Football

Today's topic is NFL football fandom. After watching a thoroughly satisfying stomp of the Indianapolis Colts my Green Bay Packers, I have been inspired to write this. I should probably say 'our' Green Bay Packers, because, as is widely known, the team is owned, essentially by its fans. Now, I'm not a shareholder, as I reside in Indianapolis and not in Green Bay, but I am from Sheboygan, WI, and the Packers really belong to everyone in Wisconsin, sentimentally anyway.

The Green Bay Packers have the best fans in the NFL. I know, I know, various polls are taken every year that suggest that another team has the best fans and there are fans in every market who claim to be the best in the league, but come on...the Packers haven't had a football game blacked out in decades. I am over 30,000 down on the season ticket waiting list, and will most likely have to bequest my spot to an heir. This means that there is no chance that anyone in the Packers market should ever not be able to see their team on broadcast television. This has been and will be for a very long time. Sure, other teams have waiting lists, but how many teams have years go by where only two season ticket holders drop off...? How many other markets virtually shut down in public on Sunday because of the draw for football viewing? Ok, let's say you have those. How many markets have so many diehard fans that are willing to come hours early, tailgate in the lots, the streets, the neighbor's yards, and then go into a stadium that is comprised of extremely uncomfortable bleacher seating, forcing you to stand, if not only to keep warm because the wind chill lowers the perceived temperature to 20 below zero...? The Green Bay Packers have these things, plus one of the most storied histories in the NFL, which is also due in part to the fans of the Wisconsin northwoods and southern glacial crop. How many other markets can have a team have ten or so consecutive losing seasons and not have half of their fans jump off the bandwagon...? I could go on...but I'd like to go on to something else.

I live in Indianapolis, home to the Colts. I learned while eavesdropping at work this week that there are fans who have complaints over the brand new beautiful facility that is Lucas Oil Stadium. I haven't been in it yet, but accounts are that the seats are small and uncomfortable and there are some partially obstructed views. I can live with people making these complaints, but you also have to look at it this way. You pay for what you get, as in obstructed seating is most likely in less demand and therefore on average cheaper. More importantly, this is your team. You should be standing and raucously cheering on your team anyway. If you don't like the seats because they are too small for a 250+ lb person, get up and stand. It'll be healthier for you anyway. Stand up, stop being lazy, and take advantage of being in attendance at a professional sporting event and cheer for your team. Yell, clap, do something, but don't bitch about how you wanted a chaise lounge for your 80 buck ticket.

Even worse, I heard two new complaints this week that are absolutely idiotic. I have been told that one, when the roof is open, it gets too hot in the sun, and two, the building casts too many shadows on the field. When I heard these things, I had to restrain myself from making a fool of myself in what was a semi-professional setting. WHAT THE FUCK?!?! Football is made to be played outside, not in the comfort of a fucking dome. Now that you don't have a dome anymore, you get a bit of the elements when watching the Colts. Open air stadiums all create shadows eventually, but anything is better than a dome. I lived in Minneapolis, MN for four years and believe me, after attending dozens of sporting events in the Metrodome, there is little to nothing that is better in a dome than outside for the TRUE FAN. If you are going to bitch about creature comforts, shell out for the fucking box seats and give me your Miller High Life, because I would happily take your seats off of your hands for you and then drink your beer too, because you don't deserve either. AND YOU DEFINITELY DO NOT REPRESENT THE BEST FANS IN THE NFL!!

The Packers beat the Colts today and I am thrilled. I am more thrilled because I have a week to rub it in the face of people that don't know what being the 'best' fan takes. I am part of the best fans in the NFL in that I am a Green Bay Packers fan. I however, am not the best fan. I have sat in my seat plenty at sporting events across the company, including the recently attended ALCS game 1 in Tampa, the most disappointing MLB game that I have ever been at. I swear at my favorite teams' players when they screw up and/or act like idiots. I do not however jump on and off of bandwagons, or take opportunities to see my favorite teams for granted. These are two things that I am seeing plenty of Colts fans doing, have seen plenty of Vikings fans do, and will probably see plenty more fans across the country do in the future. So next time, you think that you are among the best fans of any particular sport...I invite you to take a look at the Green Bay Packers, grill a brat, grab a beer, wear ridiculously weighted pieces of colored foam on your head, and think about how lucky you are to be able to root for a team at all.

GO PACK GO!!
GO GOPHERS!!
GO RAYS!!
GO CUBS...
GO TWINS...
GO ALL OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL!!