Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

[dragon4ever]

Who exactly is the "we" in phrases like "We need to get this first down," or "We won that game?" These comments are often heard in living rooms, bars, and message boards where people are watching the game on TV. If you don't have a uniform on, you're not "we." And wearing a jersey doesn't count.

This "we" phenomenon seems to be unique to sports fans. For instance, if someone is talking about the Grammys and the award for Song of the Year went to their favorite band, the person never says, "We won!" Or, if they're talking about their favorite movie being nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, the person never says, "We're gonna get that Oscar. It's ours! We can do this!" Why don't they? They contributed money by purchasing CDs, DVDs, tickets, t-shirts, etc., just like sports fans, and surely they provided some vital clapping and cheering.

[Cebby]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways?

WHOMG I JUST BLUE YOU'RE MIND!!!!!

[Chaos81]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

I'll tell you why people say we when you tell me why people care about this so much.

[Sandman42]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

I don't understand why people care.

[Chip Douglass]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

I think you have better things to worry about than how people want to associate themselves with their favorite teams.

[z Revis]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

Because it's their team. The team they grew up watching. The team they live and die for. The team they pay money to go to games, buy merchandise, etc. The team they scream for at the games to be the "12th man". That's the way I see it. Fans are definitely apart of the team. Our hard earned money that we spend to go to games and/or buy merchandise goes and contributes to the team. When we go to games and scream our asses off for our team, we're contributing to get that W.. to be the 12th man.

Now, onto the real question, why do you care? It's not really a big deal and I think it's fairly obvious why fans say "we".

[Buckeyes_Doc]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

I never do that. It sucks the Bengals lost to the Jets though hopefully next year we can finally win a playoff game.

[ehh]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

Listening to Mike Francesca go nuts over this topic over the years is so damn funny. He gets so damn fired up when someone says "we". Who the hell cares?

[metallicatz]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

I partake in the "we" phenomenon. However, I draw the line at saying stuff like "we have more championships than you" when it comes to squabbles among rival fans. I don't try and claim somebody else's success that they worked hard for. I'll revert back to saying the team's name in those instances.

[z Revis]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

I never do that.

...

It sucks the Bengals lost to the Jets though hopefully next year we can finally win a playoff game.

You don't?

[Watson]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

I don't understand why people care.

The man speaks the truth.

[ehh]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

...



You don't?

That was the point.

[TheMatrix31]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

I'm really sick of this stupid argument/complaint.

Listen. We, as fans of teams, are part of their fan bases. The teams are NOTHING without their fans. They get their money, they get their motivation, they get pumped up, they SUSTAIN because of us. We're the fan base. Just because we're not specifically EMPLOYED by the organization doesn't mean we're not part of the team.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

Didn't we just have one of these threads not too long ago?

[Cardot]

Re: Why do sports fans say "we" when talking about the team they root for?

Because it's their team. The team they grew up watching. The team they live and die for. The team they pay money to go to games, buy merchandise, etc. The team they scream for at the games to be the "12th man". That's the way I see it. Fans are definitely apart of the team. Our hard earned money that we spend to go to games and/or buy merchandise goes and contributes to the team. When we go to games and scream our asses off for our team, we're contributing to get that W.. to be the 12th man.

So if the Colts win the SB, are you going to buy a replica of the championship ring and wear it around town?