Here is my objective list for top fans in the NFL:
1. Redskins
This lofty ranking might seem a bit biased , but the facts back up the choice. They Redskins have sold out every home game since 1966, second longest streak in the NFL. They have a season ticket waiting list that stretches into the next millennium. Since DC is a transient city, people arrive with their own football allegiances and leave as Redskins fans. There is professional baseball, basketball, hockey and soccer as well as a number of cultural and social distractions, yet somehow, people still find time for the Redskins. Yep, #1 it is.
2. Packers
The Packers are the only team to top Redskins for more consecutive sellouts. They have a diehard fan base that gets passed down through generations. There really isn't too much competition from other sports teams, so Wisconsin natives don't have any excuses why they wouldn't root for the Packers with undying enthusiasm. And yet, the only thing keeping them from the #1 spot is Brett Favre. His popularity the last 15 years inflated the Packers status--people were rooting for Favre, not the Packers.
3. Steelers
Ever since the days of the Iron Curtain defense, the Steelers have been the toast of Western Pennsylvania. The team travels around the country with incredible fanfare and make Steelers road games look like they are being played in Steeltown.
4. Cowboys
I can't think of a bigger bandwagon team then the Cowboys. People may have grown up in another city with an NFL team, yet they have miraculously been Cowboys fans since they won a couple of Super Bowls in the 90's. It's all just too convenient for me and question. Case in point: I was watching the Eagles/Cowboys Monday night football game a few weeks ago. A few Eagles fans were getting into it with Cowboys fan. Both sides were slinging verbal jabs but when an Eagles fan asked if any of the Cowboys fans had ever actually stepped foot in the state of Texas, the Cowboys fans had no response. Bandwagon team.
5. Bears
Surprise pick here at #5, but I think this ranking is justified. They certainly have the history, the players and tradition to justify a top ranking. Extra points for Chicago since even though there is absolute loyalty to the Cubs and Bulls, the Bears are still the team everyone wants to see win a championship.
6. Eagles
The "tortured" fan base in Philly longs for a Super Bowl championship. And yet, I asked a life long Philadelphia sports fan if he would rather see a Phillies World Series or an Eagles Super Bowl, and they immediately responded he would rather have a World Series win. The Eagles do matter in Philly, but there isn't the undying loyalty for this team, unlike top-5 teams.
7. Chiefs
Masters of the tailgate, their fans haven't had success in quite some time. Bonus points for sticking with this woeful team during the Brodie Croyle era.
8. Giants
I'd love to put them higher, but until their Super Bowl run last year, I could have gotten season tickets within a few years. Also, Jets fan siphon off some of their fanbase. Also, I went to a Skins/Giants game last year and the stadium was half empty. Perhaps it was the 8:15 kickoff or the Arctic temperatures, but that would never happen at Lambeau.
9. Bills
This team would be a lock for top-7 status if their fans could pony up a few extra dollars for a new stadium. I can't justify putting them higher when they play some "home" games in Canada.
10. Broncos
The Broncos have sold out their games for a couple of decades, and I think going to a game would be quite fun. They are docked a few points for a having a huge Bronco statue with crazy, demonic red eyes near the airport.
11. Browns
I want to put the Browns in the top-10, I really do. I'm holding them back because their team relocated to Baltimore in 1996. You could blame Art Model for screwing over northeastern Ohio, but you can't blame the fans. Even still, this drops them down a few points.
32. Patriots
This team was ready to move to Hartford 10 years ago, so all the Patriots fan/bandwagon douches can just sit down for a while.
2 comments:
i think the raiders fans need to be somewhere in the top 10. Even though Al Davis, who looks like that really old dude in Star Wars, is a wack job, I think you need to toss some points to the guys that dress-up like demons every sunday. Plus, having lived in Oakland for just over a decade, I can attest to the fact that Raiders colors go a long way out west - and this was when they were in LA!
If Raiders fans are so good, how did they allow their team to relocated to LA? Just because the fans are crazy, doesn't necessarily mean they are top-10 material. I've got them slotted in the top-15.
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