Calling All Fair Weather Fans
by kentuckybronco on Oct 26, 2009 4:51 PM MDT
39 comments
I've been called this before and I will be called this again. "You are a fair weather fan." Usually, a complete stranger will call me this. It's unprovoked and unnecessary. Yesterday, I was rudely interrupted at the library by one of these naysayers of my fanhood. As I was sitting at a table, studying my Thermodynamics book, a young man came up to me and said "You're probably wearing that broncos jersey because they're undefeated."
My simple reply was "yes". This provoked this instigator of no-goodedness to get a big head. He thought he was right about me. He thought he had it all figured out.
What he didn't know is that I was wearing the jersey because I'm a fan. Yes, I wore the jersey because the broncos were undefeated, but I would wear it if they weren't undefeated, too. I just answered his question without explaining myself, hoping that he would go away. Well, I was wrong. He stayed there and tried to convince me how overrated the Broncos were. Thanks to you wonderful folks at MHR, I was able to refute his fantasies with Orange and Blue Bronco Facts.
He doesn't know me. He had never met me before. His first communication with me was an assertion that he knew about my fanhood.
Why are people like this? Just because we are fans of a winning team doesn't mean we are fair weather fans. Sure, there are fair weather fans out there, but why is everyone lumped into this category if the team is doing well?
Have you all experienced a random person coming up to you, refuting your fanhood or was it just me? Perhaps living in Louisville, far away from Broncos Country, influences the notion that people from around here are Broncos fans. I am not sure. What do you all think? Am I over thinking this?
This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR
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That's what great about this site...
It is all there. Regardless of what the Broncos are doing now – there is a history, an archive, of who was supporting what and when.
Of course, people who are what you describe above will only assume you are a Front-Runner since they have their opinion handed to them. Be better than that – agree or disagree with what I say, or any of the contributors, but do so because you have come up with your own opinion – not the regurgitation of others….
-TSG
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by John Bena on Oct 26, 2009 5:02 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
That is definitely true.
It’s a shame that people like that aren’t on MHR. If only they knew…….
Of course I wouldn’t regurgitate stuff because contributors said it on here. I do have my own opinion, but it is nice to have some of those opinions confirmed or debated (knowledgeably) by others members of MHR from time to time. It brings a better understanding to all of us when we have informed discussion on MHR.
2 minds are better than 1. I don’t know how many members are on MHR, but I know that collectively, MHR is more informed than you, me, or any one member.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
by kentuckybronco on Oct 26, 2009 5:22 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I got questioned a lot when the trade happened and marshall pouted
To stand by McDaniels got me bashed by everyone…until now! They KNOW “I aint no fair weather fan”
Davis and Sharpe to the Hall!
"Teamwork divides the task and double the success."
- Unknown
by Jon Tollerud on Oct 26, 2009 5:10 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I'll admit it. I was a little concerned about the McDaniels hiring, at first.
I didn’t know how we would be without Shanny. I was hesitant based on ignorance. I didn’t know much about Coach McDaniels, so I was a little wary of the unknown. Now, that doesn’t mean I was a fair weather fan. I still rocked my jerseys and hoodies and was supporting my team and hoping for a good year.
Being a fan doesn’t mean you have to blindly stand by every decision made by the organization. If you still support the team and hope everything works out for the best and cheer for them on sundays, I believe that still makes you a fan.
My good friends know that I bleed orange and blue. They would ask me how I felt about the cutler trade or the McDaniels hiring. I’d tell them “well, I’m a little concerned.” etc. but they wouldn’t dare to call me a fair weather fan.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
by kentuckybronco on Oct 26, 2009 5:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
EXACTLY
how I feel.
We should teach Moreno the Mississippi Mud Walk.
by puddletown on Oct 26, 2009 11:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Never Ever
Though several friends of mine that are dolts/faders fans asked after last season if I was going to give up on them. I told them no F-ing way! I would have expected it from the dolts fan, but I’ve known him long enough that he’s not a fair weather fan and the faders fan was done with them until they beat the Iggles last week. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him today about the Jets game ;-)
There is one woman that I work with that says she has been a Broncos fan for 20 years, but gave up on them in the offseason! There was nothing that was going to convince her that Bowlen hadn’t screwed up in firing Shanny and bringing in McD. I haven’t seen her lately to see if she has come around (though her husband is wearing his Broncos badge lanyard again, so it looks like he’s figured it out).
