True fans?

[bpytnjr58]

A true fan wears the jersey and hat....flies the car flags...does not take off the licence plates and decals when the team has had a bad game or a dismal season. A true fan supports the team color regardless of wins or losses. I see it all the time here with Raider and Charger fans "more so Charger fan". I see those car flags just a flyin the first few weeks then after a few losses they are back in the trunk of the car...that is not a real fan.

[cobrajet]

I don't question other people's fandom or would I like it if someone were to question me. If you hurt inside as bad as I do when we lose or if you are on cloud nine after a Steelers victory - you are a fan. I am even scared that I am going to get smacked around by God on my judgement day for my level of devotion to Ravens football on Sundays.

[Latch]

you're right about everything except for bandwagon fans—ive met countless "diehard" packers fans who can't name more than 3 players.
however, just because someone doesn't agree with a play call or thinks that their team doesn't have a chance in the playoffs doesn't make them a fair-weather fan or anything like that. it's downright offensive when people accuse me of being a bad fan, and im sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.

[nextgen_RavensFan]

Do you consider a person a fan that just refuses to believe this is the best we can do and vocalizes it ? It seems even though some speak out in frustration and point out obvious things others resent or call them haters. When in reality they just want to see the team be the best and vocalize what others think but do not speak. Me, i try to be honest and to the point and folks do not like that. If i think Flacco is the issue i say it. If i think Ray Lewis is i state that as well. I just want to see us be at our best and for all issues to be confronted and fixed, i do not care if they are the stars of the team. If you do not play up to a Ravens standard you need to improve and i think the Ravens are the best and expect to see all of our players bringing the A game. They get paid very well and i do not think if they did not have the talent Oz would have grabbed them.

[Dudeman]

[quote name='Latch' timestamp='1355939697' post='1270693']
you're right about everything except for bandwagon fans—ive met countless "diehard" packers fans who can't name more than 3 players.
however, just because someone doesn't agree with a play call or thinks that their team doesn't have a chance in the playoffs doesn't make them a fair-weather fan or anything like that. it's downright offensive when people accuse me of being a bad fan, and im sure I'm not the only one who feels that way.
[/quote]

A couple of people on here have said they know people that do the bandwagon thing. Which again seems odd to me because I don't know anyone like that. It also seems really weird to me to drop a team for another team without in fact moving to a new city/state. I don't know, it just seems like the whole bandwagon fan thing is blown way out of proportion.

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='Dudeman' timestamp='1355946811' post='1270814']
A couple of people on here have said they know people that do the bandwagon thing. Which again seems odd to me because I don't know anyone like that. It also seems really weird to me to drop a team for another team without in fact moving to a new city/state. I don't know, it just seems like the whole bandwagon fan thing is blown way out of proportion.
[/quote]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]I've a coworker, immigrated from Israel, and was originally moved to Baltimore. He was a Ravens fan for three years.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Then, work beckoned, and he moved to San Diego and became a Chargers fan.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Then, work beckoned again, and he moved to Wisconsin and became a Packers fan about the same time they won the Super Bowl.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Now, living in Indiana... guess what?... A Colts fan.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Granted, he's not a 'bandwagon' fan per se, I just view this as supporting the 'home team', which is good for the city/state. It is just funny though, you see old photos of him and you just have to laugh at all the different football jerseys and hats and the like.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]~ Cosmic[/i][/font]

[EricH]

[quote name='nextgen_RavensFan' timestamp='1355938151' post='1270658']
Did some fans really give Flacco the middle finger ?
[/quote]
Yes. Two right in front of me.

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='EricH' timestamp='1355964780' post='1271120']
Yes. Two right in front of me.
[/quote]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]There were two middle fingers in front of you? They weren't yours, I hope?[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Were they two middle fingers coming from the same person? Or one from two different people?[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Details man, details!!!![/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]~ Cosmic[/i][/font]

[redravenfan]

[quote name='nextgen_RavensFan' timestamp='1355938151' post='1270658']
Did some fans really give Flacco the middle finger ?
[/quote]yes it was ugly i was there name calling booing

[K-Dog]

[quote name='CosmicRedPanda' timestamp='1355956168' post='1270976']
[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]I've a coworker, immigrated from Israel, and was originally moved to Baltimore. He was a Ravens fan for three years.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Then, work beckoned, and he moved to San Diego and became a Chargers fan.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Then, work beckoned again, and he moved to Wisconsin and became a Packers fan about the same time they won the Super Bowl.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Now, living in Indiana... guess what?... A Colts fan.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Granted, he's not a 'bandwagon' fan per se, I just view this as supporting the 'home team', which is good for the city/state. It is just funny though, you see old photos of him and you just have to laugh at all the different football jerseys and hats and the like.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]~ Cosmic[/i][/font]
[/quote]

I dont have a problem with that kind of fan. I love going to games. If I lived in some other city I would want to go to a home game or two.

