In this thread, we decode gilesfan's rules for being a true fan of a sports team.

[The Chosen One]

I don't want the REAL FOOTBALL thread to continue going off-topic, so I am moving the discussion here. So far here's what we know:

----------------


Let's Get Up Close first... and THEN Personal



[*=1]Watching them on TV doesn't count; Even if it means you've shelled out extra money and bought the NFL Sunday Ticket, MLB Extra Innings, NBA League Pass, etc. just to follow them if they're on the other side of the country.
[*=1]You have to have attended games, particularly home games more than just your weekend trip in the summer. [1]
[*=1]Thou not allowed to start following a team on a permanent basis just because you enjoyed the fact they were a good team. Even if it means 5-10 years later you still enjoy them. (Also defined as: "If you like your team, you can't keep your team") [2]






The Theory of Relatives



[*=1]If you were a young child and your father was a fan of the team and he forced you to watch it and that's all you know, you're not a real fan even if it means 15-20 years later you're still following the team whether they've sucked or not. [3] [5]
[*=1]You are NOT a true fan of a team, if you do not compare to 3 generations worth of Boston Red Sox fans. [4]
[*=1]If your grandpa or father was a fan of the team and you didn't follow sports before but you follow them now as tribute to them, whether or not if that team is currently a successful winning team or bottom of the barrel losing team, you're still not a real fan because it was not genuine inspiration.






The Individual Mandate



[*=1]​If you root for an individual sport player (tennis, boxing, golf) and they just happen to be one of the best at their sport because winning is what gets them shown on TV the most by default, you're just a bandwagoner.
[*=1]If you are a fan of Roger Federer, the chances are extremely likely you love Tiger Woods, Jimmie Johnson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., or Joey Chestnut in addition. Because we all know, that if you love one dominant player in an individual sport, it automatically carrys over to every other individual sport. [6]
[*=1]You must root for your countryman, even if they're terrible and get dominated by a player from another country. If you like the foreign player, you are just a bandwagoner and loves the front-runner/winners.
[*=1]If you have no specific allegiance to a particular team in a given sport, but happen to follow and appreciate a great player (Michael Jordan, Peyton Manning, Barry Bonds, Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady, etc) you are not a fan of the team nor the player, you are just a bandwagoner who loves the front-runner.





Notes:
1.
BC I go to a lot of games. What use is rooting for a team 4000 miles away just bc they are good? I don't have respect for people that just root for random winners.
2.
You don't understand how stupid it is to just root for the best team, no matter where they are located? And you guys are over 12 years old, not kids.
3.
Maybe when you grow up some you will understand it more. How can you actually get excited about your team winning when you have no allegiance to them?
4.
5 years? Lol. What about 3 generations of fans supporting a team. Thats real support and rooting for teams 3k miles away isnt the same.

You think ur as good of a fan as someone in Boston that has 3 generations of fans living and dying with team?
5.
Bc my fandom is real and not just some phony let me pick who is good to root for.

Hmm, let me be a Lakers fan even tho I've never been to a game, never been to LA, and have no ties to the place. But, hey I can brag to my friends that I'm a lakers fan!
6. KeithLockhart: I have rooted for Federer for 9 years because he's the greatest player I've ever seen. I go out of my way to watch his matches.

Yeah, root for the best! Big Tiger Woods fan too?


This thread will constantly be updated as we reveal more.

[sturg33]

I nominate this for post of the year

[gilesfan]

The individual mandate were very accurate

[jgriff3029]

I have a question about the individual mandate. I tend to root for Russian Female tennis players. Is this allowed. Not sure since a lot of times they aren't any good (see Kournikova, Anna). Does this make me a bandwagon jumper or just a pervert?

[gilesfan]

Bandwagon.

[The Chosen One]

I just find it amazing of how you've deduced this.