"It's all over Fat Man" - Tom Jackson to John Madden 1977 AFC Championship Game
by DesertBroncoFan on Oct 26, 2009 5:14 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Nobody has done this to me yet...
so I’m pretty lucky, in that regard. Of course, my sweatshirt has a picture of the 1998 SB Broncos on it…
BTW, My Thermo prof was insane, which made the class extra hard. He’d blather on during lectures about the coordinated movement of flocks of birds, and then give a nasty weekly quiz…straight from the textbook, (which he never referenced during lectures).
Good luck with all those steam tables!
Cheers!
-OKD
"See if you can guess what I am now?" - John "Bluto" Blutarsky
by OrangeKnuckleDragger on Oct 26, 2009 5:17 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
This sounds like one of Coach McD's Game Plans
“coordinated movement of flocks of birds”
by topnation on Oct 26, 2009 5:29 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mine was cake
got a 98 in that class. Hurt me when i took the FE but passed anyway.
I always call people out on being Fairweather fans, however, i KNOW them. I assume many other people are though.
I think people are just haters deep down.
by _Atwater27 on Oct 26, 2009 5:30 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
We call our professor Baloo, like from the Jungle Book.
He is from India and nobody can understand him, which is why I was thoroughly reading my book in the first place. Steam Tables are the death of me. haha
Thanks OKD.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
by kentuckybronco on Oct 26, 2009 5:32 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
We called our's 'Rocket Reed.'
He had tenure. Everyone tried to avoid him, because he usually failed about a third of each class.
I escaped with a “C.” Never more proud of a “C” in my life.
He was a complete bastard. He’s dead now, so I guess I shouldn’t say that…
"See if you can guess what I am now?" - John "Bluto" Blutarsky
by OrangeKnuckleDragger on Oct 26, 2009 5:40 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, I'm shooting for a C in there, as well.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
by kentuckybronco on Oct 26, 2009 6:25 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most people
Here in philly wonder why i dont like the home town
team the eagles . I never did ! i am a life long broncos
fan And my closest freinds and family know that i lived
and died broncos through all those 1980 "s SB years
untill we finally won 2 … so its easy now that people
know how deeply rooted my fandome goes .
Like you i wear all the clothes hats ..etc.. So now a days
when i have an encounter with a stranger I just explain
what i said above .
by broncosfaninphilly on Oct 26, 2009 5:41 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Amen. The only thing I like from Philly is Brian Dawkins.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
by kentuckybronco on Oct 26, 2009 6:26 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I get ask pretty much all the time
Mainly because my family is all Raider Fans and I live in Raider/49er country……But truth be told about 60% of people around here are Raider/49er fans the other 40% are either fans of another team in the NFL…..
I just tell them the story of how i became one when i was 4 years young and they simply shut up and walk away……
The End
Mile High Salute
by TommyTSlice on Oct 26, 2009 6:25 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I have never been called out on my fanhood,
however I voted “It doesn’t matter” because I honestly don’t care if someone else doesn’t believe me when I say I am a diehard Broncos fan. If a person doesn’t believe me and starts to give me crap then it probably means they aren’t a fan of any team and just like to start trouble.
I live in SD so I get asked a lot about why I am not a Charger fan. I tell them the I was an Elway fan and the Broncos just grew on me. After that they usually just leave it at that. Looking at all the Charger jerseys people wear, I for the life of me can’t even imagine wearing anything other than a Bronco jersey. I was just meant to bleed Orange and Blue.
2009 NBA Champions L.A Lakers
2009 NBA Finals MVP Kobe Bryant
by weazel on Oct 26, 2009 7:22 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I voted lots because I am vocal and opinionated.
As such I am forced to defend unpopular stances especially regarding sports and take the ridicule of ignorant fans who don’t do the in depth analysis to justify their bias. I accept that I have a bias, but at least it’s based on some assessment of objective data. Recently, one of my friends commented that I was more frequently proved right when everyone thought I was a lunatic. Sweet!
Imagination is more important than knowledge. A. Einstein
by Ponderosa on Oct 26, 2009 8:22 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I know this is about being called out, but
Everyone can be any type of fan they want to be.
