We the Team (And By We... I mean Them)

[The Gopher]

This phrase could be seen on any NFL message board moments after the Superbowl: "WE ARE THE SUPERBOWL CHAMPS!!!!" Who is we? As a poster on this board what did you do to get the team to the Superbowl? Was Cowher reading your post about the need for more Trick plays using Randell El as a QB that helped propel the Steelers to victory? Was the chant of "Sea HACKS!" you started in the Superbowl the real reason the Seahawks couldn't pull it out in the end? The answer to these outrageous questions is obviously no (if you answered yes, well disregard my comments and keep on doing what you do). Let me make this clear that the intent of my article is not to bash fans who use "we" when referring to their team, but to examine why so many of us have such an emotional response to the play of the beloved (insert favorite team here).

[GatorsRock]

Great article as always and you didn't come across as a bunch of astericks. :)

[BigBenCan7]

I really don't agree with people using the term "we" when referring to their team. Even if you are a Packers fan with a 5 dollar piece of paper that says you own a part of the Packers, you've got nothing to do with Brett Favre throwing a touchdown to Donald Driver on the last play of the game. You didn't make the block that gave Favre time, and you didn't make the interception that put Favre in field position to score on that play. I love the Steelers; they have been the only thing I can think about on Sundays for some 40+ years now. That does not mean that I, somehow, contribute to their success.

[Tronix]

There is a scenario, maybe there was a Steeler fan who had a seat near the endzone, during a hypothetical game where the score was 27-21 Steelers,
Maybe the hypothetical opponent was driving down the field with seconds to go, and maybe the QB of the opposing team throws a pass to the end zone where there is a wide open WR, the Steelers fan yells at the last possible second distracting the opposing WR, causing him to drop the ball, sealing the win for the Steelers.

This is far fetched, but possible, never discount the advantage the 12th man gives. A local radio host who was a Buccaneer back in the day (Ian Beckles) said that when they played home games where there was 2,500 people in the stadium it was hard to get amped up for the game, it was so quiet.. He actually said, he was more hyped playing away games, because the fans were into it..
That isn't why we lost so much then, but it could have helped alittle if the 12th man showed..

[JoeSav9256]

Ive been at countless Giants games where the crowd has made the visitor jump offsides. Lots of times in key situations. Its possible to help the team win. The fans that go through the turnstiles every sunday are the reason there is even a football team. Remember that.

By NO MEANS am i saying that i have played on a professional level or that i even know what its like to be an NFL player. I have tons of respect for how truly great these guys are.

[Shoey]

I've got no shame in saying "we", I'd say it right to Jim Kelly's face in a conversation (after i'm done kissing his feet). I just feel that the Bills are that important to me and that i've dedicated enough heart and soul into them that I reserve the right as a fan to say "we". Sure, I curse them out like any family member... but the Bills (and Sabres for that matter) are my family and "we" always stay together.

[BigBenCan7]

There is a scenario, maybe there was a Steeler fan who had a seat near the endzone, during a hypothetical game where the score was 27-21 Steelers,
Maybe the hypothetical opponent was driving down the field with seconds to go, and maybe the QB of the opposing team throws a pass to the end zone where there is a wide open WR, the Steelers fan yells at the last possible second distracting the opposing WR, causing him to drop the ball, sealing the win for the Steelers.

As you said, this is very far-fetched. There is very little chance of the receiver even hearing just one fan, let alone letting him distract him.


This is far fetched, but possible, never discount the advantage the 12th man gives. A local radio host who was a Buccaneer back in the day (Ian Beckles) said that when they played home games where there was 2,500 people in the stadium it was hard to get amped up for the game, it was so quiet.. He actually said, he was more hyped playing away games, because the fans were into it..
That isn't why we lost so much then, but it could have helped alittle if the 12th man showed..


You know what else get's players hyped? Music. Does Survivor reserve the right to call every NFL team "we" because his Eye of the Tiger song get's the players on them hyped up?

[JoeSav9256]

Yea BBC you have good points. But i just feel that without us (the fans) that there would be no reason to play the games. If nobody cared about a sport do you think owners and investors would put all their money into financing a team for the stands to be empty? No way.

I agree with you that we arent out there throwing or catching TD passes, but the fans are a part of this. We DO NOT WORK AS HARD AS THE COACHES AND PLAYERS. But we are a part of it.

[BigBenCan7]

Yea BBC you have good points. But i just feel that without us (the fans) that there would be no reason to play the games. If nobody cared about a sport do you think owners and investors would put all their money into financing a team for the stands to be empty? No way.

I agree with you that we arent out there throwing or catching TD passes, but the fans are a part of this. We DO NOT WORK AS HARD AS THE COACHES AND PLAYERS. But we are a part of it.

We may be the reason they play the game, but that doesn't make us part of the team.

TV Shows wouldn't do too well without viewers either. When talking about the show "The Office" I don't say, "Man! We had a great episode last night, didn't we?"

[JungleKing]

I pay their salary with merchandise, tickets and food, it's my team.

[JoeSav9256]

We may be the reason they play the game, but that doesn't make us part of the team.

TV Shows wouldn't do too well without viewers either. When talking about the show "The Office" I don't say, "Man! We had a great episode last night, didn't we?"

I'm not saying....."i am a member of the Giants"......but even when players talk about the fans they say they are a part of it. I love this sport because you can have an effect on the game....being the 12th man at home games.

[BigBenCan7]

I'm not saying....."i am a member of the Giants"......but even when players talk about the fans they say they are a part of it. I love this sport because you can have an effect on the game....being the 12th man at home games.

Actually, by saying "we," that is essentially what you are saying. A lot of things have effects on games, for exampe wind (just ask Turnover Tommy ;)), the turf, and the stadium. That doesn't make any of those things part of the team.