The Bleacher Report exists because there are avid and passionate sports fans throughout the country.
I would categorize my sports enthusiasm with the majority of sports fans by saying that I root for teams to which I have an alliance or teams that caught my interest as a child.
My favorite college sports teams are anything related to the Kansas Jayhawks; since I am an alumnus.
Although I was raised in New Jersey, my favorite NFL team has always been the Denver Broncos. As a child, I was a huge fan of Haven Moses, Floyd Little, and Otis Armstrong. Therefore, my fanaticism was born under that premise.
That being said, I believe that most people become fans under similar circumstances; therefore, it is safe to say that most sports fans are honest and true to their fanaticism as it pertains to their favorite team.
However, there is one exception to my theory.
Whenever I am in mixed company and the topic of sport arises, I cringe as soon as I hear anyone proclaim to be either a New York Yankees fan or Dallas Cowboys fan.
The reason is simple: Anyone proclaiming to be a fan of either team is simply a 'bandwagon fan' that has been brainwashed to believe that these two franchises are 'America’s' teams.
Unless you are from the Bronx or from Dallas, what sane person would root for these self-absorbed, self-praising, and over-hyped teams?
Let’s face it, most people residing in other states (that are also fans of teams from other states) usually are true fans.
For instance, if you see a person from Boston wearing a 49’ers jersey, then you could deduct that the person is a true fan of the 49’ers because there is no false pretense involved in the admiration of the team.
However, when you see people wearing Yankees garb or Cowboys garb in other cities, it is usually because they have inevitably hopped on the bandwagon. They have proclaimed themselves Yankees or Cowboys fans because everyone else has done the same.
The bandwagon has made it fashionable and chic to wear the blue star or the blue pinstripes. Therefore, the fanaticism is born under false pretense; not from the love of the team.
Unfortunately, the only proof to support my theory is my younger sister, a few friends, and the countless 'out-of-towners' I encounter while playing poker in Atlantic City.
You know the routine of these bandwagon fans. They all proudly don their Cowboys or Yankees gear and boastfully tout how great these squads have been.
However, if you ask any of the aforementioned why they love the Cowboys or Yankees, the closest thing you will get to an answer is a blank stare. The stare will always be followed by: “Uh...because I’ve always liked them!”
Now, I am not saying that all fans of these franchises are frauds. I am simply stating the majority of the fans that root for these teams do so because of what the franchises’ popularity represents to the nation as opposed to whether or not they truly like the team.
The next thing you’ll begin hearing from these bandwagon fans is how much they like 'Madrid Real.' However, it won’t be because they really care for soccer, it will be because of the popularity of 'Madrid Real.'
Bandwagon Fans: you gotta’ love em’!
13 comments Last one added 6 months ago — Leave a Comment
Edgar Antonio Nunez 7 months ago
I can't deny that the Yankees have their share of bandwagon fans. However, in a city of 8.5 million residents and with a team that's won 26 championships and has existed since 1901, their potential for a very large fan base is huge.
I won't bother defending the Cowboys, I hate them, but as the team with the most championships, I can understand people jumping on the bandwagon.
I have to say, on a more general point, this labeling of teams as self-absorbed, etc is asinine. Don't understand how people can apply human attributes in blanket fashion to a whole collection of people (players, fans, scouts, owners, broadcasters, etc). Derek Jeter is one of the most unassuming, humble players in baseball. Bernie Williams, Tino Martinez, Andy Pettitte, David Cone, Joe Girardi, Don Mattingly, Joe Torre (when with the Yankees), Scott Brosius, Hideki Matsui, Robinson Cano, Mariano Rivera, should I continue??
Ironically you chastise the mindlessness of bandwagon jumpers, yet at the same time, without a sense of irony, use a blanket statement about an entire organization because most also have that negative opinion.
