NFL Preseason 2011: 12 Rules NFL Bandwagon Fans Should Follow

The NFL season is approaching and fans are hopping on the bandwagons of teams incorrectly.

Being a bandwagon fan is not something that one should take lightly. There are duties and responsibilities that must be followed in order to maintain proper decorum in a NFL stadium.

Earlier this month I proclaimed myself the captain of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Twitter. I received a lot of mixed reaction from other fans of the Buccaneers ranging from support to complete disapproval. Some people feel that they are real diehard fans and do not approve of bandwagon fans. However, my decision is based on a singular principle: fans are the ultimate free agent.

Players, teams, leagues and governments all make decisions in their own best interests. Fans should be able to make similar decisions. If a fan isn't pleased with the direction that a team is going, they should be able to join another team's fanbase.

For the sake of argument, bandwagon fans will be considered as fans who are following a team for fewer than four seasons.

Here are 12 rules for proper conduct as a bandwagon fan.

Jamal Wilburg is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.

You can follow him on Twitter @JWilburg

Military Exemption

Members of the military are free to support the local team of where they are stationed, period. It is understood that they will still be supporting the team they cheered for growing up as well.

Children Are Exempt

Children can change teams as often as they desire. This way they should have their team figured out by the time they are an adult. Also, only fools would ridicule a child at a football game.

Family Exemption

If you have a family member that is a part of the team, you are obviously free to root for the family member and their team.

Relationships Have No Jurisdiction in Fanhood

If you are a Green Bay Packers fan and your significant other is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan you cannot change affiliations just because you are in a relationship.

Only One Piece of Team Apparel May Be Worn at a Time

Bandwagon fans should only wear one piece of team apparel at a time. Since you are new to the team, you have not earned the right to show up decked out in all of the latest team gear and accessories. That right is only available to real fans.

No Bashing of Previous Team

You chose to root for your previous team. The fan in the photo is a Detroit Lions fan with a bag over their head dissing the Lions and rooting for the Atlanta Falcons. This is unacceptable behavior. You cannot diss your original fan base while rooting for your bandwagon team.

No Body Paint

Actually all fans should stay away from body paint. It just looks dumb.

No Signs at the Game

Don't draw attention to yourself as a bandwagon fan. It only makes you look like a Jersey Shore reject.

No Usage of the Words "We" or "Us" to Describe Your Affiliation

Fans aren't part of the team on the field.

More importantly, as a bandwagon member of the fanbase you haven't endured any hardships rooting for the team. Therefore, any terms to describe the team such as "us", "we" and "our" should never be used.

For example, lets say the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints. A bandwagon Bucs fan shouldn't turn to a Saints fan and say, "The Saints can't beat us." Instead, they should say, "The Saints can't beat the Bucs."

Don't Be Intimidated by "Real" or "Diehard" Fans

If they were as diehard as they say they are, the seat you are sitting in wouldn't be empty, period.

No Wearing Throwback Jerseys

Throwback jerseys and attire are meant to look back into the history of a franchise. Amongst some fans it brings back a feeling of nostalgia and memories of games and days gone by.

Bandwagon fans have no such memories, and thus, should not disrespect longtime fans by wearing a logo that they never supported.

Team Must Be Declared While Records Are 0-0

The No. 1 rule to being a bandwagon fan is that you must claim the team you will be rooting for before any regular season games are played.

You can't wait until Week 14 when the playoff picture is starting to come together to decide that you want to be a Dallas Cowboys fan.

If you think Vince Young as Michael Vick's backup quarterback is an unstoppable combination, then you must declare yourself a fan of the Philadelphia Eagles before the games that count start.

Are there any rules that you feel I left out? Feel free to comment below.