The Most Annoying Fans in Sports Today
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by TLong
Let me preface this by saying that I have no ill will towards any of the following groups of people. Nor am I saying that these fans are "bad fans" or "ignorant fans" or anything like that. All I am conveying with this article is that there is something about these groups of fans that annoys the heck out of everyone else around them. Win, lose, or draw, these fans have a way of getting under their peers' skin and irritating them time after time. So here, without further ado, are the most annoying fans in sports, as separated by sport.
NFL: Pittsburgh Steelers - I like the Steelers organization. They've always been first-class and produce winning teams year after year after year. However, their fans have gotten the impression that just because their football team is solid, they are better people than those around them. Always making excuses when they lose, and always rubbing it in when they win, Steelers fans are at the top of the list of "most hated fans by other teams' fans." Plus, there always seems to be a throng of bandwagon fans that come out of the woodwork and jumps aboard when PIttsburgh is having a great year. I realize there's nothing the Steeler diehards can do about that, but it doesn't help the image of the whole group, that's for sure.
MLB: Boston Red Sox - This one isn't even close. I know that Yankees fans are sometimes arrogant, but at least they're not in denial. Despite becoming Yankees v2.0, Boston fans like to pretend that they're still underdogs and nobody respects them. They also like to pretend that they're on the opposite end of the spectrum of their hated New York rivals; little do they know their team is just like their neighbors to the south. Player not getting it done? Get rid of him and buy a new one. Team goes on a losing streak? Complain that the manager should be fired regardless of his track record. Their shtick is getting old very fast and nobody in baseball enjoys being surrounded by Red Sox fans...and it has nothing to do with how good their team is. Also hurting the Sox' cause is the fact that everyone in America donned a Boston hat and said "reverse the curse" in 2004, thus making Red Sox Nation a shell of its former self.
NBA: Los Angeles Lakers - This one was tough because there aren't too many NBA diehards anymore. The league itself is in a funk, and team allegiances are suffering as a result. However, that being said, the Lakers have the most annoying fans in the NBA. Due mainly to the fact that they're the ultimate front-runners, the LA faithful (tongue in cheek) will make you believe that they've been fans since the Showtime Lakers days. Riiiiiiight. The only thing worse than the Lakers being good is the Lakers being really, really good, because then you hear about it from people who you never before knew watched the NBA.
NHL: New York Rangers - Honestly, I don't watch a lot of hockey, but I've heard from my hockey-loving friends that Ranger fans are delusional. Despite flaming out in the playoffs year after year after year, New York fans still consider their franchise one of the elite in the league. Remember how the Rangers were supposed to win several cups after finally breaking through in 1994? How has that turned out? Nevertheless, Rangers fans will curse you if you say that another team is better than theirs.
College Football: Notre Dame and Alabama (tie) - A number of teams could have gone in this spot, but Irish fans and Tide fans take the cake. Notre Dame fans are obnoxious, still thinking that their team is a perennial title contender despite the fact they haven't won a bowl game since 1994 ('93 season). Try telling a Notre Dame fan that their program is no longer elite on the field and see what happens. Yes, they still garner more media attention than anyone, so they are elite in terms of status, but their on-field talent is no longer capable of winning a championship. Though, with Mr. Weis around, that might change in a few years. Alabama, on the other hand, is hopeless. Since winning the national championship in 1992, the Crimson Tide has been crippled by NCAA sanctions, losing seasons, sky-high expectations for no reason, and meaningless bowl games. With the return of Nick Saban, Tide fans swear that their team is going to return to glory. Well, considering Saban has only won 10 games once, you might want to temper those expectations a bit. Oh well, we'll be back in this situation again soon, as Tide faithful will begin wondering why there are no SEC titles coming their way, and they'll find a way to annoy Saban to the point that he leaves for another job (he has no buyout clause in his contract. It'll cost nothing for a team to steal him.)
College Basketball: Maryland - Fear the Turtle? Not so much. Unable to capitalize on that 2002 national championship, Maryland has not done much of note ever since. I'm not saying that we are expecting another Terrapin championship team, but a little tournament consistency would be nice. After missing the Big Dance in '05 and '06, the Terps made a return this year -- for two games. Nevertheless, those Maryland folks will tell you that their program is still at a championship level. No, it's not. Oh, and by the way, tell your students to find a little class, and that profanity isn't a necessary component of every single chant and cheer. Thanks.
NASCAR: Dale Earnhardt, Jr. - This one was a no-brainer. Some of the most supportive fans in sports, I admire Dale Jr's fans' passion. However, it's a bit misguided as every one of them, to an individual, will tell you how great of a driver he is and is due for several championships soon. Excuse me? Dale Jr. has yet to win a single championship and didn't even make the Chase for the Cup last season. Before his fans start crowning him the "next big thing," he's going to need to produce a bit more on the track first. I'm not telling you it's wrong to cheer for him, Earnhardt fans, I'm just telling you that he's not a great driver, so quit telling me otherwise over and over again.
IRL: Danica Patrick - As an ardent Indy Racing League fan, I find it annoying when people mention that Patrick is one of the circuit's best drivers. I'm sorry, but in a league with only 18 full-time drivers, being 7th or 8th best is not elite. Quit trying to justify her lack of a win to date, quit trying to explain her still "feeling out her new team." Scott Dixon won a title his first season in the IRL. Sam Hornish changed to Penske Racing and won a title shortly thereafter. I love Danica Patrick; I think she's a good driver and brings a lot of attention to the sport that it otherwise wouldn't get. But she's not one of the League's best drivers, and I don't see how her fans can argue that she is.
Well, that's my lineup. I know that this is sure to cause controversy, but instead of calling me an idiot or criticizing my arguments without a counter-argument, please offer up your reasoning or logic; I'd love to hear it.