I didn't care for tennis much at all until I watched Federer play, much like many people who didn't care for basketball much until they watched Magic, Jordan, or LeBron play. Federer plays the game unlike any other player there's ever been in professional tennis. He also has the most beautiful game/most effortless looking game that any commentator or historian will tell you. There's a reason he has a huge fan base. On top of shattering records in tennis that probably won't be broken again:

Just a few:
10 consecutive Grand Slam Finals, previous record was 4. That's 2.5 years vs. 1 year.
23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals , previous record was 10. That's 5.75 years vs. 2.5 years.
36 consecutive Grand Slam Quarterfinals, previous record was 27. That's 9 years vs. 6 years.
#1 player for 302 weeks, previous was 286 weeks.
First and only player ever to be ranked #1 for 200 consecutive weeks.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_career_achievements_by_Roger_Federer

I started following Federer in 2005, when at that time he had only won 5 grand slams. He has 17 now, so I've seen 2/3 of his grand slam victory matches in their entirety. I have every notable match he's ever played in whether grand slam or second tier tournament win or lose, on my backup harddrive.

I've been following him for 8 years now. He won his first Major 10 years ago. If this makes me a bandwagon fan, then so be it. If tickets to his matches weren't so expensive on top of having to pay to travel to New York, Miami, Cincinnati or Los Angeles to watch him play, I'd do it in a heartbeat.

And for the record: 1) I don't care about Tiger Woods. Much like I don't really care about golf. 2) I don't like Nascar, because I don't like Nascar. 3) I don't like Mayweather because I like Pacquiao instead. Seeing as how my parents are both from the Philippines, which means I'm of Filipino heritage despite being born in America, I like rooting for him. Whether or not this qualifies on the gilesfan rules of bandwagoning I have no clue.

[jgriff3029]

After thinking about it. i can see Giles's point, if it was 1950. If I had no way to follow the Braves on radio or TV, I would agree with a lot of his points. But thank goodness I live in a time with cable, satellite, and internet. If it wasn't for satellite dishes, I might not of got to watch Rafael Ramirez, Gearld Perry, and Murph. They might have sucked, but they were my favorite time.

[ESP47]

Giles, I don't want to be a Giants or A's fan cos I don't liek them but I still want to be a real fan and have you liek me. What do I do?

[Runnin]

If you're dumb enough, and I guess I am, to get emotionally invested in the performance of a professional sports team, being called stupid for the way you care about your team, including which team you care about, seems a little redundant.

We're sports fans and we're stupid. The degree of stupidity is meaningless.

[CyYoung31]

Bc my fandom is real and not just some phony let me pick who is good to root for.

Then how does he explain his love for the Nats?

[zitothebrave]

And he's still not backing out. The lulz.

I think we need to address the real issue. Why did Giles fan route for the Braves and not the Orioles. I really want get into this issue because I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering how someone from Virginia doesn't root for the team that's closest to him.

[ChapelHillMatt]

And he's still not backing out. The lulz.

I think we need to address the real issue. Why did Giles fan route for the Braves and not the Orioles. I really want get into this issue because I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering how someone from Virginia doesn't root for the team that's closest to him.

TBS

I live in North Carolina and I chose the Braves over the Orioles. I'm as close to Baltimore as I am Atlanta. In football I chose the Skins and have remained a Skins fan after we got a team.

Why does there have to be rules in place for a person's fanhood? Can't you just cheer for whoever you want?

[thethe]

TBS

I live in North Carolina and I chose the Braves over the Orioles. I'm as close to Baltimore as I am Atlanta. In football I chose the Skins and have remained a Skins fan after we got a team.

Why does there have to be rules in place for a person's fanhood? Can't you just cheer for whoever you want?

Nope, GF is superior to us in terms of fandom. He gets to set the rules.

[gilesfan]

And he's still not backing out. The lulz.

I think we need to address the real issue. Why did Giles fan route for the Braves and not the Orioles. I really want get into this issue because I'm sure I'm not the only one wondering how someone from Virginia doesn't root for the team that's closest to him.

Baltimore and Atlanta were pretty equal in distance away. Went to Atlanta games

[gilesfan]

Sure u can cheer for whoever you want. Arbitrarily picking a team means you dont have the attachment that someone with real toes to the team has.

[gilesfan]

Nope, GF is superior to us in terms of fandom. He gets to set the rules.

49ers, Braves, Thunder. The lolz! No rhyme or reason for your fanhood.

You should take up Bama football too.

[thethe]

49ers, Braves, Thunder. The lolz! No rhyme or reason for your fanhood.

You should take up Bama football too.

Well it was originally the Supersonics and I explained that when I was a kid I was rooting for all the teams that were doing well. That was my reason. Your reason was that you lived close to the team. Why is one better than the other?