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='K-Dog' timestamp='1355969616' post='1271206']
I dont have a problem with that kind of fan. I love going to games. If I lived in some other city I would want to go to a home game or two.
[/quote]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]As a Ravens fan in Indy, I'd be doing a great disservice to all the Baltimore Colts & hardcore Ravens fans that share in that same grief. So, other than when they are playing the Ravens, I stay away from the Colts.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]~ Cosmic[/i][/font]

[K-Dog]

[quote name='CosmicRedPanda' timestamp='1355969768' post='1271211']
[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]As a Ravens fan in Indy, I'd be doing a great disservice to all the Baltimore Colts & hardcore Ravens fans that share in that same grief. So, other than when they are playing the Ravens, I stay away from the Colts.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]~ Cosmic[/i][/font]
[/quote]

I will give you that.
Some cities are incompatible.
Baltimore / Pitts-burgh
Dallas / Washington.

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='nextgen_RavensFan' timestamp='1355936421' post='1270609']
I was a Colts fan and remember games where we would play the Jets and they outnumbered us and tried to run us out of our own stadium. Those were cold sad days indeed.
[/quote]

Why'd you make the switch to the Ravens, lol? Colts fan through thick and thin?

[mhead66]

[quote name='Ravenseconbeast' timestamp='1355871084' post='1269902']
True fan cares about the [b]team[/b]. You are not here just as fan of a single player... But the whole team.

You stick with the team through [b]thick and thin[/b], and you[b] [/b]never give up on the team.

That is a true fan.
[/quote]

I think this is the best definition - the team over the player. Ed Reed's attitude has brought out this argument in the past. I've seen people's allegiance questioned for pointing out flaws in players, for calling out players' attitudes or effort.

For example, this summer I really questioned whether the FO should cater to McKinnie, after he repeatedly failed to make weight; he came in at his target weight in March and got his $500,000 bonus, but showed up fat and late to the OTAs, after (supposedly) falling in his Miami apartment... but the report was that he was dancing - in Miami - the night before he was scheduled to report, in Baltimore... a few people thought I was disloyal, for questioning the FO's decision to keep him.

I also criticized Ed Reed's commitment this offseason, when he wavered between retiring and not retiring, then not showing at the OTAs... and was told he's a HOFer, and I should [b]NEVER[/b] question Ed Reed.

I completely understand people venting, after a tough loss - if it doesn't hurt to see your team lose, I wonder whether you ARE a fan. Questioning and criticizing at times DOES have its place... as long as you're not a Negative Nancy, posting NOTHING BUT negative comments. We DO have some Johnny Rainclouds here, people ALWAYS looking for the rain instead of the rainbow... sort of like Mike Preston, at times. I'd have to say that he's a writer, but not always necessarily a fan.

But - seriously - the people who drive me crazy are the Kool-Aid drinkers, who consistently call out anyone criticizing the players... I found that out, when I posted a "somewhat" negative post about Ozzie's recent drafting...

[Malkavian Raven]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1355971364' post='1271253']
I think this is the best definition - the team over the player. Ed Reed's attitude has brought out this argument in the past. I've seen people's allegiance questioned for pointing out flaws in players, for calling out players' attitudes or effort.

For example, this summer I really questioned whether the FO should cater to McKinnie, after he repeatedly failed to make weight; he came in at his target weight in March and got his $500,000 bonus, but showed up fat and late to the OTAs, after (supposedly) falling in his Miami apartment... but the report was that he was dancing - in Miami - the night before he was scheduled to report, in Baltimore... a few people thought I was disloyal, for questioning the FO's decision to keep him.

I also criticized Ed Reed's commitment this offseason, when he wavered between retiring and not retiring, then not showing at the OTAs... and was told he's a HOFer, and I should [b]NEVER[/b] question Ed Reed.

