Just what kind of fan are you??
by Krowley on Oct 16, 2009 4:30 PM PDT
Email
PrintI'm pretty new to Niner Nation, but in the short time I've been here I've read a lot of posts and comments. (here and at other sites) Six weeks into the season, and already we've experienced a strong optimistic start, a heartbreaking, last second loss, an embarrassing blowout victory, and an embarrassing blowout defeat. And now a bye.
I've seen a lot of fans chime in to comment on this tumultuous season. It's interesting to see what kind of fans are out there. Where do you fit in?
Me personally? I'm a:
1- Homer- Although I'm living in central Cali these days, I left my heart in San Francisco (groan). I'm a third generation Niner fan, and my passion for the team was instilled in me at a young age. I sometimes come off unrealistically optimistic, stupidly superstitious, and I feel that the Niners are always one move away from the next dynasty. When times are good, I talk mad trash and deify my favorite players. When times are not so good (never bad) I make ridiculous excuses about cheating opponents, mysteriously unreported injuries, the phase of the moon, etc. I sometimes make very unwise bets with friends. I choose to be a Homer because it's fun. Plain and simple.
My mortal enemy is the:
2- Hater- We've heard alot from these guys lately. They are FortyNiner fans, in that they don't follow any other team, but you don't really hear from them when times are good. It's only after a loss, or a sloppy win, that they come pouring out of the woodwork, throwing blame around, pointing fingers, and screaming for everybody's head. Some of the more idiotic Haters are pretty funny to read actually. " We need to trade Hill for Peyton Manning! Our O Line needs to be killed and their ashes scattered to the four corners of the land! If we don't have a completely new offense by next week, Coach Sing should step down. Willis missed that one tackle, so he should be docked a year's pay...!" Maybe that's an exaggeration, but you know the guys that I'm talking about.
Then, there's the:
3- Football Fan- This guy is usually a Niner fan because he's a Bay Area guy. They're the local team (besides the Raiders, but, seriously...). He probably has a nice jersey for gameday, but there's no real love for the team. He loves the game itself. Football in general. He definitely has the Direct TV Season Ticket, and probably only sees about four or five Niner games a year, 'cause he watching better matchups. He lives for SportsCenter. Dadadum Dadaum!
or his polar opposite, the:
4- Casual Fan- You'll run into this guy on Monday morning, and he'll blow you away with such outrageous questions as', "So, did we win yesterday?" or, "Hey, did you know that the Jets are pretty good this year?" Last week he might have been wondering "Since when does Tony Gonzales play for Atlanta?" The Casual Fan is recognizable by his old ratty Niner's cap and a knockoff K-Mart jersey. He likes people to come over to his house to watch the game, just for the social aspects. This is actually pretty awesome, as he usually has a great TV, knows his way around a snack tray, and has no problem missing half the game while he makes eight beer runs.
Another type of fan is the:
5- Elitist- He's definitely a die hard, and I admire his passion. He's also an insufferable know-it-all, who seems to have convinced himself that he's a football insider. He's a dedicated statistician, and can quote you numbers and trends from memory. He has a strong knowledge of the game, and stays current by researching with a scholar-like dedication. Unfortunately, his strong grasp of facts makes him think that his opinions are the only ones that matter. He can be overly critical of other fan's posts, and comes off as a troll. You can't change his mind on anything that he's decided is gospel, but it's pretty funny when he's wrong. Like I said, I respect his passionate fandom, but he's kind of a dick.
On the other side of the Elitist is the:
6-Parrot- This guy definitely has a higher dedication that the Casual Fan, but doesn't have the time or inclinination to follow his Niners too closely. He doesn't have the info to form opinions of his own, so he just parrots the thoughts of others and tries to pass them off as his own. We've all spotted this guy, who'll comment on a thread, almost verbatim, the thoughts expressed in a post two days old. His opinions also seem all over the place, swing from pro one day, to con the next. That's because he's just blindly agreeing with the last thing he read.
