12 Ways to Prove to Your Team You're a Diehard Fan

If you're a sports fan, there are times when you just can't help but do whatever it takes to show just how much you love your favorite team and players.

Sure, we all have limits on what we're willing to spend or do to support our teams, but those who go above and beyond what's normal know that being a diehard fan takes a little bit more extra effort—but it's totally worth it.

But how can a fan prove that he or she is a diehard? I give you examples of ways that living, breathing and dreaming about a favorite sports team is perfectly done.

You Know Your History

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This one might seem obvious, but it's one way to prove to everyone else that you don't mess around when it comes to knowing everything there is to know about your favorite franchise.

Knowing your history doesn't just mean naming the entire roster and rattling off where each player went to college, it also means knowing the name of the guy who collected the game-winning hit during the must-win game to get the team into the playoffs 20 years ago.

When a fan turns into an encyclopedia of sports knowledge for a team, that's when things are next level.

Mother Nature Can't Keep You Away

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Oh, the temperature on game day calls for snow and subzero temperature? That means absolutely nothing to those diehard fans who would rather risk getting frostbite than miss seeing their team live.

It might sound crazy to those who value comfort more than cheering, but that's what separates good fans from diehard fans.

And for those who still go shirtless when snow is falling, major props to you for having way more guts than I—or just a hell of a lot of beers to make that type of decision.

Your Fantasy Team Includes a Lot of Players from Your Favorite Team

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We're all guilty of doing it, so what's the big deal, right?

When it comes to fantasy sports, it's not uncommon to throw a little bit more love at the guys who play for your favorite team, giving a fan the opportunity to cheer for that player both in real life and for fantasy purposes.

Now, as a Cleveland Browns fan, I can tell you that it's not the wisest decision if one is looking for fantasy glory, but diehard fans just can't help themselves and are always hopeful for the best when it comes to their team.

You Camp Out for Tickets

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Who needs the luxury confines of a home when you can just cuddle up with other loyal supporters outside a ticket office in order to guarantee tickets to see your favorite team play? Not diehard fans.

Whether it's Duke Blue Devils students camping out in Krzyzewskiville to land tickets to see the Dukies men's hoops team play, Kentucky Wildcats supporters pitching tents to see the annual Big Blue Madness or that Tennessee Titans fan who made his way to the ticket line two months before the season started, these are the fans we should all strive to be.

You Reply to Your Favorite Team on Social Media During Games

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Social media is a lovely little tool for fans of sports, isn't it? In addition to up-to-the-second content of stuff that's happening in real-time, it gives us supporters a chance to partake in online conversations with a community of people.

And those who use it during games know that it can help vent opinions.

There's a good chance that we're all guilty of tweeting to our favorite team's account while watching the team play live, acting as if the person responsible for posting updates is on the bench and calling plays.

From bashing the lineup to voicing frustration over lack of effort, diehard fans turn to social media to get their opinions out there—and, sometimes, a team will reply.

You Always Renew Your Season Tickets

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Forget how crappy the team was last season, because, when a new season is set to begin, every fan is hopeful that his or her favorite squad will turn things around—and they want to make sure to be part of it all.

Season tickets definitely aren't cheap, but with first dibs on seats if and when a team reaches the playoffs, as well as the chance to see a team play live every home game, it's one of the best investments a sports fan can make.

Some people like to save money for retirement, but diehard fans like to blow it on sports tickets every year. To each his own.

You Rush the Field Without Any Fear

Is it worth it? Is it ludicrous? Is it ballsy? Yes! Yes! Yes!

Those would be the answers to the question of rushing the field or storming the court to celebrate with your favorite team, taking in a moment that you will never forget for as long as you live, while ignoring whatever consequence might come because of the decision.

Just ask that Chicago Cubs fan who stormed the field following Jake Arrieta's no-hitter last month if he'd do it again, I would bet that he'd say yes without any hesitation.

Editor's Note: Don't take this too seriously, folks. If you rush the field, you will probably get arrested, so it wouldn't be the smartest move to do.

You Get a Tattoo for Them

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There have been some questionable tattoos by sports fans before, but, like death and taxes, those who are diehard supporters will continue to do them year after year.

When people openly decide to get something inked on their body for the rest of their lives, that shows a deeper appreciation for a franchise than many of us could ever fathom, taking them into another stratosphere of fanaticism.

Some of the tattoos may end up being super regrettable, but it's the fact that a person would take such a chance to do it that should be applauded.

Editor's Note: Once again, please don't actually go and get yourself inked up. It's supportive, but tattoos hurt, so I advise against it.

You Stick Around and Cheer Till the End

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Just when everyone thought it was OK to leave because a game was all but decided, you were the one who stuck it out and lasted till the end, so good on you for being true to the team.

It's easy to find excuses to leave a game early—it's late, you want to beat traffic, your team's getting smashed, etc.—but it's those who refuse to find those practical reasons who are the biggest supporters of them all.

Plus, you never know when leaving early could come back and bite you in the butt.

You Travel to See Them Play

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Sure, dropping thousands of dollars for season tickets is a bold move, but actually dropping thousands of dollars on a weekend trip to see your favorite team play is even more daring, as it leaves fans to travel to enemy territory to watch a game.

Even when your favorite team isn't all that great—like a New York Knicks fans who dropped $20,000 to see every on of their games in the NBA season—to blow cash on travel, lodging and food just to watch a game is awesome.

You Dress Up in Full Garb as Your Favorite Player

We've all been to sporting events where we see some person in full garb at the stadium trying to channel their inner professional athlete by wearing the exact same uniform the players do. And while that's a little insane, it's nothing compared to a fan doing it while dressed as their favorite player.

There have been a few instances of this happening, with the most recent being the guy who made fans do a double take to see if reigning NL MVP Bryce Harper was, in fact, sitting in the stands during a game.

Props to those who can pull it off, too, because it takes guts and dedication.

You Go to Opposing Stadiums When Your Team's Not Playing Just to Boo

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This is just about the definition of a diehard sports fan—or a very good reason to go see a therapist—because it's the most obvious way to show someone else how much you care about your team.

Crashing another team's game might cost you a bunch of time and money, but if it draws attention to you and your team, then you succeeded at what you hoped to do.

You're going to be heckled and questioned for showing up, but scream and cheer as loudly as you can because you don't have a horse in the race when you do it.