I don’t know why people care what type of fan other people are. Does it make them feel better about themselves?
Everyone has different priorities in life and some choose to elevate their fandom of their football team really high. Others treat it like a casual enjoyment which is more enjoyable when the team is winning which I can understand too.
Who cares? If you’re supporting the Broncos, you’re alright by me…
Imagine how many encounters like yours there will be when Detroit finally starts winning!
"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."
"It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes" Douglas Adams
by orange&blue_aussie on Oct 26, 2009 8:41 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think it's as much about being called out as it is wondering why a person would assume someone is fair weathered based on how the team is doing.
It seems odd that if a team is doing well and someone shows favoritism toward that team, they are labeled a fair weather fan until proved otherwise. Can’t we just assume that people are just fans until proved otherwise?
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
by kentuckybronco on Oct 26, 2009 9:01 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I understand
I meant my header to be a disclaimer on going slightly off topic but took the opportunity to say what I thought about the so-called fair-weather fan.
Personally, I don’t think fandom should be classified let alone called out. I think the label of a fair weather fan is a sign of superiority complex. If someone’s a movie buff, does that mean they have the right to say other people in the cinema are only there “because it got good reviews. You aint no movie fan!!” It’s inane.
That guy should have walked past and said something like – “broncos – right on” or something.
You want a called out fairweather fan story (it aint a bronco one, coz, well I’m Australian) … try this – growing up with my step-dad, I used to go see the Manly Sea-Eagles Rugby league team play every week. We had season tickets. I was a crzy fan. When I was 17, they divorced and I still went most weekends but was getting older and a bit more busy on my weekends. Anyway, 4 years later, I’m living in a different STATE and I come home for a visit. I go visit my old step-dad. I say something about how the Eag’s are going and HE CALLS ME not a real fan!! I was shocked because I still can name most of the teams from the 80s and 90s and I live 5000km away! Anyway, just goes to show that you can get called out ANYONE, ANYTIME ;)
"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind- bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."
"It is a mistake to think you can solve any major problems just with potatoes" Douglas Adams
by orange&blue_aussie on Oct 26, 2009 9:37 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
As to why a person would assume
someone is a fair-weather fan…. in psych there is the concept of projecting ones belief system and motivations onto those around them. Makes sense to me for this type of scenario.. they themselves felt the pull of fair weather fandom and are hoping for company in their guilt. Otherwise, why even bring it up?
by idahobronc on Oct 26, 2009 11:43 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
How about this?
I have a 2 year old dog. His name is “Cutler”. I was asked by everyone I know whether I was going to change his name. After the trade, NOBODY ever questioned whether I would become a Bear’s fan. I’ve been a Broncos fan for 23 years, and nothings changing that. As for my dog, he’s still Cutler.
by Broncoholic_07 on Oct 26, 2009 9:05 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
That's a tough call.
If Taylor Swift were to try and tackle me, I'd let her.
by kentuckybronco on Oct 26, 2009 9:21 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good name for a dog = cutler
I like it
by papasteven on Oct 27, 2009 8:18 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good post
I have this friend that I’ve known forever. She has been a Green Bay Packer fan for as long as I’ve known her. When Favre retired, then came back and got traded, she became a Jets fan. Now she’s a Vikings fan. I told her the other day that she is a Benedict Arnold. I don’t particularly care who she roots for, and it was all in good fun, but it just bothers me that someone could go from loving one team and all of a sudden become a fan of one of said team’s biggest rivals.
Like I tell her, if John Elway were to ever become a Raider, I would never become a Raiders fan. For me, it’s about the team, not the players. Maybe that’s the coach in me. We love our players and would do anything for them at any time, but if they go to another team, we want to beat them.
I am a Broncos fan.
I believe in the Mile High Magic and bleed Orange and Blue.
I celebrate the Orange Crush, the Drive, and the Mile High Salute.
I create the Thunder, share the Common Dream, and will forever be a proud citizen of Broncos County.
BRONCOS COUNTRY CITIZEN #3729
"I intend to kick your ass today." - Denver Broncos legend Tom Jackson
by wtnelson on Oct 26, 2009 9:22 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
My fandom has been questioned, but not by any fan other than Broncos fans.