Obviously, these are pretty broad stereotypes. Most people are a little of this, a little of that.
So where do you guys fall? Any other types I missed? Comment away.... it's a bye week. (sigh)
K
This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.
65 comments
|
5 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
You should attach a poll this is good
Elitist/Homer
"Optimist Prime"
"Take my advice, I don't use it anyway" -Woody Paige
Same.
I’d classify myself as a die-hard/masochist fan.
I’d punch a guy in a bar if he were talking ridiculous s#%@ about Steve Young or Patrick Willis, but I’d happily jump into a conversation that involves trashing Dennis Erickson or Trent Dilfer. I love this team to death…but sometimes that feels far too literal.
"It came down like a punt, Coach!" - Josh Morgan
haha i like this one
"Pat is still just scratching the surface." - Coach Singletary on LB Patrick Willis
Ha
You wish you were an elitist!
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Oct 16, 2009 1:36 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Well played!
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Oct 16, 2009 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm definitely a homer
I even think the Warriors have a shot at making the playoffs this year, and for a while there I thought the SF Giants did too. At least the Niners have a legitimate shot at making a run in the playoffs this year (I think they do, or is that just the homer in me?)
by Pearlsofwisdom on Oct 16, 2009 10:41 AM PDT reply actions
Warriors? Playoffs?
That may be Homer Simpsonism
"Optimist Prime"
"Take my advice, I don't use it anyway" -Woody Paige
homer
I too believe the Warriors have a chance this year. Even though, realistically, I know that’s a ridiculous thing to believe. I’m a homer fan of the Niners, Warriors, Giants, and Sharks.
by Number22Drew on Oct 20, 2009 12:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Expatriot
Always trying to watch a game, or to find out what happened in the game. You wouldn’t think it would be so hard to watch any of the games in any given week. Unless the Niners are good, or are playing an elite team, the games are not shown where I live, which sucks. Any self-righteous or know-it-all fans are pretty useless to me. Maybe a lot of them are immature/young, not sure. Or their boss/wife/dad/mom/co-worker walks all over them. You can tell someone that you disagree with them without insulting them.
Alaska is a state, dammit! Can I get a Niner game on TV up here?
you can classify me if you want, but I don't bother!
How I describe myself:
I grew up in San Jose liking both 49ers and Raiders. At age like 12 or 13 the raiders bolted to L.A. and I have hated them ever since, calling them The L.A. Traders. That is when I became a One team Fan!
I wear my niner gear (Hat, jacket, hoody) every game to J.R Rockers here on the Base in Minot N.D.
In addition, I have all kinds of 49er stuff from shirts and throw blankets to clocks and BBQ sauce (yeah I thought that last one was cool!)
I always have high hopes at the beginning of a season, and I vocalize them.
But I am also a realist, I do have strong opinions of who I think is a better player and I am not afraid to voice it before, during, and after a season!(ie.. I like Smith more than Hill). I do like to re-search stats to see if there is something on paper to confirm or disprove my beliefs.
When something looks bad, I am not going to pretend that it is good, or pretend that certain players are good, when overall stats show that they are not. That goes for coaches and play calling too! And I won’t back down from a civil discussion on the matter either.
I don’t really care if someone wants to call me names or consider it being negative just because I have a different opinion than theirs. But I always try to have all conversations in a civil and educated manner! Unless it is in a Trash Talking Forum, which I must admit, I do like the no logic my team will beat your team formats!
Things I don’t do:
Assume that I know everything about football! I don’t! Suggest going after players that are not available such as Payton manning.. (Now using him to compare what a good QB is to say Hill, yeah I might do that.. sure that’s not fair, but heck it is true, oh, I realize Smith is nowhere near that class either, but I still think he is better than Hill just my opinion!)I won’t turn off the game just because we are losing. I don’t blog/chat on the site during the game.(I am way to into the game to be distracted by that, even bad ones)
Well that’s all, I think kind of sums me up… I just get the sense on here at times that if anyone has an opinion that differs that is get’s classified as being negative, so if I have been seen as being negative by some on here that’s fine with me, I see it as things that need to be done, based on my own opinion, that the team needs to do to become better!
