True fan vs Band wagoner vs Fair weather

[Strife9878]

After our 14-3 (including playoffs) there has been a major increase in the insults, mainly people calling each other bandwagoners whenever they disagree on anything.

So question... What is your definition of each.

[Chargers 2008]

I think anybody that watched the 1-15 season is a true fan.

BTW I still have nightmares about that season.:D

[BoltsRule60]

My definition of a true fan is any one who stands behind this team, win or lose. Whether it's a 17 - 0 season, or a 0 - 17 season, doesn't matter. Whether or not we like or dislike the coaching staff, the trades, etc etc. And...still always always wear the Charger colors. A fair weather fan..to me are fence setters. They really just waiver between being a true fan and a band wagoner. A fair weather fan won't stick up for their team too strongly, and is easily swayed by an oposing fan to go against our team in a dispute, so as to not cause any conflict. A band wagoner is one that has many different jersey's hanging in their closet and chooses to wear the team that is winning. They can't stand up for anything.

That's just MY definitions. Curious to read more.

[LightEmUp]

Time with the team.. flat out. If you just got here during the recent success...your just a fan....not a Charger fan.


:)

[charger1_sj]

A bandwagoner is the guy that becomes a fan only because the team is winning. Pats fans that don't live in the NE area for example. Or Dallas fans who became Cowboy fans because of the success the team had in the 90's.

A fair weather fan is one who only shows up or supports the team when the team is winning.

A true fan supports the team whether they are winning or losing. It doesn't mean that a true fan will never boo or criticize the team. That's where people go wrong. The true fan will continue to buy gear, go to the games, watch them on TV and root for them, good or bad. True fans have earned the right to boo and criticize especially true for us short tempored, emotional, pesimistic types.:D

[LightsOut4ever]

I guess a true fan, whether they're happy with or mad at the team, is rational about their opinions. A bandwagoner goes with the media, hootin and hollering about the chargers when they're winning, calling for people's heads w/o reason when they're not. Fair-weather I guess would be someone who acts like they're a fan when we're good (over a period, like now) but don't care about the team (perhaps don't wear the stuff, or talk like they don't like us) when we're in a slump (over a long period of time).
with BW & FW usually not being as knowledgeable about the team or football in general because it's not reallly an interest of theirs.

^to the above post
I wouldn't say the cowboy example means they're bandwagoners. If the winning gets someone's attention and they stay fans that's ok by me.

[JouleZ]

After our 14-3 (including playoffs) there has been a major increase in the insults, mainly people calling each other bandwagoners whenever they disagree on anything.

So question... What is your definition of each.

Bandwagoner: Someone who jumps in when the Chargers are winning.

Fair weather fan: Same as Bandwagoner but likes any winning team.

True fan: Me and others who love our Chargers no matter what and always look forward to next year.

[csfoster]

Time with the team.. flat out. If you just got here during the recent success...your just a fan....not a Charger fan.


:)

I have never been a fan of any other professional football team and happy to say can trace my Chargers lineage back to Balboa Stadium 1963. And I can also say that if the Chargers leave San Diego, I will no longer be a football fan:Bolt:

[Strife9878]

Or Dallas fans who became Cowboy fans because of the success the team had in the 90's.


what would you say about someone who lives in an area without a team and started cheering for the cowboys and continued to do so even after the dynasty was over?

[LightsOut4ever]

Time with the team.. flat out. If you just got here during the recent success...your just a fan....not a Charger fan.


:)

That's not really fair, I wasn't interested in football period until a couple years ago (I was the 'smart kid', I never liked sports, but I started watching some games and got hooked).

[charger1_sj]

what would you say about someone who lives in an area without a team and started cheering for the cowboys and continued to do so even after the dynasty was over?

If it's your first team that you rooted for then good for you. You passed the test. If you switched allegence, shame on you, unless you were to young and got suckered in.

I don't have any other team. It's been the Chargers since they moved to San Diego. I occasionally root for DA Bears, that's because I have some roots in the area.

