The image of Redskins fans?

[Stacks42]

I really think that Snyder and Cerrato give people the wrong impression of us Redskins fans. Most people that i speak with kinda of thing that we are foolish and arrogant. You know what i tell them? "I'm better than you, and I dont care what you think" and then I make it rain cash all over em.

[Stuck in TX]

When I was in 9th grade my teacher, an Eagles fan, returned on a Monday from an Eagles/Steelers game. He had a wired jaw, two black eyes, and his arm was in a sling. His buddy told a Steelers fan that T.O. was a more prolific receiver than Lynn Swann. My teacher was stuck in a brawl and got the brunt of the altercation...

As a Redskins fan I thought this was pretty funny. The worst fans, or probably the dumbest, are Cowboys fans. I used to get surrounded every Saturday when I lived in Texas. They would make up facts and stats and of course when everyone thinks they are true (Tony Romo has broken the record for most TD's in a season, Marion Barber is the next Walter Payton, The Cowboys have won 6 super bowls... etc.), and I am the only one who knows they are not, being a Redskins fan denies my credibility. I will sit back and critique my team. I see the flaws, and care about how they are fixed. Cowboys fans think their team is the best, and the flaws of all 31 other teams are the reason why they cannot win a playoff game!! Granted, there are a few of us that are irrational, but I have talked to plenty more rational than irrational.

Quick Question:
Why are the "pundits" so worried about making Snyder look bad? Our image problems stems from the media. Jerry Jones is a tycoon who makes horrible decisions, and has an overrated team year after year. Al Davis is a senile crazy man who will do anything to smell a playoff game before his demise. How are they any better than Snyder?

[djdunick]

Originally Posted by Stuck in TX

Quick Question:
Why are the "pundits" so worried about making Snyder look bad? Our image problems stems from the media. Jerry Jones is a tycoon who makes horrible decisions, and has an overrated team year after year. Al Davis is a senile crazy man who will do anything to smell a playoff game before his demise. How are they any better than Snyder?

Davis at this point by the media is probably viewed from what I've read as a worse owner then Snyder.

Jones gets a bit easier treatment because at least he has some football background because he played HS and college. Snyder did neither and remember that they have won 3 SB's albeit a decade ago under Jones.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by Stuck in TX

When I was in 9th grade my teacher, an Eagles fan, returned on a Monday from an Eagles/Steelers game. He had a wired jaw, two black eyes, and his arm was in a sling. His buddy told a Steelers fan that T.O. was a more prolific receiver than Lynn Swann. My teacher was stuck in a brawl and got the brunt of the altercation...

As a Redskins fan I thought this was pretty funny. The worst fans, or probably the dumbest, are Cowboys fans. I used to get surrounded every Saturday when I lived in Texas. They would make up facts and stats and of course when everyone thinks they are true (Tony Romo has broken the record for most TD's in a season, Marion Barber is the next Walter Payton, The Cowboys have won 6 super bowls... etc.), and I am the only one who knows they are not, being a Redskins fan denies my credibility. I will sit back and critique my team. I see the flaws, and care about how they are fixed. Cowboys fans think their team is the best, and the flaws of all 31 other teams are the reason why they cannot win a playoff game!! Granted, there are a few of us that are irrational, but I have talked to plenty more rational than irrational.

Quick Question:
Why are the "pundits" so worried about making Snyder look bad? Our image problems stems from the media. Jerry Jones is a tycoon who makes horrible decisions, and has an overrated team year after year. Al Davis is a senile crazy man who will do anything to smell a playoff game before his demise. How are they any better than Snyder?

Good post. I've noticed quite a bit of that with Cowgirl fans. It makes you wonder if they're fans of football or just the Cowgirls in particular. There are many, many front-running fans out there who seem to know very little about the actual game of football. It doesn't seem to stop them from voicing their uninformed opinions unfortunately. Discussions with one seems an exercise in futility since facts are not looked upon with the same importance as who can talk the loudest. I have an ex-brother in law who wears Cowgirl gear any chance he gets and probably couldn't tell you who won the Super Bowl last year. I have taken it as my duty to see that his son (my nephew) is not raised in the same ignorance as his father and doesn't buy into the Cowgirl "hype". America's team my ass. Hail Redskins!