So tell me, what kind of fan am I.. (besides on working for the military with way to much time on his hands to being posting on here all the time!)
11-5... My 49ers pre-season prediction!
You're just the same ol' Ten-Man I see every day
You guys really stick in my craw. This is how I describe Ten-Men.
They grew up in San Jose liking both 49ers and Raiders. At age like 12 or 13 the raiders bolted to L.A. and have hated them ever since, calling them The L.A. Traders. That is when they became a One team Fan!
They wear their niner gear (Hat, jacket, hoody) every game to J.R Rockers here on the Base in Minot N.D.
In addition, they have all kinds of 49er stuff from shirts and throw blankets to clocks and BBQ sauce (yeah they thought that last one was cool!)
They always have high hopes at the beginning of a season, and they vocalize them…
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Oct 16, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Homer here...
like how I tell people, “the Niners always win on my TV.” ;)
by danknerd49 on Oct 16, 2009 2:06 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Homer/Football Fan
Have undying love for the 9ers and season tickets. But I also have the NFL ticket with 8 games on my screen at once on Sunday(Unless the 9ers are playing, then it’s only 1 game). Have the authentic Gore and Clements jerseys for going to the games. Love football and will watch any match up if it looks to be a good one (Vikings/Ravens, Giants/Saints, Falcons/Bears). There’s no better sport to watch at the game or on TV. Bar none!
"Bar None!" - William Floyd
Homer
I think there are certain shades of grey but generally I like to think I qualify as a homer over the others. I don’t think I’m quite in the bag, but I’m definitely more a homer than anything else.
Anybody think I qualify as something else?
And I’ll add a poll.
Can I say all of the above?
I’m like a chamelion. Depends on the time of day, what I had for lunch, how bored I am…
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Oct 16, 2009 4:46 PM PDT reply actions
PS
Nice post, rec.
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Oct 16, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Bandwagon!
Sort of,
When the 9ers are playing very poorly, like the last game, I HAVE to turn it off. I can’t stand watching when they make want to cry.
Not really any of these
I have never even been to the Bay Area but I have been a die-hard Niners fan ever since i was a little tyke. My first great memory of watching the Niners was the Green Bay playoff game and “The Catch 2” (I’m only 18). I find a way to watch every game they play and I have faith that we can win any game, no matter the circumstances. I check new Niners news every day before I leave for work and right when I get home.
Even though I didn’t grow up in the Bay Area, the one that best describes me probably is the Homer.
D'oh!
Homer here. Been a fan since 1980, when I was 11. My family kind of followed the raiders, but I was eh about football til I remember seeing some guy named Montana play and for some reason started liking the team.
Definitely a homer
Been a fan of the Niners since I can remember. I started watching football in the mid 80s with my dad (who wasn’t a fan) but for some reason i decided to latch onto the Niners as my team. I’ve followed them faithfully ever since.
I live in Idaho and I only know one other Niner fan. Mostly it’s Denver fans in this area.
Fellow Idahoan here!
So there is more than one of me in this entire state. Yes!
by mountaindew77 on Oct 16, 2009 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions
This is the type of Fan I am...
The one that lives in the “now” when it comes to a sports team. I’m a Laker fan. Do I own a Laker jersey? I don’t. In fact, here is a list of swag I own:
2 California Angels jackets that I have from the 70’s, because I used to hang out in the dugout during Spring Training (Nolan Ryan tried to show me how to pitch once, and years later, Kevin Mitchell and I were cracking jokes in said dugout when the Giants were in town).
1 San Jose Sharks Baseball style jersey that I bought at Champs at the time of their Inaugural season.
1 badass 49er black varsity jacket I bought in a thrift store in the Upper Haight that might have been homemade, since there isn’t anything like it. I wear that jacket everywhere, even with some paint on the sleeves from leaning against a freshly painted wall.