[thethe]

Sure u can cheer for whoever you want. Arbitrarily picking a team means you dont have the attachment that someone with real toes to the team has.

What attachment do you really have if they play close to you?

[ChapelHillMatt]

Attachment? Nobody has an attachment unless you are talking about college and that's only if you went to the school.

I'm more attached to the Redskins than I would ever be to the Panthers.

[thethe]

Attachment? Nobody has an attachment unless you are talking about college and that's only if you went to the school.

I'm more attached to the Redskins than I would ever be to the Panthers.

Exactly. A professional sports team is not a representation of the city they play in. First off, the majority of the players will have been born and raised in places outside of the state. Heck, in a lot of situations the owner of the franchise is from a different location. There is just no rhyme or reason to state that you have an attachment to a team because you live close to them.

[gilesfan]

Exactly. A professional sports team is not a representation of the city they play in. First off, the majority of the players will have been born and raised in places outside of the state. Heck, in a lot of situations the owner of the franchise is from a different location. There is just no rhyme or reason to state that you have an attachment to a team because you live close to them.

Attachment to the team, not the players. The team is a representative of your city.

The reason the professional stadium experience has goneto crap is fans like yall that root for winners 2k miles away instead of home team.

[gilesfan]

I think 90% of you guys even root for colleges you didnt attend. Tenn, UNC, louisville, Duke, UGA.

[thethe]

Attachment to the team, not the players. The team is a representative of your city.

The reason the professional stadium experience has goneto crap is fans like yall that root for winners 2k miles away instead of home team.

How is the team representative of the city though? What characteristics of a city are transferred to a team?

The reason the professional stadium experience has gone to crap is because of technology available in the home. That is the only reason and no other.

[gilesfan]

How is the team representative of the city though? What characteristics of a city are transferred to a team?

The reason the professional stadium experience has gone to crap is because of technology available in the home. That is the only reason and no other.

There is nothing to compare to watchig games in person. But hey root for a team u will never see

[thethe]

There is nothing to compare to watchig games in person. But hey root for a team u will never see

Way to avoid the questions.

I get to see the team every single game and I get to see the action more up close and with better angles. Why would I want to go to games?

[gilesfan]

Way to avoid the questions.

I get to see the team every single game and I get to see the action more up close and with better angles. Why would I want to go to games?

Being in person. Supporting the team financially. Great experience. I rewatch when i get home if i need better angles tho with my seats its really not a concern.

[thethe]

Being in person. Supporting the team financially. Great experience. I rewatch when i get home if i need better angles tho with my seats its really not a concern.

I support the team by the tv packages I buy and the apparel I purchase. Stadium revenue is one piece of the pie.

Again:

How is the team representative of the city though? What characteristics of a city are transferred to a team?

[The Chosen One]

Being in person. Supporting the team financially. Great experience. I rewatch when i get home if i need better angles tho with my seats its really not a concern.

How much do your season tickets behind homeplate at Nationals Park cost?

[gilesfan]

I support the team by the tv packages I buy and the apparel I purchase. Stadium revenue is one piece of the pie.

Again:

How is the team representative of the city though? What characteristics of a city are transferred to a team?

So your nba package purchase goes directly to OKC?

[The Chosen One]

So your nba package purchase goes directly to OKC?

Would buying tickets for a Braves' road game in Washington D.C. go directly to the Braves?

[thethe]

So your nba package purchase goes directly to OKC?

Again, way to avoid the questions. Very skilled.

No but a portion of it goes there. Plus my viewing increases the advertising revenue that can be generated. There are many pieces to the total revenue pie. I contribute and I'm sure my contributions are appreciated by ownership.

[gilesfan]

Im sure ownership appreciates as much as the people thay biy tickets to game. Without fans in attendence the team will die.

[thethe]

I'm not the one trying to minimize what the fans contribute going to the games. You are the one saying fans like me are basically freeloaders who don't contribute anything.

Are you going to answer my questions?

[zitothebrave]

I think 90% of you guys even root for colleges you didnt attend. Tenn, UNC, louisville, Duke, UGA.

I don't root for any college. I semi root for Rutgers since theyre Jerseys d1 representative and if there is one thing I am, its a fan of Jersey

[gilesfan]

How much do your season tickets behind homeplate at Nationals Park cost?

