What Has Happened to the Redskins' Fan Base?

[#56fanatic]

Originally Posted by KB24

Growing up, one of the things I remember sports announcers saying about the Redskins is that they had a very knowledgeable fan base. But, lately, I've seen that same fan base do some things that make me scratch my head.

If you go to other Web sites, you'll notice fans suggesting that the Redskins give up high draft picks to acquire big stars/head cases who may not fit with the system or the locker room. The worst part is that this has been the strategy since Dan Snyder bought the team and it's netted a 70-79 record with one playoff win. Additionally, teams like the Steelers, Patriots, Colts and Giants mainly used the draft while treating free agency as a supplement to their roster-building. This strategy has netted Super Bowl wins for the aforementioned teams.

I've also noticed fans asking silly questions on message boards -- questions that, in my opinion, a "knowledgeable" fan base would never ask. They've included, "Can we as a sixth-seeded team host a playoff game?" "Why was that play called a touchback?" "Why are they running the ball here (when there's less than two minutes left in the game, the opposition has no timeouts and you're trying to run the clock out)?"

Then, the games themselves have turned into a breeding ground for violent, foul-mouthed fans who feel like they need to drink themselves to oblivion to have a good time. You also have people who are conducting business in the stands and don't care about the game. People who leave or return to their seats when a play is in progress. People who want to start the wave in the fourth quarter of a close game when the Redskins offense is on the field. People who are more concerned about getting on the jumbotron than what's happening on the football field. People who are jumping up and down screaming when the Skins have the ball on a crucial fourth-down play. And those who keep wondering why that little clock in the corner keeps counting backwards from 40.

(Okay, I made that last one up, but you get the idea!)

Thoughts?

Not digging at you but here is my take : Regardless of ones knowledge of "football" once can be a fan just like anyone else. My wife (god bless her soul) knows nothing about football, generally doesn't care to, but when the skins are on, she cheers like crazy - she loves the Skins but because she isn't as knowledgable as most doesn't make her stupid, or any less of a fan than the next person.

As far as the Fed X experience - the more I learn to worry about what I can control the less stressed the situations are. I am a fan that likes to have beers at the game and go nuts - that is the way I choose to watch the games. Now, I dont drink myself stupid to where I piss myself, passout (in that order) but I do get pretty crazy. I'll admit, that in the heat of the moment my language may get a little bad, but its a football game and I get emotional. I have a son who is 4. I intend on taking him to a game in the next year or two. I understand that there are going to be fans that curse and act like fools, but my son understands that this is not language we use at home or at school. If I didn't want him to hear it, then I choose not to take him to games.
Regarding the fans that dont seem interested, or conducting business - hey its their money. They can do with it what ever they seem fit. if they want to take clients to the game to seal the deal, so be it. I can't control that, nor can anyone. As far as fans selling their tickets to other teams fans, only thing I can say is if the skins are winning on a regular basis, then fans will tend to NOT sell their tickets and come to the stadium. I live in Charlotte NC and the Panthers are a prime example of this. If they are winning the stadium is full of Panther fans, but let them loose a few games early, and its like the stadium is over run with oposing team fans.

My advise, dont stress over things you can't control.