Oh, I do have Reggie Smith’s cleats, and Will Clark’s gym bag. I also have a sigend copy of Jim Bouton’s “Ball Four”, since I helped him with his Keynote speech on a gig.
One of the worse gigs I had was when the groundskeeping crew’s radio was carrying over Terry Bradshaw’s keynote because of wireless freq’s.
Best moment: meeting Bob St. Clair in the Alumni taligate, eating Oyster’s Rockefeller, while looking at his Paul Bunyan size shoes. One of my best friends is part of the 49er Family. Her Father is well known in the Bay Area. He is in the Baseball HOF, to mention too.
Alas, I live in the now. That’s the kind of person I am. It doesn’t mean anything to anybody else. I don’t want to be any kind of fan, other than what I like to enjoy. I’m drummer. That’s it. I was a 49er fan before the internet existed, I am a 49er fan despite any of youse, and I’ll always be a 49er fan until either I die, or they move to Los Angeles.
I don’t care what anybody thinks what kind of fan I am. I’m drummer. That’s the only fan I care about.
Well, we're waiting....
You're old
I was a 49er fan before the internet existed
When was the internet launched?
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Oct 17, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions
Al Gore did invent it?
When was that again?
Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.
by methodrampage on Oct 17, 2009 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions
1992
AOL didn’t get those free CD’s out til mid 1993 so unless you had Prodigy that’s probably when it began for most.
Ah so he's not that old
What we've got here is a failure to communicate.
by SportsChicken on Oct 18, 2009 12:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Not a real fan, obviously
I can tell from all those times I picked against the Niners in the prediction game.
GROUGTHINK ALERT
The first Chester Arthur fanboy ever.
(sigh)... picking against the Niners....
Well, I’m not here to judge you.
That’s between you and Jesus.
heh
I dont think I fit the description of any
I am somebody who loved the 49ers when i was younger, stopped watching, then around 2003 starting watching again(terrible times for the next 5 or so years), I cry watching former 49er story shows, I feel like I am going to have a heart attack during game day. I get really angry when we lose, and a little happy when we win. I am also a football fan.
How many times has Joe Montana thrown an interception in a super bowl?
Based on this poll: A homer with perspective
Who appreciates football fans and can’t stand Parrots (especially when they’re paid to parrot nothingness).
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
I'm ready to admit
I’m a complete fairweather fan. I have only halfheartedly paid attention to this team for years, and, as a result, I really haven’t paid attention to football almost at al.
But I’m different from other fairweathers in that, having jumped on the bandwagon, I do my research. Before this season started, I would have been hard pressed to name 2 49ers. Now I have all sorts of opinions about the team.
It’s odd, considering that I’m not at all a fairweather fan of the Giants. I follow them through all the pain. Maybe I just can’t handle being a fan of two awful teams at the same time.
Why do San Francisco teams insist on having terrible offenses? Frank Gore and Pablo Sandoval can't do it all.
Maybe you should change your name to
Small Doses of Pain.
by Brendan Scolari on Oct 19, 2009 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Watching the Giants offense
Is far more painful than that.
Why do San Francisco teams insist on having terrible offenses? Frank Gore and Pablo Sandoval can't do it all.
Since the Sixties
My first game was at Kezar. Been a NINER every since. Alway will be. But I tell like it is. It only means that I care ! Otherwise, I’ll be somewhere else. So if I say that the OL sucks, It sucks ! We all know that ! If I cann’t tell the truth, How good am I if I have to hide behind a LIE ? I am not going to do that. Some of you may not like it but then, the truth does hurt !
I'm a fan you seem to have left out --
an original one. I saw the Niners practice in GG Park in 1946 before they ever took the field to play a game. Saw my first game the next year at Kezar vs. the New York Yankees. I’ve seen every Niner player and coach that ever played for the team. Guess you might have to find a category for ORIGINAL or OLD.