[rypper11]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

Good post. I've noticed quite a bit of that with Cowgirl fans. It makes you wonder if they're fans of football or just the Cowgirls in particular. There are many, many front-running fans out there who seem to know very little about the actual game of football. It doesn't seem to stop them from voicing their uninformed opinions unfortunately. Discussions with one seems an exercise in futility since facts are not looked upon with the same importance as who can talk the loudest. I have an ex-brother in law who wears Cowgirl gear any chance he gets and probably couldn't tell you who won the Super Bowl last year. I have taken it as my duty to see that his son (my nephew) is not raised in the same ignorance as his father and doesn't buy into the Cowgirl "hype". America's team my ass. Hail Redskins!

I think is true of a lot of people who watch football. My mom claims to be a Redskins fan but couldn't even tell you 3 current starters. She screams with the best of them on Sunday afternoons but, outside of the Super Bowl, never watches an NFL game. IMO, I'm a huge football fan and primarily an NFL fan, but am passionate about the SKins above all else.

[53Fan]

Originally Posted by rypper11

I think is true of a lot of people who watch football. My mom claims to be a Redskins fan but couldn't even tell you 3 current starters. She screams with the best of them on Sunday afternoons but, outside of the Super Bowl, never watches an NFL game. IMO, I'm a huge football fan and primarily an NFL fan, but am passionate about the SKins above all else.

God bless your mother! I guess I just notice it more with Cowgirl fans because they seem to be the most vocal without any provocation, facts be damned.

[MTK]

Some of my friends really aren't aware of Vinny or what he does. I know I probably couldn't name every GM/personnel guy in the league. They do know of Snyder of course but the fact is we tend to shine a much brighter light on our own situation.

[sportscurmudgeon]

Matty:

You said that many Skins fans self-perception skew toward the negative. True.

However, for lots of other Skins' fans, self-perception skews so far toward the positive that they appear delusional. Just a few examples:


1. Patrick Ramsey will become a great NFL QB because he had a better record as a starter after 15 games than Brett Favre or Peyton Manning did. Optimistic or delusional? You make the call.


2. Joe Bugel is a magical genius who can take any five guys who used to be piano movers and make them into a great offensive line. Optimistic or delusional? You make the call.


3. Training camp fodder - - such as Sultan McCullough and Anthony Mix and whomever will fill that role this summer - - would be Pro Bowl players if only the Skins would allow them to get on the field. Optimistic or delusional? You make the call.


Skins' fans also love to think that their team is "hated" by the media and by the rest of the NFL. That is simply not the case. Networks love the Skins because they are one of the teams that reliably draw good ratings on TV. Columnists love the Skins because there is always some kind of "drama" going on there to write about. Other owners love the Skins because the Skins' financial success increases the value of all league franchises.

But for many Skins' fans, they need this conspiracy of hate to exist out there or else they may have to admit that the team isn't always excellent and the FO decision making is not always excellent. So, it is much easier to go with the "Everybody hates us..." line of thought.

Oh, I guess that would fall in the "delusional" bucket - - wouldn't it?

[MTK]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

Matty:

You said that many Skins fans self-perception skew toward the negative. True.

However, for lots of other Skins' fans, self-perception skews so far toward the positive that they appear delusional. Just a few examples:


1. Patrick Ramsey will become a great NFL QB because he had a better record as a starter after 15 games than Brett Favre or Peyton Manning did. Optimistic or delusional? You make the call.


2. Joe Bugel is a magical genius who can take any five guys who used to be piano movers and make them into a great offensive line. Optimistic or delusional? You make the call.


3. Training camp fodder - - such as Sultan McCullough and Anthony Mix and whomever will fill that role this summer - - would be Pro Bowl players if only the Skins would allow them to get on the field. Optimistic or delusional? You make the call.


Skins' fans also love to think that their team is "hated" by the media and by the rest of the NFL. That is simply not the case. Networks love the Skins because they are one of the teams that reliably draw good ratings on TV. Columnists love the Skins because there is always some kind of "drama" going on there to write about. Other owners love the Skins because the Skins' financial success increases the value of all league franchises.