But when they play the Chargers they are DA Bums.

[LightsOut4ever]

haha. Same with me and the Vikes (me,dad, & bro are only california born people in family. Mom's from minny and all of both sides of family, save some of dad's cousins, are in MIN --I was so pissed when we lost that game, I thought we woulda killed em)

[LAbolt]

After our 14-3 (including playoffs) there has been a major increase in the insults, mainly people calling each other bandwagoners whenever they disagree on anything.

So question... What is your definition of each.

That's a real good question.

Bandwagon: somebody that jumps on a team when thery are winning.

Fairweather fan: Almost the same as a badwagon fan.

True fan: Stick with your team, No matter what!!

[jagerbolt]

figures, I just made a post saying how I'm a new chargers fan in another thread when it would have fit here perfectly. doh
check it out if you want - http://forums.chargers.com/showpost.php?p=1912435&postcount=114
so am I true fan or just another band wagoner/fair weather fan? since I never watched football before, never had another team and I picked the bolts before the 06-07 season started I'd like to think I'm not a band wagoner. Even when we were 1-3 at the start of the season this year I was still wearing my Rivers jersey.

I guess comes down to it, does it matter? there may be plenty of band wagoners that come with good seasons but it'll also pull in people like myself who decide that they'll be a fan for life and thats good right? :Bolt:

[Strife9878]

figures, I just made a post saying how I'm a new chargers fan in another thread when it would have fit here perfectly. doh
check it out if you want - http://forums.chargers.com/showpost.php?p=1912435&postcount=114
so am I true fan or just another band wagoner/fair weather fan? since I never watched football before, never had another team and I picked the bolts before the 06-07 season started I'd like to think I'm not a band wagoner. Even when we were 1-3 at the start of the season this year I was still wearing my Rivers jersey.

I guess comes down to it, does it matter? there may be plenty of band wagoners that come with good seasons but it'll also pull in people like myself who decide that they'll be a fan for life and thats good right? :Bolt:


The concenses seesm to be this.

If we start losing again will you still be on board? If so you are will on your way to becoming a true fan.

[calgaryboltsfan]

If you're on this board (reading or posting) almost two weeks after the final loss of the season. You're probably a pretty big fan. We are the minority however and that's not a big deal to me anymore. If attendance at home games was limited to diehards (in any sport) then you wouldn't sell out too many home games. Every team needs those fringe fans.

Wanna gauge how big of a fan someone is of there football team? Ask him/her to name the O-Line.

[vheman]

There are no rules or requirements for being a fan. That's the beauty of it. Welcome all bandwagoners, fair weather fans, newbies, old timers and the like!
If you get mad at the team and drop off, we'll see you back when things get better. Lord knows I've seriously doubted my allegiance to this team during some of the really bleak years and when horrible personnel decisions were made. My obsession with the Bolts always drew me back.
Hell, I'm a die-hard Aztec fan too...think that's easy?

[LightsOut4ever]

haha, exactly cbf.

I almost get arrogent when talking Chargers with neighbors and such, because they are 'we-live-here-and-like-football' fans, but don't know back-ups, etc.

[Blue Bolt]

Bandwagoner: Someone who jumps in when the Chargers are winning.

Fair weather fan: Same as Bandwagoner but likes any winning team.

True fan: Me and others who love our Chargers no matter what and always look forward to next year.

I'll make one addition to the above...

True Fan: Those who are still on this Chargers fan site answering silly questions like this when they should have something better to do. ;)

[LAbolt]

I'll make one addition to the above...

True Fan: Those who are still on this Chargers fan site answering silly questions like this when they should have something better to do. ;)

LOL, :logo:helmet:LightsOut:

[Strife9878]

If you're on this board (reading or posting) almost two weeks after the final loss of the season. You're probably a pretty big fan. We are the minority however and that's not a big deal to me anymore. If attendance at home games was limited to diehards (in any sport) then you wouldn't sell out too many home games. Every team needs those fringe fans.