Never gave up on them, even though it took 35 years for our first Super Bowl. If there were any two players I could add to this team, it would be John Ayers at RG and Fred Dean on the DL,
Kezarvet
At some point, you should be promoted from fan to actual Niner
by Arthur from Anaheim Calling on Oct 18, 2009 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Perspective
The way you’ve constructed this poll and described the types, only a fool or a brave brave man would claim to be much other than homer. And the results bear that out. You describe other types in disparaging language when dispassionate language could have been used.
So I’m a Homer, of course.
Actually...
I described a Homer as a somewhat manic and delusional goober (‘cause that’s how I kind of see myself).
And since Fooch threw up that poll, a couple of Parrots and Haters have been able to represent anonymously. Go figure.
But realistically, I doubt anyone can be so thoroughly labeled. This is just a post for folks to call out what kind of fan they are, and if they want, defend the stances that they take in other posts.
Anonymously, sure. For fun, though, a “hater” could be called “hypercritical” and get at the same point without the “hater” label, which is universally scorned these days. And a Parrot could be called “laid back” or something that gets at the fact that they don’t have time or will to fully engage, without having to say they are copycats.
Anyway, it’s all in fun, and your post is fun.
I'll leave it to you guys to decide what type of fan I am...
by Ninerfromacrossthepond on Oct 18, 2009 8:53 AM PDT reply actions
I’m English so grew up not even knowing NFL existed until Channel4 started showing it in the 80’s.My first game was Superbowl XIX when we beat Miami.I chose to follow the niners from then,fell in love with the sport at that point.The niners are rarely shown nowadays over here so I do watch other teams-as many games as I can-but try to watch the niners as often as poss on sports streaming websites.
Soccer and cricket are also passions of mine but the niners are as important to me now.I visit and read this site every day,however,with my job and the time difference I am unable to comment as often as I would like or did-but am not frightened to give my opinions on any topic regardless of who agrees with it or not.
by Ninerfromacrossthepond on Oct 18, 2009 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions
HAHAHA
Great read!!! I’m a Homer. One of my reason, because I make unwise bets. One example( I made this one with a cowboy fan) I bet him that the niners were going to have a better season record then the Cowboys. That bet was made last year. I should also add that I made that bet this year too. Still have hope to come out on top this year. Lets go NINERS
What about the Proud Papa and the Realist?
The Realists loves the team just as much as the Homer, but when things go badly he lays the blame squarely where it belongs – on the players and coaches. Not on the referees, not on mysterious unreported injuries and certainly not on the phase of the moon. The Realist understands that the team has plenty of good players, but also knows that the other teams do too. The Realist recognizes that a 3 point win isn’t a “domination,” but also knows that “we lost six games by 3 points or less” is a hallow excuse because most games in the NFL are decided by narrow margins. All Haters believe that they are Realists, but few are. In truth, the Realist is a Homer with a defense mechanism rooted in cold, hard reality. When the team is good, however, the Realist is the hardest hit by a loss because his belief in the team is rooted both in emotion and in intellect.
The Proud Papa believes in his team and its potential, so when things go well, that’s what he expected. Even then, he thinks they could have played a little bit better. And when things go poorly he’s disappointed that they didn’t live up to their abilities and wants to punish those responsible (I’m looking at you Dre Bly). He nevertheless knows that it can take time for all that potential to fully manifest itself. So when the team loses to a super bowl contender, the world is not coming to an end, its part of the maturation process and half-way expected. It is still, however, unacceptable and should be used as motivation to become an even stronger team. To the Proud Papa, no failure is too small to criticize, no victory to small to be proud of and no action too terrible to forgive (you said you’re sorry like a man Dre, welcome back, we love you). In short, the Proud Papa thinks he’s actually coaching the team.
by kiyoshi on Oct 19, 2009 10:25 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
I like that
the Proud Papa thinks he’s actually coaching the team.
- So true.
You gotta bring ass to get ass.
