"We": A Team's Blessing in Disguise

A few days ago, writer Kent wrote an article about how using the term “we” when referring to our team is wrong. And while I respect his view and opinion, I must disagree. And, luckily for me, this is America and my opinion is welcome (most of the time at least), and I have the mind to write my own article (for the time being,), with my own points.

So sit back and buckle up. This might be a long ride and Gray Ghost has said there will be no “potty stops.”

Kent started his article with a definition of the word “we.” The definition was simply “…the word with which a person in speaking or writing denotes a number or company of which he is one…” Kent then points out that the key part was “of which he is one,” and boy was he right.

Kent then gives examples such as “We are the best plastic surgeons in this hospital,” and “We finished the marathon in four hours.” He says because he is not the plastic surgeon or marathon runner he can’t say “we.”

In my opinion, if you are say the nurse with that surgeon in the operating room or even the trainer to that marathon runner you can say “we” because you were there to help, motivate, and support. You were there to help when things got tough and when you thought there was just no way. You were there to motivate when even you didn’t see a bright star in the sky.

I don’t know about you, but to me, that sounds a lot like a fan to me.

This is where Kent and I first disagree (didn’t take long did it?).

I know for me and many others on this site, you feel like a part of your team. You feel as if you should be right there with them. You are there to support them through the good and bad, through sickness and in health, for richer or poorer (even if those season tickets and gas money has made you the “poorer” one in the equation), til death do you part. You feel as if their successes and losses are your successes and losses.

He gives an example of a “beer-bellied, one-legged, 45-year-old fan” (and by the way Kent, just how did you run into my cousin?) saying things like “We are the best team in the country,” “Did you see the way we dominated on defense?” and several others. He then asks how we contributed to the way that team played?

And, without quoting his entire article, he then gives references to examples about building skyscrapers and other examples. And, while these are great examples, they have nothing to do with the topic he was writing about.

If you haven’t read his article please do so, because if you don’t I am afraid you will be lost from here on out.

As a fan, I may not have been to the team meetings. But you can your front row seat in…well…let’s say Auburn (It’s close to the other thing right? Ha.), that I’ve watched those player interviews and Nick Saban on that press conference talk about his worried and plans for this game.

As a fan, I may not have been with the team studying the playbooks and films. But that doesn’t mean I don’t know when the Tide isn’t going to blitz or run another type of play based on what players he has and what positions they are in. This is fun, for them and for the fans. This is what we, and they, live for.

As a fan, I may not have been at practice getting broken bones or concussions. You are right about that. But obviously you haven’t been to a real football game like Alabama vs. LSU or the Iron Bowl. People get broken bones and concussions all the time just from cheering in the stands.

And weather conditions? I’m sure if you ask fans that went to the Alabama v Mississippi State game they will tell you they were there in the cold, rain, and wind. And they loved every minute of it.

We as fans are not taking credit for their success. We are sharing in their success as we do in their defeats. We are standing behind our team no matter the outcome. We are fans. We care. We support our team.

Kent then talks about some “excuses” fans use to “legitimize” saying we. To me, they aren’t excuses. They are simply explanations. And there is a difference. And for the record, the weight joke wasn’t funny. I found it disrespectful actually.

“Excuse” One

“I am a die-hard fan with season tickets and I go to every single game, even the away ones.”

These fans are there through every game. They are there through the wins and the losses. They are there through the blistering heat and the freezing temperatures. Granted, they aren’t on the field physically, but you can bet your bottom dollar they are there emotionally. Just hoping everything goes the way it is supposed to and no one gets hurt.

“Excuse” Two

“I am a student at the school, so I should be able to say ‘we’.”

I am just thankful students have enough pride in their teams to attend these games. These students spend their money on tickets and clothes to wear to the games. They spend on the gas and the food and everything else.

While they might not be “in bed by 8 p.m. and up at 3 a.m. for weightlifting,” they are there for the game, supporting their team. And if they have "been drinking from 11 a.m. until six the next morning", well my friend, going to a game hung over shows even more dedication.

“Excuse”Three

“I played on the team back in 1965. That gives me the right to be a part of the team forever.”

You are exactly right it does. Every team now is they way they are because of history. Every team has former players to thank for the team they have now. These guys know the hard work and dedication it takes to play on a team. They know what it is like to be up weightlifting.

They also know what it means to have people behind you. Hence the reason they are 63 and at Bryant-Denny yelling for their team. Hence the reason they are beside all those “crazy hung over students” yelling right along with them. They know what it all means.

Alabama Coach Nick Saban was doing a radio broadcast before the Mississippi State game and asked all fans to not take the game lightly. He asked the fans to come out and support their team for this game just like any other (if you actually heard this broadcast you know there was some editing involved).

He said the fans and energy is something they feed off of.  And after the game he thanked the fans for their support even through the cold, wind, and rain.

After the LSU game and Iron Bowl, Nick Saban said he “Was thrilled for the team and for our fans, they all really deserved this and wanted it.” Sounds to me like the Coach appreciates the fans and even considers us a part of the team.

We as fans may not have our name on a jersey on the field. However, we have the names of the player’s on our jerseys. Why? Because we respect them and support them and want them to know that.  We may not be on the field calling plays but you can bet we are in the stands hoping that no one gets hurt and that the play they call goes as planned.

We as fans are there through the wins to LSU and Auburn and the losses to Florida and ULM. We are there to support the players and wonder what in the world they were doing at some points. We appreciate the history and the previous players. We are fans. We consider ourselves a part of the team.

Imagine a game with no screaming fans…seems very dull doesn’t it? "We" are fans.