But for many Skins' fans, they need this conspiracy of hate to exist out there or else they may have to admit that the team isn't always excellent and the FO decision making is not always excellent. So, it is much easier to go with the "Everybody hates us..." line of thought.

Oh, I guess that would fall in the "delusional" bucket - - wouldn't it?

Yeah it goes both ways. There are extremes to both sides.

[tryfuhl]

I don't think that the image of our fans is bad at all, unless someone decides to let some of our blunders and/or lackluster play change their perception of our fans.

The only thing that irks me is the people that I haven't talked to in years saying things like, "You're STILL a Redskins fan?" or "I would've had to have picked a different team by now." What the fuggedy fugg is that all about?

[70Chip]

I don't lose sleep worrying about what other people think.

[AnimateYYZ]

Originally Posted by tryfuhl

I don't think that the image of our fans is bad at all, unless someone decides to let some of our blunders and/or lackluster play change their perception of our fans.

The only thing that irks me is the people that I haven't talked to in years saying things like, "You're STILL a Redskins fan?" or "I would've had to have picked a different team by now." What the fuggedy fugg is that all about?

Dude, I cant tell you how much I've heard Sh*t like this- especially from Philly and Dallas fans. 'Fair weather' or 'bandwagon' are terms that they are simply not familiar with... hypocrites.

[tryfuhl]

Originally Posted by AnimateYYZ

Dude, I cant tell you how much I've heard Sh*t like this- especially from Philly and Dallas fans. 'Fair weather' or 'bandwagon' are terms that they are simply not familiar with... hypocrites.

I can never take anyone's football talk seriously after that.. I mean wtf, that's a womanly trait (no offense women!)

[AnimateYYZ]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the Redskins one of the top pro sports franchises in the world? We haven't won a playoff game since Desert Storm, yet Fed Ex sells out and Redskins merchandise still flies off the shelves.

Philly fans are pissed off well, because they live in Philly. If you've spent any amount of time in this city, you'd know that there is certainly no "brotherly love".

Dallas fans are the Yankees fans of football. They span the entire nation and talk out of their ass and always, always buy into the hype.

New York fans are generally the more articulate of the three, but will run off at the mouth if given the opportunity, especially given their collection of defensive linemen that brought them an upset over the cocky Patriots.

Redskins fans may be perceived as delusional and have been somewhat spoiled by the success of the team throughout the 80's. Therefore many "fans" expect a division title, or at the very least a playoff appearance every year. The problem is, Washington D.C. and the metropolitan area is a melting pot. It's sprawling suburbs harbor people of all types from all over the world. The same could be said for many major American cities, but in my opinion D.C. stands alone. It's the nation's capitol and is probably despised unfairly in sports due to the fact that it's the home of many corrupt politicians. However, Washington is definitely a football town and it's fans by in large are loyal and true.

[Swarley]

Originally Posted by AnimateYYZ

Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the Redskins one of the top pro sports franchises in the world? We haven't won a playoff game since Desert Storm, yet Fed Ex sells out and Redskins merchandise still flies off the shelves.

Philly fans are pissed off well, because they live in Philly. If you've spent any amount of time in this city, you'd know that there is certainly no "brotherly love".

Dallas fans are the Yankees fans of football. They span the entire nation and talk out of their ass and always, always buy into the hype.

New York fans are generally the more articulate of the three, but will run off at the mouth if given the opportunity, especially given their collection of defensive linemen that brought them an upset over the cocky Patriots.

Redskins fans may be perceived as delusional and have been somewhat spoiled by the success of the team throughout the 80's. Therefore many "fans" expect a division title, or at the very least a playoff appearance every year. The problem is, Washington D.C. and the metropolitan area is a melting pot. It's sprawling suburbs harbor people of all types from all over the world. The same could be said for many major American cities, but in my opinion D.C. stands alone. It's the nation's capitol and is probably despised unfairly in sports due to the fact that it's the home of many corrupt politicians. However, Washington is definitely a football town and it's fans by in large are loyal and true.

I think you hit the nail on the head. Fantastic post. I remember someone arguing with me that Skins fans are only fans when things are going well. That should explain all the season ticket holders year in year out and all the merchandise being sold....