Wanna gauge how big of a fan someone is of there football team? Ask him/her to name the O-Line.

As for hte oline thing. I need to disagree there are casual true fans. They arent on this forum probably but they still love the team even if they dont know every transaction or draft pick. For anyone of this forum football season is round the clock. Even those of us like myself who know nothing about college football are lookign forward to draft day. Casual fans are looking forward to kick off but offseason stuff dosnt amtter to much. But they are still cheering for the blue and gold every sunday during the season wheter we are 2-14 or 14-2

[TrabucoWR]

I think anybody that watched the 1-15 season is a true fan.

BTW I still have nightmares about that season.:D
Extra points for you if you were at the 1 in that 1-15 :D And yes I'm saying that because I was there!

[Jubilation T. Cornpone]

There is no difference. (in the following sense)
Each member of every group considers him/her (self) to be superior to the members of the other groups. (with few “apparent” exceptions)

[sdcsp95]

Bandwagon fan: roots for a team when they are winning, but jumps ship when they are losing.

fair wheather fan: is a fan of one team, but only watches the team/ buys merchandise when team is winnin.

true fan: is a fan of the team win lose or draw. its kinda like a marriage, for better or worse, that type of thing.

[jcjcgo5]

Well, I've only been a Chargers fan since the 80s. I haven't always kept up with them(I lived in the Philippines for a time)

I started following the team again when Marty took over. I believe it was the last year the seahawks were in the AFC west. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is, yes I get mad when the team is losing. Yes, I talk shmack about certain players that under perform. However, I have always worn My Chargers colors with pride. Like when I lived in San Pedro, Ca a few years back, when the faiders beat us for 1st place & went on to lose in the SB to Tampa Bay, I wore my Chargers jerseys with pride! Even when all the L.A. faider fans were all out in force talking shmack & making fun of my Chargers, I was ready to take an @$$ beating returning the shmack talk. So I don't know if I'm a "true", "fairweather" or "bandwagoner". All I Know is I'm a "fan" of the Chargers.

[Pogobyrd]

I have never been a fan of any other professional football team and happy to say can trace my Chargers lineage back to Balboa Stadium 1963. And I can also say that if the Chargers leave San Diego, I will no longer be a football fan:Bolt:

Gotcha by 2 years

1961

[Sanitation Man]

As for hte oline thing. I need to disagree there are casual true fans. They arent on this forum probably but they still love the team even if they dont know every transaction or draft pick. For anyone of this forum football season is round the clock. Even those of us like myself who know nothing about college football are lookign forward to draft day. Casual fans are looking forward to kick off but offseason stuff dosnt amtter to much. But they are still cheering for the blue and gold every sunday during the season wheter we are 2-14 or 14-2

Well said. :Beer:

As for the true fan vs. bandwagon vs. fairweather deal, it's all subjective. For those of you who feel a true fan needs to know everything about the team (from org to practice squad) or even have tenure, you need to check yourself...in to a mental institution. Your family misses you. Knowing that information doesn't make anyone "more of a fan" than the person who only knows the stars, but gets excited to go to or watch every Chargers game.

Bandwagon fans can jump on anytime - who cares? The same goes for fairweather. If they want to cheer because the team is winning, that's great. If they leave, when the team is losing, even better.

The last thing is how a "true fan" does not say anything when the team is "incurring problems" but the bandwagon fan does. That is just purely assinine! Get your heads out of your asses and realize that a "true fan" is passionate, no matter what. We all have vested (some) time and emotions in to this team and have the right to say what we want whenever we want. Everyone is entitled to an opinion; that's what these forums are for, right?

We're all fans - even if it's for just one game.

[JouleZ]

I'll make one addition to the above...

True Fan: Those who are still on this Chargers fan site answering silly questions like this when they should have something better to do. ;)

I can't help myself. I just got signed up today since registration was closed during the playoffs and I'm excited.

