OT: Your NFL Team
As the NFL playoffs draw near I am curious as to what people's team is in the NFL. Since Michigan has a large out of state alum/fan base I figured we'd get a good spread of fans from different pro teams. Feel free to talk trash or share your favorite memories of your team.
January 4th, 2010 at 9:56 AM ^
My mom is from Dallas and my dad is from Philly and I grew up in PA.
So of course I became a Dallas fan. Today is a great day living in Philly after our huge win yesterday!
January 4th, 2010 at 9:59 AM ^
I was born in Pittsburgh, and coincidentally live there now (I grew up in SE Michigan), and I've been a Steelers fan for life.
As far as memories, nothing beats living in Pittsburgh's South Side (the bar district) for the Super Bowl win last year. It was simply mass chaos and awesomeness.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:01 AM ^
Living in Columbus I can't stand the 3 pro teams here in ohio...my grandfather was a huge Boy's fan coming from Little Rock, AR. Hope they don't blow it in the playoffs!
January 4th, 2010 at 10:20 AM ^
I wasn't aware that Ohio has 3 NFL teams. Interesting.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:02 AM ^
He didn't say "NFL", he just said "professional." Occasionally there's a difference.
January 4th, 2010 at 1:48 PM ^
Well in that case, I can think of four professional teams from Ohio off of the top of my head (2 NFL teams, 1 NBA team, 1 NHL team). So "THE 3 pro teams here in ohio" doesn't work if you're talking on a professional level either.
But you're right, it's crazy for me to think he was talking about NFL teams in a thread named "Your NFL Team."
January 4th, 2010 at 2:35 PM ^
Maybe he was including OSU as a pro football team.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:04 AM ^
Pack Go!
January 4th, 2010 at 2:08 PM ^
I just wanna bang on the drum all day!...Packers are seconded...
January 4th, 2010 at 10:05 AM ^
but I'm a bears fan. My family is from Michigan (obviously), and Chicago. As a young boy in the 80s... Lets be honest, which 1 would you have chosen? I didn't see the lions doing a super bowl shuffle.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:03 PM ^
I live in KC now but grew up on Chicago's North Side. Since none of my teams are in it (perhaps we send Cutler to Afghanistan as he could overthrow anything) I am rooting for McNabb (Mt. Carmel kid) or the most Michigan guys to get a ring.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:07 AM ^
My name is Richard and I am a Detroit Lions fan. I was clean growing up but fell of the wagon in 2000. I've been interested again since January 2009. I am proud to say I've been able to watch this year without throwing things or crying in a fetal position.
January 4th, 2010 at 1:59 PM ^
High Richard
January 4th, 2010 at 10:08 AM ^
It is great to be a fan of a program that is not only very successful year after year, but also has players and coaches with integrity. Tony Dungy was not only a great football coach, but an incredible individual who has had a positive influence on many people's lives. Hopefully Jim Caldwell will continue to carry that torch.
I love to watch former UM players like Marlin Jackson, Mike Hart and Terrance Taylor (for a while) have success on such a team as well.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:21 AM ^
live in Florida now, I have always liked the bears, but with Long, Henne, and Stephen Ross I gotta go with the fins. Plus I have lived there for 13years I have watched the fins on tv quite a bit.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:22 AM ^
NY Football Giants
January 4th, 2010 at 10:23 AM ^
Thats right I'm pulling the paper bag off my head, we're Super Bowl bound in 2057.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:24 AM ^
I find the Packers immensely charming now that the Land Baron has departed
January 4th, 2010 at 10:24 AM ^
Ever since I was a kid growing up in Grand Rapids, I've rooted for the Steelers. It has been the only fun sports thing to talk about since I moved to Cleveland three years ago.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:26 AM ^
I'm usually maxed out on football when Sunday comes around so I watch very little NFL football, usually 2 full games a season at best. I guess I'm a Pats fan since they're the locals and Tom Brady is simply dollars. I have no problem rooting for whatever club has the most Mich grads on it in any given game though.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:27 AM ^
the Bungles
January 4th, 2010 at 10:31 AM ^
I am just as proud of an Oakland Raiders fan as I am a Wolverines fan (go ahead and laugh). These last few years have been rough but I stick with them both through thick and thin. I can say say that I honestly believe though that the Raiders will not make the postseason again as long as Al Davis is in charge. It was torture watching Tom Brady against them in the tuck rule game. I was torn right down the middle.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:34 AM ^
My favorite team is the Lions.