That’s the part I absolutely hated about living in Colorado during the past couple years. I was constantly the only guy asking out loud “wtf Shanahan?” and everyone else looked at me like I was stupid. It was pathetic and the few that did challenge me decided to make it a pissing contest. You know those people. The “i’ve been a dedicated fan for 40 years and who are you?” type fans…
Those are the Broncos fans I can’t stand. Just because you’ve been a fan for longer than I have doesn’t make you a better fan. Besides, how can I be a fan before I was even born? I was born in 1987, and apparently that invites older people to commit snide jackassery.
John Clayton is the head Dean at Fail University (known as F.U. in short)
by Joe Medina on Oct 26, 2009 9:49 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
It comes with the territory
I’ve been a Braves fan my whole life. I clearly remember when Dale Murphy was our best player. We sucked for decades. I wore a Braves hat with pride back then and no one said a thing. When they got good during 90’s, suddenly I was a fair weather fan. It’s part of building a dynasty. People want to tear it down. I think it’s great when the fair weather fan stuff gets tossed around, because it means my team is kickin’ butt and people are scared.
by rollinthunder on Oct 26, 2009 10:31 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Dale Murphy was a hell of a ball player.
by bfree2bronc on Oct 27, 2009 12:24 AM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yep
When I was a kid, I wrote a poem about “Dale Murphy and the magical bat tree” lol
by rollinthunder on Oct 28, 2009 12:56 PM MDT up reply actions 0 recs
I voted "It doesn't matter"
I have enough Bronco Ball Caps to go for 2 months without wearing the same one twice(and still growing). I’ve sported the Orange boldly in the midst of raider nation and didn’t care one whit what they or anyone else thought. Like you said, they don’t know you, so why give them the time of day. People will be people, and some will be “Sheeple.”
Character may be manifested in the great moments but it is made in the small ones -- Philip Brooks
by KaptainKirk on Oct 26, 2009 10:32 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I have to tend bar two Mondays from now when we face the Steelers
and the bar will be full of Steeler fans! Heh heh…I can’t wait! 13-3 Baby!!!
by bfree2bronc on Oct 26, 2009 11:44 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I had to vote "never"
Don’t know why, though. Perhaps it something to think about and learn from.
by idahobronc on Oct 26, 2009 11:45 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
I get it a lot in Virginia
Lots of Redskins, Steelers, Cowboys, Eagles fans around here. Ehh. Such is life.
F them!
All you get from drafting the "best player available" is a team full of good football players.
Cotton McKnight: I'm being told that Average Joe's does not have enough players and will be forfeiting the championship match.
Pepper Brooks: It's a bold strategy, Cotton. Let's see if it pays off for 'em.
by orangeblood on Oct 27, 2009 5:47 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
The guy was probably a Steelers fan
Every team has fair weather fans. Whenever a team is not doing too well, tickets are almost impossible to sell on ebay. When they are winning, people want to see them. I don’t quite know why people are so negative about fans who get enthused when things get good. It is more watchable and enjoyable. I don’t walk around questioning people’s “fanhood” even though I have routed for the Broncos through two Super Bowl wins as well as three mediocre seasons. People have a right to get more excited. I am more excited than I was last year even though I was a hardcore fan rain or shine last season.
Check out broncosculture.com for articles, analysis, and opinions related to the Denver Broncos.
by broncosculture on Oct 27, 2009 11:39 AM MDT reply actions 0 recs
Funny you should mention that...
I live in shouthwestern Oklahoma, less than an hour from the Texas border… A week before we beat the Cowboys, all I heard was “you must be a real fan to wear that Broncos hat when they are about to get beat by Dallas” The week AFTER we bear the Cowboys all I heard was " Became a Broncos fan now that they beat a real team, huh?" I do exactly what you did…I just say “Yep”
by Broncoferg on Oct 28, 2009 1:34 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
After the 2 SB wins, I got a lot of flak.
Random d-bags at the sports bars called me a bandwagoner. Didn’t care too much b/c it felt so good to see the Broncos win after getting tormented as a Broncos fan kid in the 80’s losing those SBs. I was living in NJ when we lost to the Giants. Worst Monday ever.
by SinDonor on Oct 28, 2009 2:19 PM MDT reply actions 0 recs
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