[Rivers+LT=SB]

Well said. :Beer:

As for the true fan vs. bandwagon vs. fairweather deal, it's all subjective. For those of you who feel a true fan needs to know everything about the team (from org to practice squad) or even have tenure, you need to check yourself...in to a mental institution. Your family misses you. Knowing that information doesn't make anyone "more of a fan" than the person who only knows the stars, but gets excited to go to or watch every Chargers game.

Bandwagon fans can jump on anytime - who cares? The same goes for fairweather. If they want to cheer because the team is winning, that's great. If they leave, when the team is losing, even better.

The last thing is how a "true fan" does not say anything when the team is "incurring problems" but the bandwagon fan does. That is just purely assinine! Get your heads out of your asses and realize that a "true fan" is passionate, no matter what. We all have vested (some) time and emotions in to this team and have the right to say what we want whenever we want. Everyone is entitled to an opinion; that's what these forums are for, right?

We're all fans - even if it's for just one game.

I agree that criticising your team doesn't make you a bandwagon fan.... To a point.

Earlier in the year we saw that point, there were soooo many people here just to talk **** about Rivers and stir up stuff whenever they could....

And where are a lot of those people after he got his **** together and we started doing good as a team? NO where to be found!

I can think of 3 or 4 off the top of my head that claimed to be the most passionate fans and loved the chargers, but kept hating on Rivers... Then he starts doing good again and the Chargers are winning a lot of games....

And where are those people that were clammering for Volek now? They are gone and not posting anymore, so afraid to admit they were wrong about River's and the Chargers in general that they just leave...

Pretty ****ing sad.

Personally though i'll take the smaller fan base for less of the Panic Button, the Sky is falling think they know everything football "fans" that seemed to be taking over earlier in the season.

[Lyth]

Well said. :Beer:

The last thing is how a "true fan" does not say anything when the team is "incurring problems" but the bandwagon fan does. That is just purely assinine! Get your heads out of your asses and realize that a "true fan" is passionate, no matter what. We all have vested (some) time and emotions in to this team and have the right to say what we want whenever we want. Everyone is entitled to an opinion; that's what these forums are for, right?

We're all fans - even if it's for just one game.

I'll agree completely. I get too emotional about the Chargers to shut up when they do something stupid as an orginization...and they've done some really dumb stuff over the years. I care about how well they do, so I speak up. If I didn't care enough to say something, I wouldn't consider myself much of a fan. Homers == sheep, and I don't like mutton.

I'm just as loud when they push the correct button.

[Blue Bolt]

I can't help myself. I just got signed up today since registration was closed during the playoffs and I'm excited.

I guess that makes you a True Fan then. :)

[ChargersFan55]

A true fan remembers the days of Ryan Leaf, Jim Harbaugh, Craig Whelihan, Moses Moreno, and Erik Kramer.
Good ole days!!! ;):rolleyes:

[GRIMMz SD]

i meet a couple of people in occassions who only has the gear to show for it & can't even name a player on the team beside LT, now im not a jerk that would approach somebody and duel him/her with chargers trivia questions, but when i see somebody rockin the charger gear, my inner diehard fanatic comes out to approach & chitchat about the team, players & how the season is going.

& i get totally disgusted when some of these people that i meet, doesnt know a soul in the organization nor how the game of football is played, how can you root for a team if you dont know whos playing???..this doesnt make sense to me & when i call them out on it, they instantly turn defensive & guilty "so what! there's more important things in life than football"..haha..im convinced some of these guys are just riding the hype of the momentum when the team is winning for attention & perks. or its because its the IN thing to do.

meet people like this?

[BoltMark]

I think anybody that watched the 1-15 season is a true fan.

BTW I still have nightmares about that season.:D

Ugh, that was the first year I bought season tickets. I've had Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome ever since. Even then I renewed my tickets the year after and every year since.