I supported the Braes triple A team for several years until they moved out. Have probably been to more braves games than 75% of people here dispite not living in ATL

[gilesfan]

I don't root for any college. I semi root for Rutgers since theyre Jerseys d1 representative and if there is one thing I am, its a fan of Jersey

BRule roots for Louisville (basketball). He probably doesnt even know where the campus is.

[thethe]

BRule roots for Louisville (basketball). He probably doesnt even know where the campus is.

Why is that relevant?

[gilesfan]

Why is that relevant?

Seriously, are you joking?

[thethe]

No, I'm not. People like teams for a variety of reasons. Not knowing where the location is of where the teams play their games is absolutely insignificant when evaluating what level of fandom someone has.

I'm sure BRule knows more about Louiville basketball than half of hte people that go to the school and show up for games. ****, most people that go to college sporting events are going to their to party, get drunk, and get laid. The last thing they are thinking about is how much they care about the actual team.

[gilesfan]

No, I'm not. People like teams for a variety of reasons. Not knowing where the location is of where the teams play their games is absolutely insignificant when evaluating what level of fandom someone has.

I'm sure BRule knows more about Louiville basketball than half of hte people that go to the school and show up for games. ****, most people that go to college sporting events are going to their to party, get drunk, and get laid. The last thing they are thinking about is how much they care about the actual team.

At least they are supporting the team though. He didnt even go to college there.

What high schools yall root for?

[thethe]

So your rule is now that you are a better fan if you spend more money on the team?

[zitothebrave]

Gilesfan is just a few tweaks to up the racism from replacing tomahawk74 as board clown.

[ChapelHillMatt]

I think 90% of you guys even root for colleges you didnt attend. Tenn, UNC, louisville, Duke, UGA.

I didn't go to college so you would be right as far as I'm concerned. I don't think it's a requirement however. My only point was when you talk about fans having a legitimate attachment that would be the one case where you would have a valid point. Cheering for the home team doesn't give you any special attachment, all it does is give you easier access to the games. This might be one of the worst arguments I've ever seen you make.

[jgriff3029]

So I have a question. I live 250 miles north of the nearest professional teams (Oakland and SF) and about the same from any D1 colleges. Does this mean it is impossible for me to be a "true fan" of any team?

[ChapelHillMatt]

So I have a question. I live 250 miles north of the nearest professional teams (Oakland and SF) and about the same from any D1 colleges. Does this mean it is impossible for me to be a "true fan" of any team?

Sounds like it, your best bet is to move so you can be a real fan.

[Tapate50]

I need this answered... If Giles fan is such a definition of a fan, was he a bigger fan of Marcus in San Diego (and a fan of the Padres) or the Braves in a post Giles era ?

What say ye fandom?

[gilesfan]

So I have a question. I live 250 miles north of the nearest professional teams (Oakland and SF) and about the same from any D1 colleges. Does this mean it is impossible for me to be a "true fan" of any team?

No, u can be a fan of either.

And Braves post Giles.

[Tapate50]

No, u can be a fan of either.

And Braves post Giles.
So your namesake is a farce. I say change it to UgglaFan or you aren't a true fan at all.

Challenge extended.

[sturg33]

So I grew up rooting for UVA because my dad and my brother went there… I didn't go there. I went to JMU, who has a D1 AA team. I root for JMU to win like hell, but I'm still a fan of UVA bc it's from my childhood. Plus JMU never plays any good teams so it's kind of boring.

Is that allowed?

[Tapate50]

So I grew up rooting for UVA because my dad and my brother went there… I didn't go there. I went to JMU, who has a D1 AA team. I root for JMU to win like hell, but I'm still a fan of UVA bc it's from my childhood. Plus JMU never plays any good teams so it's kind of boring.

Is that allowed?

Rumors have been swirling jmu is an option for the sunbelt but they just can't commit to a move up.

[BRule]

BRule roots for Louisville (basketball). He probably doesnt even know where the campus is.

All of the LULZ......I don't know where Louisville is? Good one, BRUH.

I've already stated why I root for them, If you can't understand that....I don't care. Oh, and I've been to 3 Louisville games, way more if you count games not in Kentucky.

[gilesfan]

Rumors have been swirling jmu is an option for the sunbelt but they just can't commit to a move up.

