Happy Birthday Bandwagonners!!!

So here we are, days away from the biggest annual sporting event in the United States (let's pause for the old 60 year old man who's up in arms because he thinks it's the world series.....moving on).  If you are a Giants or a Patriots fan, this day means even more.  You are amongst the lucky few that get to see your team run out on to that field in Indianapolis competing for the title of Super Bowl Champion.  Congratulations fan, you rode that annual Giants roller coaster, or you sat there and watched your Patriots overcome that poor defense. 

If you’re lucky, your team, after battling hard through the whole game may take the lead somewhere in the third quarter and as you cheer and hi-five the other hands of those rooting for your team, you may notice something.  A new hand has been added to the group of hands you were hi-fiving earlier in the first quarter.  Then you realize not only has this person latched on because the momentum of the game is swinging in the favor of your favorite team, but they’re cheering louder than you are. 

Now you’re getting annoyed.  Sure your team is winning or maybe pretty much has the game wrapped up and you’re ecstatic to watch your favorite team hoist the Lombardi Trophy, but why are they so happy?  They weren’t there when the team was awful; they didn’t watch the games that made you want to throw your television out of the window.  They can’t even name 2 players on the team! 

What you’re experiencing is the birth of a bandwagon fan.  This is a person that most likely one of your friends brings over who you don’t know that well.  At the beginning of the evening when you introduce yourself to that person and ask “Who are you pulling for”, they responded “Oh I don’t know”.  Then 3 hours later they’re jumping all over your furniture and yelling like they’re on the field themselves. 

There is probably not a more annoying single entity in sports, and a lot of them are all created on the very day which we sports fans love so much, because of how many people are actually watching.  So be aware Giants and Pats fans, point out who's down with you and your team for the long haul early, and don’t look back!  People it's ok to root for one team or the other, but leave the real celebration for the actual fans, the ones who have stuck with their teams through the good times and the bad.  Thoughts?