My second favorite team is the Raiders (second best uniforms, next to Michigans).
Coincidentally, my two favorite teams are the two worst run franchises this past decade, so I'm gladly welcoming 2010. But I will never give up on the Lions, I think Schwartz is a good coach and he is turning us around.
Since neither of those teams sniff the playoffs, I root for Pittsburgh during the postseason (not this one I guess). We live in Michigan, but my dad had family in Pennsylvania so he's been a Steelers fan ever since he was a kid. I like them well enough to root for them when they're not playing the Lions or the Raiders.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:29 AM ^
I also like the Lions and Raiders, although skeletor is causing my interest in the Raiders to wane. Two old ass owners who IMO are too involved in personnel decisions.
January 4th, 2010 at 7:31 PM ^
I am also a Raiders fan, i was a Browns fan when i was young but i kind of lost interest in the NFL when the team moved to Baltimore. Then when Woodson was drafted by the Raiders i just followed him out to Oakland.
I just hop Davis listens to the players and keeps Cable, the players respect him and want him back.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:34 AM ^
NYG
2009 was not kind to me
January 4th, 2010 at 2:44 PM ^
Giants fan as well, and same here. It got pretty ugly.
One particular Sunday I was walking down South U minding my own business wearing a #10 jersey (and no, not one of the stupid girl size ones) and someone actually pulled over, rolled down their window and informed me and the rest of the street that Eli Manning sucks and I am a whore.
But at least he didn't throw in 'and your father smells of elderberries.'
January 4th, 2010 at 10:35 AM ^
As my friends and I were just discussing this topic the other night.
How did you become a fan of another city's team when the city/state you live in has a team or teams?
I'm not trying to call anyone out, I am just curious.
For example, I grew up in Metro Detroit and cheer for the Lions no matter who they play, even though I live in Downtown Chicago and do hope that the Bears have good seasons each year- just not at the Lions expense like yesterday.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:42 AM ^
I live In Louisville Ky and we have no pro sports teams whatsoever. I grew up liking the Raiders and never changed. It wouldn't feel right turning my back on them just because another team is closer or does better.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:55 AM ^
I live in the greater Boston area where there are some very passionate sports fans for their pro teams, much like Detroit, which is great for someone like me who enjoys watching any sports. To start, if you're moving blind to a brand new area of the country rooting for a local team can open up attending parties for big games which can help out in meeting some new crew, as I'm sure people coming to Detroit find as the case as well. I also like to talk sports with whoever and about whatever so if I have to know the record and ERA of the staff deep in the Sox rotation so be it.
Growing up in Detroit the Tigers were always on in my house, the Wings were frequently present but the Lions practically didn't exist. Now you'll find me watching the Tigers on MLB.TV despite great local Sox coverage on NESN, catching a few Bruins games on TV and rooting for the Pats as my primary NFL team (though I'm usually maxed out on football after Saturday). So if you ask me it's about adaptation and socialization.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:17 AM ^
For me, it's the influence of my dad. I've lived in Michigan my whole life, so I've always been a Lions fan; however, my dad grew up in Chicago and is still a Bears fan, so I always liked the Bears, too. Of course, this causes a problem twice a year when the teams play each other, so I decided that I'd root for whichever team actually needed the win (for the playoffs). That means I've found myself rooting for the Bears over the Lions a lot over the last few years, but if the Lions are ever in the hunt for a playoff spot again, I won't mind seeing the Bears lose.
In the case of an autopsy like yesterday's, where neither team has a shot at anything...well, I was at the game, and honestly, I never did decide who I wanted to win.
(I'm much less of an NFL fan than I am a college football fan, so my emotional investment is significantly smaller, and my ROI from the Lions is practically nothing at this point. But I do still watch because the Lions are going to have a winning season sooner or later, and I want to enjoy it when it happens. Also, I have great memories of going to Lions games and watching Barry Sanders make fools of otherwise competent defensive players.)
On a related note: yesterday was my first Lions game at Ford Field. Aside from the copious amounts of losing, they put together a pretty good game day experience for the fans.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:39 PM ^
Ford Field is indeed a VERY nice facility. Unfortunately, as you saw first hand, the product on the field can't match that level of quality.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:39 AM ^
What happens if your team relocates?
Do you continue to root for the franchise since it's basically the same players? What if your city gets awarded another franchise, do you root for teams 1a and 1b now?