I completely understand people venting, after a tough loss - [b]if it doesn't hurt to see your team lose, I wonder whether you ARE a fan.[/b] Questioning and criticizing at times DOES have its place... as long as you're not a Negative Nancy, posting NOTHING BUT negative comments. We DO have some Johnny Rainclouds here, people ALWAYS looking for the rain instead of the rainbow... sort of like Mike Preston, at times. I'd have to say that he's a writer, but not always necessarily a fan.

But - seriously - the people who drive me crazy are the Kool-Aid drinkers, who consistently call out anyone criticizing the players... I found that out, when I posted a "somewhat" negative post about Ozzie's recent drafting...
[/quote]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Does a loss hurt? Sure. But it's a reality. We are going to lose games now and again. We had a pretty decent run to 9-2 and our injuries, poor playcalling and a multitude of other issues just got to be too much. Again, it's a reality that we are bound to lose games, even ones that we SHOULD win... it is just the reality of the game.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Could you imagine if the Ravens were undefeated for two or three seasons and then lost ONE game... this place would come unglued.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]~ Cosmic[/i][/font]

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='CosmicRedPanda' timestamp='1355973765' post='1271299']
[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Does a loss hurt? Sure. But it's a reality. We are going to lose games now and again. We had a pretty decent run to 9-2 and our injuries, poor playcalling and a multitude of other issues just got to be too much. Again, it's a reality that we are bound to lose games, even ones that we SHOULD win... it is just the reality of the game.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Could you imagine if the Ravens were undefeated for two or three seasons and then lost ONE game... this place would come unglued.[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]~ Cosmic[/i][/font]
[/quote]
The end of the world thread would have 100 pages!

[ravensdfan]

My personal definition of a true fan:

Circa 2007:

Steeler dude: Man, your Ravens really kind of stunk it up this season.

Raven girl: Their record kind of sucks. But man, did you see how much fight and heart they showed verus the Pats? They almost pulled that thing off too. I'm very proud of them for that.

[SecretAgentMan]

[quote name='ravensdfan' timestamp='1355974464' post='1271314']
My personal definition of a true fan:

Circa 2007:

Steeler dude: Man, your Ravens really kind of stunk it up this season.

Raven girl: Their record kind of sucks. But man, did you see how much fight and heart they showed verus the Pats? They almost pulled that thing off too. I'm very proud of them for that.
[/quote]
My personal defenition of a true fan. Someone here from the Boller days..... The most of you Flacco haters do not seem to qualify as real fans

[Dudeman]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1355974884' post='1271315']
My personal defenition of a true fan. Someone here from the Boller days..... The most of you Flacco haters do not seem to qualify as real fans
[/quote]

See I dunno there, again it's the easiest thing in the world to say that. I have been a fan longer, go to more games, etc etc. Still does that measure a true fan? I still think how you got to be a fan, and your opinion (positive or negative) is really irrelevant

Again, hating on Flacco doesn't necessarily mean someone isn't a fan either. Although I generally agree that you gotta root for Flacco to do well. I love it when he plays well personally, as it usually means the team is having a good game.

[Dfence4champs2052]

Good thread.

[Ravenseconbeast]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1355971364' post='1271253']
I think this is the best definition - the team over the player. Ed Reed's attitude has brought out this argument in the past. I've seen people's allegiance questioned for pointing out flaws in players, for calling out players' attitudes or effort.

For example, this summer I really questioned whether the FO should cater to McKinnie, after he repeatedly failed to make weight; he came in at his target weight in March and got his $500,000 bonus, but showed up fat and late to the OTAs, after (supposedly) falling in his Miami apartment... but the report was that he was dancing - in Miami - the night before he was scheduled to report, in Baltimore... a few people thought I was disloyal, for questioning the FO's decision to keep him.

I also criticized Ed Reed's commitment this offseason, when he wavered between retiring and not retiring, then not showing at the OTAs... and was told he's a HOFer, and I should [b]NEVER[/b] question Ed Reed.

I completely understand people venting, after a tough loss - if it doesn't hurt to see your team lose, I wonder whether you ARE a fan. Questioning and criticizing at times DOES have its place... as long as you're not a Negative Nancy, posting NOTHING BUT negative comments. We DO have some Johnny Rainclouds here, people ALWAYS looking for the rain instead of the rainbow... sort of like Mike Preston, at times. I'd have to say that he's a writer, but not always necessarily a fan.

