeds attending football games to be "waiting to be discovered" like Jenn Sterger was on national television—and not one guy will complain.
2. The Wave
There are two teams which have claimed to be the originators of "the wave." Originated in 1981, give credit to both the Oakland Athletics and Washington Huskies.
The fact that it isn't used much anymore is too bad, because if you are at a bad football game, "the wave" can occupy your time while waiting for the clock to expire. Even more fun was booing the section that didn't participate in the wave. It also had an added benefit for parents—your child was entertained for free instead of you spending five bucks on some cotton candy.
3. "You, You, You"
This yell was infamous in the '80s and is rarely used anymore, but the intent was beautiful—to shame a player who got called for a penalty. Entire bleacher sections would stand up, point their fingers at the player, and chant loudly, "You, you, you."
The offending player always noticed the display of smack from the fans, which is why this was, and will always be, one of the best fads—besides streaking—in football history.
4. "Zombie Nation"
This one is a bit newer, but has taken off in the Big Ten—especially at Camp Randall and Happy Valley. The new rallying cry for college football fans is fairly simple—the song "Zombie Nation" comes on, and the students jump up and down in unison mumbling the same indecipherable words over and over again.
From a television viewer's angle, it's pretty cool. It also burns off some alcohol—an added bonus, of course.
5. "Gator bait" or "Tiger bait"
There's nothing like intimidating an opponent, and if you happen to visit Death Valley (LSU or Clemson) as a fan of the visiting team, be prepared for some warm, country lovin' from the home team. Not.
Chants of "Tiger bait" will be reverberating in your ears for the next three hours. The Swamp is even worse. It's hot, sticky, noisy, and really only hospitable to Gators. Bring earplugs if you go to any of those venues—one game in Baton Rouge was so loud the decibels registered on a local Richter scale.
6. "When the team scores, the fans score"
It's very simple. When a Texas A&M touchdown or field goal occurs, it's time to kiss your date. Unfortunately for a lot of guys, the Aggies didn't do very well last season (7-6).
Legend has it that during some tough years, it was changed to "when the Aggies make a first down, the Aggies' fans score." That's one way to make lemonade out of lemons!
The Bad
1. Scary tats
As much as I appreciate good art, the face and neck tattoos are a bit scary. While college football fans usually get cute little temporary tats on their cheeks, the pro football fans take it to the next level.
The Raider Nation is a perfect example, and I am a Raider fan, so please, no screaming at me. It scares kids, and to be honest, if one of these dudes committed a crime, how would he ever be identified?
2. "D-Fence" sign
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