How'd you like to be from Cleveland and see the team move only to win the Superbowl shortly thereafter? Or the Nordiques doing the same in Colorado?
January 4th, 2010 at 10:36 AM ^
what is this nfl that you speak of? some sort of new college football spinoff league? i will keep my eyes open
January 4th, 2010 at 10:38 AM ^
The team with more Michigan alumni.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:43 AM ^
for me its the ravens as I am from just outside Baltimre.
Water covers two-thirds of the earth, Ed Reed covers the other.
January 4th, 2010 at 10:59 AM ^
Grew up in Chicago but now live in A2, hence the A-Train/Bears avatar. Couldn't bring myself to go with D.Terrell.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:02 AM ^
Green Bay Packers baby! Packer fan since birth
January 4th, 2010 at 11:04 AM ^
The Lions. Feels like a Joan Jett song....I Hate Myself For Loving You......
January 4th, 2010 at 11:09 AM ^
I've lived in LA since I was 22 and I can relate to Saints fans...They have worn paper bags as well...Who Dat!!!!
January 4th, 2010 at 12:25 PM ^
god have i been sick of hearing how 'big of a deal' losing to Carolina was. local news was insufferable. THEY RESTED THEIR STARTERS. THEY AVOIDED THE WELKER INJURY. bdeduefe9uf
Who Dat indeed
January 4th, 2010 at 11:25 AM ^
I was born and raised in PA just outside of Carlisle. Back then the Redskins used to come up to Carlisle for a training camp every summer. Joe Gibbs was the coach and the camp was open and 100% free, including the scrimmage game.
Some of my fondest football memories are from those days. I was at a practice and it started raining like hell. I was sitting there getting soaked while my dad went back to the car for the umbrellas. Darrell Green intercepts a pass right in front of me, jogs over the bleachers and hands me the ball.
This drunk guy grabs the ball from me (I'm 9 years old at the time and not sure what to do) and starts to walk off. I hear this "HEY! I gave the ball to the kid...", look over and Darrell Green is climbing up into the stands. He confronts the guy, grabs the ball back and shoves the guy back out of his face. By this point other players have drifted over and security comes running in and grabs the guy. I have still have the ball, I got it autographed by the entire team and Joe Gibbs. Green remembered me and always said hi to me, which was a big ego boost for a little kid.
Another year I was getting autographs and Brian Mitchell pulled up. Everyone went "Oh some stupid rookie" and ran off to get the autographs from the star players. I went over got, asked Brian Mitchell for his autograph and got it. I was the only person to approach him so he talked and he invited me out on the field to return a kick with me. I fielded it at the 10, bobbled it and then ran it back 90 yards for a TD. I think the kicking team may have laid down for me there. I'm lucky Sean Taylor wasn't on the team, becuase he'd have blown me up. I forget how old I was, like 7 or so for that one.
I'll shut up now.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:30 AM ^
Isn't that where football players go after the fun ends?
January 4th, 2010 at 11:32 AM ^
Just because I couldn't quite give up rooting for Dhani Jones.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:47 AM ^
Born and raised in Michigan, still living here, and watching them every Sunday, painful as it be, kind of grows on you and makes you into a fan.
I've had my moments of wavering and trying to find another team to root for, but the Lions just stuck.
Like a bad relationship, you think you are done after a season of infutility, but you just keep coming back for more, hoping it's better than the last time. But it never is.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:54 AM ^
Grew up cheering for the Lions and the Raiders. First pro game I remember watching was the Raiders-Eagles super bowl.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:55 AM ^
I'm from the surrounding Pittsburgh area and am a Steeler fan, but I am also a fan of Favre and I will cheer for him and his team as much as/if not more than I would for the steelers.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:58 AM ^
...the 49ers, but I'll be rooting for all of our Michigan alum in the playoffs! I want to see our former players on both sides of the field in the Superbowl.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:02 PM ^
Da Bears...
Grew up in Chicagoland... nothing like going to Soldier Field in December or January. Also, as a poster noted above, the Super Bowl Shuffle is the best music video ever.
January 4th, 2010 at 12:02 PM ^
Grew up in Minneapolis, got to love the Purple. I still hate Brett Favre though. My perfect season would end with a Super Bowl win wherein Favre suffers a career-ending injury in a final comeback drive, forcing Tavaris Jackson to step in and throw a touchdown. I might settle for just the career ending injury to Favre, we're pretty accustomed to getting our hearts broken in the playoffs here in Minnesota.