The fans want it. Admin doesnt tho. And they cant even win in the CAA. Lol

[The Chosen One]

So gilesfan, what are the rules for this upcoming BCS Championship game?

Can a fan of another SEC team root for a fellow SEC team, or do they have to root against AU because their team would normally be a rival to AU?

Are we allowed to root for FSU just because we'd like to root against AU, and vice versa?

[CK86]

My mother sells insurance and her client is Duke University. I have been given apparel since I was 2. I have been to several games, home and away. Am I allowed to be a fan?

I lived in the Bay Area but was unable to go to a game due to the NBA lockout. Am I allowed to root for the Golden State Warriors?

I have no ties to Houston. I didn't have a team that I rooted for in the NFL so I picked them when they were announced as an expansion team. Am I allowed to root for them since I've been a fan of theirs since the franchise was created?

[The Chosen One]

My mother sells insurance and her client is Duke University. I have been given apparel since I was 2. I have been to several games, home and away. Am I allowed to be a fan?

I lived in the Bay Area but was unable to go to a game due to the NBA lockout. Am I allowed to root for the Golden State Warriors?

I have no ties to Houston. I didn't have a team that I rooted for in the NFL so I picked them when they were announced as an expansion team. Am I allowed to root for them since I've been a fan of theirs since the franchise was created?

:popcorn:

[Bdawg2309]

So gilesfan, what are the rules for this upcoming BCS Championship game?

Can a fan of another SEC team root for a fellow SEC team, or do they have to root against AU because their team would normally be a rival to AU?

Are we allowed to root for FSU just because we'd like to root against AU, and vice versa?

it would be stupid
like rooting for the phillies/nats/mets/marlins
or saints fans rooting for falcons & vice versa

[Krgrecw]

You would think it would be stupid. Here in Cola, SC every gamecock fan I know will root for every SEC team as long as they aren't playing the gamecocks. You'd be amazed how many 'we have won so many national championships' I hear. As if Alabama and auburn fans say 'we won the NCAA baseball chsmpionship'

[50PoundHead]

So your namesake is a farce. I say change it to UgglaFan or you aren't a true fan at all.

Challenge extended.

Challenge? That's a life sentence!

Here's my story and I am sticking to it. My primary foci of sports admiration are the Atlanta Braves, Green Bay Packers, and the Minnesota Gophers. Why? I am 60 years old and those three teams were the first teams I cheered for (the Braves were in Milwaukee and on the local radio stations). The Vikings and Twins arrived in Minnesota in 1961, but my loyalties were already solidified. Those loyalties became further hardened as my quisling older brother switched his loyalties to the incoming teams and heated indoor arguments and backyard mayhem commenced regarding the comparative virtues of Hank Aaron as opposed to Harmon Killebrew and Bart Starr in comparison to Fran Tarkenton. We somehow put our differences aside to cheer for the Gophers. I briefly toyed with the idea of switching football allegiances to the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the Devaney/Osborne-led glory years, but I couldn't pull the trigger.

Having been a fan of these franchises through some pretty sorry periods that seemed like eons (in the case of the Minnesota Gophers, it is an eon), I have had my opportunity to bolt, but simply cannot do it. It's just how I'm wired.

[Yogi44]

So let me see if I have this straight. I live in NC. I have been watching the Braves since 70's, assuming they were on the Sat game of the week (most my age know that was almost never). Otherwise, I'd use a transistor radio or go sit in the car and try to pick up the nearest feed. When we finally got cable, and TBS carried the Braves, I continued and was thrilled. In the 80's I was able to finally get some games in at Fulton Co Stadium. Never went more than once a year, but about 6 of the 10 years during the 80's. (0's meant I was rasing twins, so trips were few and far between. Went twice during the 90's and took my son in 2000. Until Chipper's retirement ceremoney my wife and I had not been back. Life meant making choices and money was better spent on kids, house, etc. I have had MLB Extra Innings as long as I have had DirectTV (1998), not a cheap cost. I also got XM radio for the feeds as well, but once the Sirus merger, let that go. I do pay for the MLB Audio package each year now.

So because I have liked and rooted for the Braves since 1970, I'm now not a real fan because my numbers of games attended is not up to gilesfan snuff? I guess because I have been a Tampa Bay Bucs fans since their inception in '76 (0-26 to start the franchise and I'm still a fan), but only attended one game (vs. Panthers at Charlotte), I'm not allowed to be considered a real fan of that team as well?