Well, by these criteria I'm probably a Hater and an Elitist
Although I personally think I’m a realist, I praise the team when they deserve it but am not a “Shaun Hill 7-3 HE’s GRATE LOLZ!” kind of guy. I try to judge my favorite team as I would judge any other team, and (I think) I’m pretty objective. At the same time the people who only ever comment to complain and say “Fire Singletary and Raye!” or “Cut the whole offense!” get on my nerves too.
Elitist I probably deserve but I hope I don’t come across as a dick. ;-)
by Brendan Scolari on Oct 19, 2009 11:36 AM PDT reply actions
Get creative...
I don’t fit any because…
-I live in NJ.
-Loved the 49ers since 1983 (I was born in 1979).
-Cried when they lost to the cowboys in all the NFC Championship games.
-Cried when they finally beat the packers with “The Catch II”
-Got in fights when they beat the Giants in the playoffs after the impossible comeback by Jeff Garcia.
-Flew to SF to see the Niners at the Stick on my 30th birthday rather than spending it with my family.
-Haven’t missed a game on TV in 6 years (including preseason)
-Hate Brett Favre with a passion.
What’s that make me…49er Faithful!!!
I'm with Mcbain... I am classified as a faithful.
I was introduced to football when I was 7 and “the drive” against the Bungels made me a 9er for life.
I wore my red and gold proudly in the streets of Oakland and in school.
I watch games every week including preseason games. Even when i am on vacation.
The reason I watch college is to see if I can picture them as 9ers.
Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.
None of the above
More of a realist/die hard
Realist Fan
Realist Fan, You root for your team every year and always look for that prayer but you know its long shot when you do the research. You know what good football is and watch football most of the time because you love the game. Every year you pull out your hopes and strap it on shoulder and become a realist as the season goes on win or lose. Always sticking true to your team a realist and tell it like it is. Not a dreamer, but a realist.
A "realist" three definitions
1) Either a homer, pessimist, or elitist that “knows in their heart” that they’re right. Nobody can be a real realist because nobody knows exactly what the team is or isn’t capable of, or they’d be banking millions in Vegas.
2) Outwardly a pessimist because they can see all the flaws but a closet homer who’s never ready to tell mommy and daddy that he’s a homer. Watches the games with friends, always points out the failures with something like “See, So-and-so never has the speed/arm strength/power to make that play…”, but secretly deeply relishes the successes.
3) Is resigned to the reality that any football game/play is decided by inches and that random chance can easily swing things one way or another. Thus, any given game/play should be enjoyed not analyzed. Hey, he’s a fan, not a coach.
You have been DFiBrillated.
by Dubs fan in Boston on Oct 21, 2009 2:02 PM PDT up reply actions
lol i'm a hybrid
i’m a mix of hater/homer……when we lose i want to declare war and raise hell.
when we win i want to talk trash as if we’d just won the superbowl
"There is no pressure. Pressure only exists when you're not prepared."
-The Samurai
I think you should add the category of Fairweather fan
For me personally, I’m kinda a combo of homer/hater. I usually make bold, outlandish claims about the niners that I know aren’t true (in the middle of a passionate debate a couple weeks ago I tried to make the argument that Shaun Hill is better then Flacco) but If I feel the team isn’t performing as is should (2007) I have no issue trashing the entire organization.
I’ve always considered my teams (the giants for baseball and niners for football) to be like a brother. I’m allowed to trash the teams all I want because they’re my family, but if anyone else tries to say bad things about the niners or giants I’ll take offense
Fat, drunk and stupid is no way to go through life, son
by lincecuminyourface on Oct 22, 2009 8:39 PM PDT reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Ahmad Bradshaw says Cowboys won’t win with Tony Romo at QB
- Cruz: Manningham’s Super catch wasn’t drawn up that way
- Whitney Houston performed the greatest national anthem in sports history (video)
- Justin Tuck visits New York City cop who survived gunshot wound to head
- The Giants won the ‘Brain Bowl,’ too
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