[Oregon BoltCpl]

Bandwagon fan is someone who gloms onto a team when they are doing well. I call people like that "Frontrunners" I knew this guy who would buy a new baseball cap every year of the hottest baseball team at the time. Pure Frontrunner!!!

Then theres guys like myself that would take a felony rap if someone disrespected my Chargers!! I liken it to someone disrespecting your wife or your Mama. Know what I mean??

Bandwagonner CAN become true fans if given the proper tutelage from a Diehard True fan. Someone needs to teach them the history.........Why not YOU??

Another opinion I hold is it really bothers me when someone says they are a "Long suffering Chargers fan". I dont know why but that just torques my shorts. Usually I just tell em it aint always gonna be roses and sunshine Cupcake..........SUCK IT UP!!!

In closing I would like to say to those like us who love our Chargers no matter what..............KEEP ON BELIEVIN BABY!!! It will happen!!!!!!!

[TrabucoWR]

A true fan remembers the days of Ryan Leaf, Jim Harbaugh, Craig Whelihan, Moses Moreno, and Erik Kramer.
Good ole days!!! ;):rolleyes:
That was the era I became a fan. Craig Weelihan started the first Charger game I ever went to. I picked about as bad a time as ever to become a Charger fan, and I couldn't be more happy with the choice.

[JouleZ]

I guess that makes you a True Fan then. :)


Yes. Since I saw them at Balboa in 1965 and they were recruiting Chargettes. I lived in El Cajon, no way my Dad would let me go there!

Been true to my team ever since. Love them. Always have and always will. Nothing beats the Chargers. IMO

[Sanitation Man]

I agree that criticising your team doesn't make you a bandwagon fan.... To a point.

Earlier in the year we saw that point, there were soooo many people here just to talk **** about Rivers and stir up stuff whenever they could....

And where are a lot of those people after he got his **** together and we started doing good as a team? NO where to be found!

I can think of 3 or 4 off the top of my head that claimed to be the most passionate fans and loved the chargers, but kept hating on Rivers... Then he starts doing good again and the Chargers are winning a lot of games....

And where are those people that were clammering for Volek now? They are gone and not posting anymore, so afraid to admit they were wrong about River's and the Chargers in general that they just leave...

Pretty ****ing sad.

Personally though i'll take the smaller fan base for less of the Panic Button, the Sky is falling think they know everything football "fans" that seemed to be taking over earlier in the season.

I want to respond, but will most likely detour this to another thread we're all probably sick of already.

Funny how you singled out PR and no mention of the hate for Norv, Ted, Jammer, or the o-line. :rolleyes:

[Sanitation Man]

I'll agree completely. I get too emotional about the Homers == sheep, and I don't like mutton.

That was just too funny. LOL.

[Mythomaniac]

I consider myself a stormy weather, falling off the wagon, fan!

[simihi]

Just because your not a "Longtime Fan" doesn't mean your not a "True Fan", Damn. No one in my family watched Football so I never got into it young. I did however play Video Games and around 2004 I started playing Madden. I used all different teams for different things. Finally in 2006 I started watching real Football still with no team, just watching who ever was on. After two seasons guess what team was on most, Me living close to L.A. The San Diego Chargers, of course. Now I will Rep the Chargers for life, just as I Rep my L.A Kings even though they suck right now. I am no Fair Weather Fan.

Sorry for the long post, here are my definitions.

True fan : Reps the teams through good & bad.

Fair weather :Reps the team through good says they're not a fan through bad

Band wagoner :Reps the best team at the moment (Alternate definition Patriots Fan)

[Strife9878]

OK... does a mod have a personal problem with me? My threads getting moved to forums no one reads when they really make no since to be there? This thread makes perfect since to be in GD with all the people calling each other band wagoners going around. Somehow talking about a blogger calling for powder blues is more valid for GD?

Anyway... I should probably answer my own question.

True Fan: do you love the team and always cheer for them? if so you fall in this category. A lot of people in this thread have included buy the products. I personally don't see the need to fill Dean;spockets when he fails to put a good product on the field. I'm sure he appreciates that attitude though. Doesn't change peoples love for the team if they don't want to risk buying a jersey of the next Ryan Leaf.