But - seriously - the people who drive me crazy are the Kool-Aid drinkers, who consistently call out anyone criticizing the players... I found that out, when I posted a "somewhat" negative post about Ozzie's recent drafting...
[/quote]

thank you for the props my friend!

and that last paragraph...i know what you are talking about...haha

[EricH]

[quote name='CosmicRedPanda' timestamp='1355969150' post='1271192']
[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]There were two middle fingers in front of you? They weren't yours, I hope?[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Were they two middle fingers coming from the same person? Or one from two different people?[/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]Details man, details!!!![/i][/font]

[font=trebuchet ms,helvetica,sans-serif][i]~ Cosmic[/i][/font]
[/quote]
One guy, double handed salute.
Three rows in front of me. This is int he club section.
I cannot even imagine what was being said/done in our old seats- 5th level.

[EricH]

[quote name='mhead66' timestamp='1355971364' post='1271253']

I also criticized Ed Reed's commitment this offseason, when he wavered between retiring and not retiring, then not showing at the OTAs... and was told he's a HOFer, and I should [b]NEVER[/b] question Ed Reed.

[/quote]
I have not been a huge Reed supporter for the past 2 years now. I still wear his jersey (white) during away games...because he is part of our TEAM.
But I have lost a deal of respect for him lately regardless of what he did for us in the past. IMO, Ed has been placing the I back in TEAM.

[flaccopoe]

I still rock my Flacco jersey every Sunday!

[Dudeman]

[quote name='flaccopoe' timestamp='1356014962' post='1271525']
I still rock my Flacco jersey every Sunday!
[/quote]

My Flacco is a white away Jersey, so I actually don't wear it a lot. I rotate between Nagata, Rice, Suggs, and Lewis with the occassional Smith or Boldin....

Let's just say I have a lot of jerseys

[nextgen_RavensFan]

I have been reading through posts in this thread,, mine included and there really is no true definition of what a fan is beyond the definition in the dictionary. Look at me, i do not play in the game nor do i have any real needed outcome but when i watch the Ravens and they lose i actually hurt a bit, i scream at the TV like i am a maniac and probably the worst reaction is i take it personally for no reason at all. Even my kids are looking at me like i lost my sanity at times. Of course they always vote for anybody but the Ravens to gut punch me. LOL You would think i could just enjoy the game but if we are playing the Steelers i get edgy the day before. Hmm now i am starting to worry about me.

[Baltimore Birds]

[quote name='tctony' timestamp='1355866273' post='1269752']
Some people on this forum say you aren't a fan if you have anything negative to say about the Ravens. They like to drink the "everything is fine" koolaid that Harbaugh is constantly handing out.
[/quote]I do like Harbaugh but I also completely agree with what you're saying....the message gets old after a while if you don't change the message (Am I right Coach Billick?). Grow a pair and call out some players if they have a crappy game. It just might make them play harder and want to hang on to their position. Andy Reid is the same way...."I take full responsibility for this loss". He should have a tape recorder at his press conferences....it would save him a lot of time. I'm not saying you have to be a total A**hole and make your players feel worthless but light a little fire under their tails!!

[black blood purple passion]

[quote name='Mr. Irrelevant' timestamp='1355868814' post='1269832']
Good post man! I remember the Boller days.... Ugh.
[/quote]
you must have been having dejavu last game

[flaccopoe]

[quote name='Dudeman' timestamp='1356029997' post='1271854']
My Flacco is a white away Jersey, so I actually don't wear it a lot. I rotate between Nagata, Rice, Suggs, and Lewis with the occassional Smith or Boldin....

Let's just say I have a lot of jerseys
[/quote]

I have a Flacco and Ngata jersey. Getting a Tucker jersey for the holidays. All home jerseys. Would like to get a Rice jersey too.

[TDubbs]

Solid post. People obviously take their own personal 'Fandom' to different levels, but fellow Ravens fans shouldn't be questioning each other. I live in Canada, in a City where I'am the only Ravens fan I know. Surrounded by Steeler, Patriots, and Cowboys fans. I also travelled down to Baltimore this year for the Dallas game and plan on coming back every season at least once! Also went into Pittsburgh for the Sunday Nighter this year representing by white Flacco jersey proudly.