I've seen some stupid, idiotic posts on the many boards this group has endured over the years, but this one has to top them all!!

[Tapate50]

Braves fan, Falcons fan, grew up UGA fan before I went to Georgia Southern, then dusted the dawgs. I don't follow an NBA team except to check the Hawks box score. I believe I conform to the rules of being a Gile's FAN. Oh, and I live (have always lived) in GA.

[gilesfan]

So gilesfan, what are the rules for this upcoming BCS Championship game?

Can a fan of another SEC team root for a fellow SEC team, or do they have to root against AU because their team would normally be a rival to AU?

Are we allowed to root for FSU just because we'd like to root against AU, and vice versa?

Rooting for a team in a game is different than claiming to be a fan of a team.

[gilesfan]

My mother sells insurance and her client is Duke University. I have been given apparel since I was 2. I have been to several games, home and away. Am I allowed to be a fan?

I lived in the Bay Area but was unable to go to a game due to the NBA lockout. Am I allowed to root for the Golden State Warriors?

I have no ties to Houston. I didn't have a team that I rooted for in the NFL so I picked them when they were announced as an expansion team. Am I allowed to root for them since I've been a fan of theirs since the franchise was created?

Pretty weak affiliation if you ask me.

[gilesfan]

You would think it would be stupid. Here in Cola, SC every gamecock fan I know will root for every SEC team as long as they aren't playing the gamecocks. You'd be amazed how many 'we have won so many national championships' I hear. As if Alabama and auburn fans say 'we won the NCAA baseball chsmpionship'

I am enjoying Auburn in the National Championship game after all the years of SEC fans ripping on how Oregon plays football. Then Auburn shows up and wins the SEC with a similar style of offense. LOLzzzzz

[gilesfan]

Challenge? That's a life sentence!

Here's my story and I am sticking to it. My primary foci of sports admiration are the Atlanta Braves, Green Bay Packers, and the Minnesota Gophers. Why? I am 60 years old and those three teams were the first teams I cheered for (the Braves were in Milwaukee and on the local radio stations). The Vikings and Twins arrived in Minnesota in 1961, but my loyalties were already solidified. Those loyalties became further hardened as my quisling older brother switched his loyalties to the incoming teams and heated indoor arguments and backyard mayhem commenced regarding the comparative virtues of Hank Aaron as opposed to Harmon Killebrew and Bart Starr in comparison to Fran Tarkenton. We somehow put our differences aside to cheer for the Gophers. I briefly toyed with the idea of switching football allegiances to the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the Devaney/Osborne-led glory years, but I couldn't pull the trigger.

Having been a fan of these franchises through some pretty sorry periods that seemed like eons (in the case of the Minnesota Gophers, it is an eon), I have had my opportunity to bolt, but simply cannot do it. It's just how I'm wired.

There is a real fan if you ask me.

[gilesfan]

So let me see if I have this straight. I live in NC. I have been watching the Braves since 70's, assuming they were on the Sat game of the week (most my age know that was almost never). Otherwise, I'd use a transistor radio or go sit in the car and try to pick up the nearest feed. When we finally got cable, and TBS carried the Braves, I continued and was thrilled. In the 80's I was able to finally get some games in at Fulton Co Stadium. Never went more than once a year, but about 6 of the 10 years during the 80's. (0's meant I was rasing twins, so trips were few and far between. Went twice during the 90's and took my son in 2000. Until Chipper's retirement ceremoney my wife and I had not been back. Life meant making choices and money was better spent on kids, house, etc. I have had MLB Extra Innings as long as I have had DirectTV (1998), not a cheap cost. I also got XM radio for the feeds as well, but once the Sirus merger, let that go. I do pay for the MLB Audio package each year now.

So because I have liked and rooted for the Braves since 1970, I'm now not a real fan because my numbers of games attended is not up to gilesfan snuff? I guess because I have been a Tampa Bay Bucs fans since their inception in '76 (0-26 to start the franchise and I'm still a fan), but only attended one game (vs. Panthers at Charlotte), I'm not allowed to be considered a real fan of that team as well?

I've seen some stupid, idiotic posts on the many boards this group has endured over the years, but this one has to top them all!!