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ab gm 7 months ago
Look i won't take the time to defend the Yankees I don't know their history or care for them but the Cawboys are an institution. Eight superbowl apparences 5 titles. Great names in the teams history like Tom Landry one of the best coaches of all time. Quartebacks like Roger Staubach and Troy Aikman running back greats in Tony Dorsett and the best of all time Emmit Smith just to mention a few. Bandwagon? Just because you like a popular team does not mean you are a bandwagon fan. Have you ever trhought that ther's the possibility the a fan of the bandwagon teams as you call them may be legit. This teams are popular for a reson they have history the Cowboys have been in the leage since the 60's and have had many great seasons and most important they win wich is the best way to keep getting fans, who the hell wants to rout for a looser team. Also if you want to call any type of fan a bandwagon fan try you team the Denver Broncos no one would cheer for them or wear their jersys until they won back to back superbpwls with John Elway and Terrel Davis. Take a look at your team before you make comments about grat tems like the Dallas Cowboys.
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Shashwat Baxi 7 months ago
You can feel however you want, but you don't need to be from the BX or the Big D to root for these teams. I hate Dallas and have never cheered for them. Growing up in the western part of CT, I grew up as a Yankees fan. Why do I need to be from the BX to be a Yankees fan? Because I live in CT means that I have to like the Red Sox or the Patriots? I love the Yankees and have since before their years of success starting in '96. Go Bombers and Go G-Men!
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Andrew Stephan 7 months ago
Shashwat, I checked your profile to see where in CT you were from. Turns out it was Southington. I'm from Cheshire, so all I have to say is: 9 to 7. If you follow high school football, I think you'll get my drift.
I do agree with your comment though. Being from CT gives you the right to root for either New York or Boston teams. It's in between the two cities.
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Travis Evans 7 months ago
The tv stations bandwagon the most. There for the cowboys then against week in and week out
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Perry Arnold 7 months ago
At least with regard to this Yankee fan, you could not be more wrong. I have never lived in New York and have really only visited there once, this past summer when my wife, daughter and I simply had to go to New York to see The Stadium before they tore it down. I have lived in small rural towns or on army bases my entire life and have loved the Yankees from before I could remember. I am 55 years old and when I first began to understand baseball it was Mantle, Berra, Ford, Maris, Skowron, Richardson, Kubek, et al. But I have remained a fan when they were at their worst, when Mel Stottlemyre lost 20 games the season after he won 20, when they finished last in the American League, when almost all we had to root for was Don Mattingly when he hit home runs in eight straight games and I was trying to tune the games in on a portable radio from the New York radio station. I have always been and will always be a Yankee fan and I know that there are many more of us out there who have been on the wagon when there was no band.
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frank bridge 7 months ago
As for being a Yankee fan I have two words for you; Bridgeport Ct. Being from western Ct. is being from a town or city that is a suburb of NYC. The sixty minute train ride to midtown makes NYC and all it's wonders (including Yankee stadium) a very easy ride. Would you suggest that someone who lives an hour from downtown Chicago not route for the Bears? Now for the Cowboys. My best friend in first grade was from a Cowboy fan and turned me onto the joy that is football. My family is all from Philadelphia and were avid Eagles fans. My dad however was a marginal sports fan in general. I could have easily been pressured to route for the Eagles yet I resisted. I am the family sports outcast to this day. Please tell how it is easier to be a Dallas fan when all my other friends all routed for the Giants or the Jets. Growing up with Drew Pearson, Calvin Hill, Bob Lilly, Bob Hayes, Rodger the Dodger, Ed 'To Tall' Jones, Harvey Martin, Tom Landry, Tony Dorsett (I'll stop here because you know I could go on forever with the talent and athleticism this team has had on the roster since its inception), how could I not fall in love with this team? I am now the proud father of two teen boys and a nine year old girl all who proudly and sometimes sadly) cheer on our team. As far as front runner fans, I hate them more than you. Do you think they remember losing to Pittsburg in the super bowls or Troy Aikmans first year in the NFL or Chan freakin Gailely? Somehow I doubt it. Just so you know I do have one professional sports team from Ct. I route for (and have season tickets) the UCONN HUSKIES. Does that again make me a front runner because they are ranked #2 in the nation? Please get a clue and don't lump us all together or make ignorant sweeping statements. Go Big D!
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Stephen Urbaniak 7 months ago
Wait a minute. The Yankees and the Cowboys have fans all over the world. I take exception to the fact that you say that anyone who roots for them is a bandwagon fan or they are from Dallas, Texas or New York City. I have been a Cowboys fan since I could understand what was on TV. I am from Northern Virginia. I am smack dab in the middle of Redskins country. You could ask me anything you want on Cowboys history or etc and I could tell you. Why? because I am a TRUE fan. I grew up with Steve Beurelien, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and more recently Tony Romo and Marion Barber. I was rooting for them even when they werent winning during the decline of the 90's when we went 5-11 three years in a row before Bill Parcells took over. So please, dont confuse the frauds with the true fans with moronic statements.