Bandwagoner: Basically the ones who cant stand not being on the winning side and have no team loyalty. I would say that after the resignation of my boss, we don't have to many left... They are over on the pats message board posting under the name "Truepatsfan12" or something like that. (if that name really exists then it is entirely coincidental... made that up off the top of my head, my apologize to anyone who i just accidentally made fun of)

Fairweather: Picks one team, but really only cares when they are winning.

[Jubilation T. Cornpone]

Looks like you should have named the thread “Chargers true fan, etc.
You question was apparently too generic and not Chargers specific enough. (just a guess)

[bigslick]

OK... does a mod have a personal problem with me? My threads getting moved to forums no one reads when they really make no since to be there? This thread makes perfect since to be in GD with all the people calling each other band wagoners going around. Somehow talking about a blogger calling for powder blues is more valid for GD?

Anyway... I should probably answer my own question.

True Fan: do you love the team and always cheer for them? if so you fall in this category. A lot of people in this thread have included buy the products. I personally don't see the need to fill Dean;spockets when he fails to put a good product on the field. I'm sure he appreciates that attitude though. Doesn't change peoples love for the team if they don't want to risk buying a jersey of the next Ryan Leaf.

Bandwagoner: Basically the ones who cant stand not being on the winning side and have no team loyalty. I would say that after the resignation of my boss, we don't have to many left... They are over on the pats message board posting under the name "Truepatsfan12" or something like that. (if that name really exists then it is entirely coincidental... made that up off the top of my head, my apologize to anyone who i just accidentally made fun of)

Fairweather: Picks one team, but really only cares when they are winning.

Pretty simple answer: If you make the effort to attend at least 1 or more games live per year you have proven your fanhood because you have made the required time and economic sacrifices.

Otherwise, you enjoy the team but haven't made any real commitment.

[LightsOut4ever]

Pretty simple answer: If you make the effort to attend at least 1 or more games live per year you have proven your fanhood because you have made the required time and economic sacrifices.

Otherwise, you enjoy the team but haven't made any real commitment.
that's incredibly unfair. So because I can't afford to go see a game I'm not a "true" fan? I think the more important sacrifices are the intangible ones

i meet a couple of people in occassions who only has the gear to show for it & can't even name a player on the team beside LT, now im not a jerk that would approach somebody and duel him/her with chargers trivia questions, but when i see somebody rockin the charger gear, my inner diehard fanatic comes out to approach & chitchat about the team, players & how the season is going.

& i get totally disgusted when some of these people that i meet, doesnt know a soul in the organization nor how the game of football is played, how can you root for a team if you dont know whos playing???..this doesnt make sense to me & when i call them out on it, they instantly turn defensive & guilty "so what! there's more important things in life than football"..haha..im convinced some of these guys are just riding the hype of the momentum when the team is winning for attention & perks. or its because its the IN thing to do.

meet people like this?
I totally agree with you. I don't think it's mandate to know a lot of stuff about the team, but for me too -- it just doesn't make sense to be interesting in something but not know anything about it (ex: when I was little, I liked dinosaurs, so I became a friggin encyclopedia on them).

[Sanitation Man]

Pretty simple answer: If you make the effort to attend at least 1 or more games live per year you have proven your fanhood because you have made the required time and economic sacrifices.

Otherwise, you enjoy the team but haven't made any real commitment.
That is one of the most ridiculous answers. What about the people who follow the Chargers from other states, or internationally? What about those who do not have money to spend on entertainment because their budget is too tight?

Get off your high horse. Just because you have the luxury to go to a game(s), doesn't make you any more of a fan than someone who doesn't. People can contibute in many ways; material or emotional.

[LarryAW]

Pretty simple answer: If you make the effort to attend at least 1 or more games live per year you have proven your fanhood because you have made the required time and economic sacrifices.