Nope. You are a true fan in my opinion. I am talking about the people like Heyward, BRule, and thethe who just pick and choose who they root for for no good reason. Lets see you have a guy living in NY rooting for the Braves, OKC Thunder, and SF 49ers or the Louisville (basketball)/Braves/Bucs/knicks or the Broncos/Braves/Thunder/UNC combinations.

[gilesfan]

Braves fan, Falcons fan, grew up UGA fan before I went to Georgia Southern, then dusted the dawgs. I don't follow an NBA team except to check the Hawks box score. I believe I conform to the rules of being a Gile's FAN. Oh, and I live (have always lived) in GA.

Tip of the ole cap to you. I mean you could just want to root for winners and choose random teams throughout the country and buy a league pass and call yourself a fan, but you stayed true to your roots. Kudos.

[Heyward]

Nope. You are a true fan in my opinion. I am talking about the people like Heyward, BRule, and thethe who just pick and choose who they root for for no good reason. Lets see you have a guy living in NY rooting for the Braves, OKC Thunder, and SF 49ers or the Louisville (basketball)/Braves/Bucs/knicks or the Broncos/Braves/Thunder/UNC combinations.

Lulz

[CK86]

Pretty weak affiliation if you ask me.

Well that's disappointing. I was hoping I would stack up fairly well. For shame.

[50PoundHead]

Braves fan, Falcons fan, grew up UGA fan before I went to Georgia Southern, then dusted the dawgs. I don't follow an NBA team except to check the Hawks box score. I believe I conform to the rules of being a Gile's FAN. Oh, and I live (have always lived) in GA.

Same here except it's the Timberpups box that I'm checking out. Again, I'm 60 and grew up in the era of Chuck Taylor high tops (Youngsters, imagine trying to play in a pair of those. Playing hoops in those is probably the #1 cause of hip and knee replacements for former athletes in their 60's) and no shot clocks (and somehow the high school team on which I played still managed to lose some game by 40). As much as I appreciate LeBron James' excellence, the modern game of basketball may as well be lacrosse to me. It's an entirely different game.

[jpx7]

Riddle me this, herr direktor gilesfan: I grew up pulling for a (successful, but not the only successful) regional Division I school with respect to collegiate sports; when I matriculated to university, my school (despite boasting the first Heisman Trophy winner, being a founding member of the Big Ten, and at one point employing a head-coach in football who invented or helped invent some of the most basic plays, tactics, and aspects of modern American football (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_Alonzo_Stagg#Innovations_in_football)) competed in the Division III UAA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_Athletic_Association) against the likes of NYU, Brandeis, and Emory, among others. I never attended a single Maroons sporting event while an undergraduate — but I still regularly followed the team I'd grown up following.

What is the authenticity of my "fandom" in regard to collegiate sports?

[bravesnumberone]

Die-hard Braves fan, love UGA. Didn't go there, but my school was a D-2 without football, and grew up with that in my family. Like the Falcons. For a while they were the lovable losers. Then they got good, and still found ways to screw up. For instance, blowing a 17-point lead at home in the NFC championship. I check in here and there with the Hawks, but I honestly just don't care about the NBA. I enjoy watching the great players, but I know the Hawks don't have a shot in hell at winning the way the league is set up now, so why bother?

Only "fans" I have an issue with are the parasites that just jump from team to team. I can scan my social media networks and find plenty of Miami Heat fans who were Laker fans 3 years ago. Root for who you want, but don't get offended when you get called out for jumping ship if something goes bad for the latest flavor of the month.

[The Chosen One]

I was thinking about this the other day and about the opposite...

What happens if you don't like a team because they spend money like the Yankees , and they're not considered a rival to the Braves? Are you a real hater, or just a phony hater.

Also, what happens if you happen to root for the Nationals & Braves? Where does the allegiance go, where you currently live or where you were born and followed as a child growing up?

[Tapate50]

I consider healthy real hate for any team that caused you direct angst to your team. I don't like the Yankees, but I hate the Mets. I don't like the Yankees because of who they are and how they go about business, but I hate the Mets for having David Wright and beating us every now and again. I hate the Phillies for the same reasons.

So... Phillies, Mets get real hate, and Yankees get fake hate.


***Just realized the Yankees took Brian McCann away and made me dislike him. Real hate energized.

[gilesfan]

I was thinking about this the other day and about the opposite...