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2dogs Gardner 7 months ago
It was the early seventies when the Cowboys were bigger than life to me. I was probably seven or eight and I made a bet with my dad. He was taking the Vikings in a playoff game against the Cowboys. To tell the truth, I can't remember who won the game. I just know that it was right then and there when I became a lifer for the f cowboy fan. Being from Cali I have always taken the abuse from the hated 49ers and their fans. Raider fans are even worse. Try wearing an opposing jersey into the Oakland Colisium and see where that will get ya. They prey on people like me. Especially since I am wearing a cowboys jersey.It sure is nice to see both teams,49ers and Raiders ,stinking up football fields all over America. I love it.
But I do know that the tides will change and I will have to fend off the sharks when it does. This is why I love the game of football and living in America ,where we have the freedom to choose and root for whoever we want.
GO COWBOYS
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T.J. Morrill 7 months ago
Hold on here. I'm a Yankees fan and I live in Wyoming. I knew nothing of their greatness when they caught my attention, I knew that they won the WS in 2000 when I fell in love with baseball but that's not why I like the Yankees. I truly began my Yankees fanhood when my grandfather died of Lou Gehrig's disease and that sparked my interest into the Yankees history and ever since I have been a Yankees fan and I do not like them because of the fact that people call them America's Team but because I love their history and honestly I love watching guys like Robinson Cano and Jose Molina play, you may be shocked I used those names but I love Cano's play at 2nd and even though he had an off year he has a beautiful swing. I love watching Jose Molina because even though his swing isn't all that great he has an amazing arm behind the plate and is always on the same page as the pitcher. Beautiful baseball, beautiful history and a connection through my grandfather are all reasons why I love the Yankees, not because they have the largest market in the MLB.
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peter ising 7 months ago
I am Cowboy and a Yankee fan. I was born and raised in New Jersey, no where near Dallas, really close to NY. I was raised with 2 fathers my real dad was a HUGE Cowboy fan and my Step-Dad the Yankee fan. I am no "bandwagon fan" I have been a fan since b4 they won all those superbowls, when the boys were 1-15, I was a fan befor the yankees had there string of championships in the 90's. I can name all the players of the losing teams and much as i can name the players of the championship teams. Look do you guys get yourselves off to finding anything and everything wrong with these teams and their fans? I have heard this topic so many times. All i hear is just a bunch of other fans and other teams that are jealous of the success of these franchizes. ITS OK! MOOOOVE ON. maybe in three decades from now, the yankees will have not won another championship same for dallas. easily over night these teams can go in the crapper like the detroit lions organization (no offense) or the KC royals (no offense) but you know what. The NY yankees and the Dallas cowboys make the fact that when your teams wins over them THAT MUCH BETTER!!! To all of you that lose sleep over what us fans and are franchizes are doing, get a life and start worrying about what your franchizes aren't doing to get to the cowboys and the yankees level.
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Juni Ramos 6 months ago
Listen John im from Jersey too and thats not the reason i am a through and through Yankee fan...26 championships ...decades of history ....im a fan of Tino Martinez...Paul o'neal...Jorge Posada...just cuz im not from the bronx doesnt mean i am jumping on the Yankee Bandwagon...im a nets fan too...they suck terribly...they always disappoint me....does that mean oh now im a Celtics Fan cuz they won the championship? Hell f*king no...Its loyalty that makes sports great...the fans who were there in chigago getting there hearts broken year after year...the Block Head Mets fans who are DIE HARD no matter how many times their belvoed team CHOKES...the Yankee fans who know that the team is a bully and the managment is suspect yet they still love the team...Not all are bandwagon John ...true fans exsist for EVERY team........
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Janet Gibbs 6 months ago
Dear Big Brother of mine, while I can see you're still a hater of the TRUE COWBOYS fans... get over it. I have and always will be a true fan not because as you have said "just because it's America's team" because they are America's team. This article was for your older sister the ultimate bandwagon jumper.
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