Otherwise, you enjoy the team but haven't made any real commitment.

Some people, myself included, have medical problems that prevent them from going to games. I used to be a season ticket holder. I have been a fan since I moved here 37 years ago at the age of 19. I've been through a lot more lean times than good times, and I always support the Chargers no matter what. Thinking you have to attend a game to be a true fan is stupid. If I could go, I would. I wish the reason I couldn't go was financial rather than medical. I'm permanently retired from the Navy. If I was medically able to attend Chargers' games, I would be healthy enough to complete the 5 classes I need (and will always need) to get my Bachelor's Degree in Finance at SDSU.

[bigslick]

That is one of the most ridiculous answers. What about the people who follow the Chargers from other states, or internationally? What about those who do not have money to spend on entertainment because their budget is too tight?

Get off your high horse. Just because you have the luxury to go to a game(s), doesn't make you any more of a fan than someone who doesn't. People can contibute in many ways; material or emotional.

High horse? I happen to think that it is terribly arrogant to tell people how to be a fan and classify different types of fans.

The Chargers make 2 trips to the middle of the country every year (KC and Denver). They usually make at least one trip back east.

[PR17]

A true fan- never criticizes LT, gives a free pass to certain players, but has the right to criticize every other players and bash them and call other fans bandwagoners becuz they disagree with them or criticize certain players.

A Bandwagon fan- A person who likes the team only when they are winning and shows up only when they are winning, and also a person who disagrees with a true fan.

A fair weather fan- basically the same as a bandwagon.

haha

[Jubilation T. Cornpone]

The next step is: What is the ultimate fan and how do we define her/him/it?

[Sanitation Man]

High horse? I happen to think that it is terribly arrogant to tell people how to be a fan and classify different types of fans.

The Chargers make 2 trips to the middle of the country every year (KC and Denver). They usually make at least one trip back east.

I would agree wholeheartedly. As for the second part of your post, most people still cannot afford to make those trips (plane, hotel, food, and tix) - not cheap.

[thehotdelancey]

Pretty simple answer: If you make the effort to attend at least 1 or more games live per year you have proven your fanhood because you have made the required time and economic sacrifices.

Otherwise, you enjoy the team but haven't made any real commitment.

How much money you give to the team and/or scalpers to go to games has nothing to do with being a fan. I havent been to a game in 4-5 years, yet I post here all the time. If I spent as much time studying biochem as I did following the chargers, Id have straight As.

Fans shouldnt have anything to "prove". Charger nation isn't a country. It isn't a fraternity- being a fan isn't a privilege, its a choice. Its just a common liking of a certain team, it doesnt matter if a person likes the players, the city, the logo, or the colors.

Are bandwagoners annoying? Of course. we all hate the guy who wears a different teams jersey every day of the week. But in my opinion, its worse to think less of a person because of the team they like. Unless theyre being a giant bag of douche.

[csfoster]

Pretty simple answer: If you make the effort to attend at least 1 or more games live per year you have proven your fanhood because you have made the required time and economic sacrifices.

Otherwise, you enjoy the team but haven't made any real commitment.

Well then, I guess I have been enjoying my Bolts for the last 45+ years without commitment. :eek:

The truth is I actually found going to the games to be rather boring due to the constant illogical breaks in action interrupting any sense of continuity of play and thus prefer to enjoy my home team on TV where I can do productive things like commenting on the game thread during numerous TV time-outs instead of being bored waiting for play to resume:Bolt:

[bigslick]

Well then, I guess I have been enjoying my Bolts for the last 45+ years without commitment. :eek:

The truth is I actually found going to the games to be rather boring due to the constant illogical breaks in action interrupting any sense of continuity of play and thus prefer to enjoy my home team on TV where I can do productive things like commenting on the game thread during numerous TV time-outs instead of being bored waiting for play to resume:Bolt:

That is a strange dichotomy. You are a champion of the cause to keep the Chargers in San Diego but you don't actually enjoy attending live games.