What happens if you don't like a team because they spend money like the Yankees , and they're not considered a rival to the Braves? Are you a real hater, or just a phony hater.

Also, what happens if you happen to root for the Nationals & Braves? Where does the allegiance go, where you currently live or where you were born and followed as a child growing up?

Phony hater.

Good question. Either answer probably acceptable. Sounds like different situation than someone living in NY and liking the Thunder, 49ers, Braves, and UNC Tar Heels

[The Chosen One]

Phony hater.

Good question. Either answer probably acceptable. Sounds like different situation than someone living in NY and liking the Thunder, 49ers, Braves, and UNC Tar Heels

So how do you in particular decide who to root for when attending a Braves @ Nats game? Braves because they were your first love in baseball, or the Nats because they're your local guys that you root for? Do you put on the A or W cap? Do you have one of those "House Divided" license plates that have rivals on each side split down the middle?

[gilesfan]

So how do you in particular decide who to root for when attending a Braves @ Nats game? Braves because they were your first love in baseball, or the Nats because they're your local guys that you root for? Do you put on the A or W cap?

I have no idea what you are talking about.

[Tapate50]

I have no idea what you are talking about.

He is mocking you.

[gilesfan]

He is mocking you.

oh...thanks dude

[The Chosen One]

I have no idea what you are talking about.

THere's a faction in this community that says your allegiance lay both with the Braves of Atlanta and the Nationals of Washington D.C.

[The Chosen One]

He is mocking you.

Mocking him would suggest there's enough evidence to support Gilesfan roots for the Nats and Braves...

I'm not aware of such evidence at the moment.

[gilesfan]

Hmm. Thats weird.

[thethe]

Someone who switches allegiances after two decades of rooting for a team is in no position to criticize others for their fandom.

[gilesfan]

I think I can agree with that.

[The Chosen One]

Someone who switches allegiances after two decades of rooting for a team is in no position to criticize others for their fandom.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/02/06/article-2274444-1762C0EF000005DC-446_634x421.jpg

[jpx7]

Riddle me this, herr direktor gilesfan: I grew up pulling for a (successful, but not the only successful) regional Division I school with respect to collegiate sports; when I matriculated to university, my school (despite boasting the first Heisman Trophy winner, being a founding member of the Big Ten, and at one point employing a head-coach in football who invented or helped invent some of the most basic plays, tactics, and aspects of modern American football (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amos_Alonzo_Stagg#Innovations_in_football)) competed in the Division III UAA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_Athletic_Association) against the likes of NYU, Brandeis, and Emory, among others. I never attended a single Maroons sporting event while an undergraduate — but I still regularly followed the team I'd grown up following.

What is the authenticity of my "fandom" in regard to collegiate sports?

Meanwhile, I'm still awaiting my personalized fandom-appraisal by giles ...

[gilesfan]

Meanwhile, I'm still awaiting my personalized fandom-appraisal by giles ...

Missed it. I think you are fine rooting for both. Being a regional Division 1 school gives you good reason to root for them. Not like guys like Heyward that never lived anywhere near UNC, but is a UNC basketball fan and who knows what college football fan.

[Tapate50]

Mocking him would suggest there's enough evidence to support Gilesfan roots for the Nats and Braves...

I'm not aware of such evidence at the moment.
I think Giles is more of a baseball fan than a Nats/Braves fan. Thus, a fan of both by default.

[cajunrevenge]

According to these rules I think I am an astros fan :(

[Heyward]

Missed it. I think you are fine rooting for both. Being a regional Division 1 school gives you good reason to root for them. Not like guys like Heyward that never lived anywhere near UNC, but is a UNC basketball fan and who knows what college football fan.

I live 2 hours away from UNC, but ok.

:Sad:

[gilesfan]

I live 2 hours away from UNC, but ok.

:Sad:

So do I

How far do you live from Denver?

[Heyward]

So do I

How far do you live from Denver?

Long ways away.

[The Chosen One]

chop2chip

[chop2chip]

chop2chip
He is certainly one of the brightest minds in the field of true fandom.

[zitothebrave]

Baltimore and Atlanta were pretty equal in distance away. Went to Atlanta games

How did I never catch this post? Didn't you grow up in the Virginia Beach area?