Planted in front of a big screen TV, watching the Bears Defense look like a high school team against the Seahawks pass offense…a simple phrase was uttered, that got the brain working…
“I have a feeling that the Bears can win this if I just focus on it.”
No, that wasn’t some genius line from a studio analyst, although there were plenty of those…nope this was spoken by a fan, watching the game on TV…a thousand miles away from where it was being played. And the thing is, no one in the room batted an eye. No one called him out. No one laughed.
Every one of us has little ticks and superstitions about the games. Some of them involved wearing a particular shirt, outfit or codpiece on game day. But for others it is more subtle.
As a drive starts to go south for your team, you shift in your seat, trying to find that key position on the couch. Much like trying to find the exact spot in a room to get cell phone reception, your body scoots around until, suddenly your team starts moving the ball…you freeze having found the perfect spot.
Before every game, there is a trip to a favorite eatery, a specific meal ordered, a certain table sat at…and if the place of business should be closed, or not open for a certain meal for an abnormal start time…panic overtakes the fan, wondering what they can do to appease the football gods.
As the players make their way up to the line, a low muttering can be heard, “nice and easy, just take what they give you”. No matter the situation, the same phrase is uttered, slowly and methodically…not from a player or a coach, but from the comfort of a couch.
The offense is clicking…the team moving down the field…a touchdown is in sight. The lead looks ready to change hands…a big victory can be felt. Suddenly, someone enters the room to ask a question/refill the dip/clean up a spill when all of a sudden, INTERCEPTION! The shouts raise up, the interloper banished from the room, blamed for all that is wrong with the team.
It is one of the amazing facets of being a fan, that all we do effects what is happening on the field.
When we’re seated in the stadium, screaming our heads off, and the opposing Right Tackle can’t hear the call, and either moves early, or misses the blocking adjustment, allowing a blitzing Linebacker free access to the backfield blowing up the play. That is the height of fan involvement. It is where a fan can truly do some damage, becoming a 12th man on the field(This reference is trademarked by Texas A&M University and cannot be reused without their express written consent).
But when we’re sitting at home, comfy on the couch, what influence do we have?
The answer, as we all know deep down, is none.
The actions of a 31 year-old, sitting on his friend’s couch, drinking a beer and sitting in his lucky position, has no bearing on whether the defense holds on 3rd and 1.
No matter how hard a 10 year-old in Denver hits the arm rest on his chair, the Cutler pass has not more or less chance of completion then if he just sat quietly.
Whether a certain Hawks fan wears his lucky shirt, or just watches the game nude, the Seahawks still have the same probability to win the game.
But, as fans, it’s our duty to do all these things. It is the responsibility of every fan to do whatever they can do to help their team win. If they are at a game, that means they need to scream their lungs out, until they can barely speak above a whisper, and for days later it hurts to talk. When watching the game on TV, every fan still need to do their part.
Here’s how it works…
If a fan believes their actions influence their team, then they do. It might not be a physical thing, meaning that lucky sweater won’t cause the needed fumble…but don’t stop trying. It does help…
The level of commitment, loyalty, and devotion a fan feels towards their team is amazing. A day, week, month, year, lifetime can be ruined by a loss…and feeling helpless to do anything about it is not something most of us want to accept. And so we don’t accept it.
Instead we channel all that energy into all our various superstitions. And that’s a good thing. There are so many things we already don’t have control over in life, and sports is supposed to be an escape from that. Knowing that we can lend a hand in the outcome, or that we are to blame if they lose…well, it’s much better than the alternative.
All our superstitions make it easier for us to be a fan. It allows us to embrace the team, and feel like we’re not just along for the ride. Fans that reach this level no longer refer to a team as “those guys” or “The Texans” instead it’s “We”. You’ve never suited up to play a down, but “We’re gonna have to stop the run to have a chance in this one” is an understood and accepted statement.
And that’s why it’s our duty to do whatever we can to make sure our team wins, because in the end, it makes being a fan a lot of fun. It gives us a sense of belonging to a larger team and community. And in the end, that all helps the team, even if our lucky jersey wasn’t enough to push that field goal through the uprights.
So throw on your lucky jersey, sit in your lucky chair, and ban your dog from the room. Your team is counting on you.
Author's Note: Many of the comments reminded me of a post I did awhile back about appropriate Jersey use. Thought you might like to check it out.
Tori Praver
Jessica White
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Comments (44) Add A Comment
Haha great insight Josh! I always have to watch my beloved Patriots on the downstairs livingroom tv, and when we are in scoring position I always offer to stake my dog in the middle of the street spreadeagled as a sacrifice to the football gods. I wouldnt really do that though..;)
Tracy00214-Is back!
Total Comments (32396)
josh...you speak the words that are in my head but can't come out. my blue track pants and dallas cowboys practise t-shirt must be worn and i must be home to watch it. no bars, in-laws house, friends or brother's home will do.
in the end win or lose. the players get paid but it is us fans who truly cry and cheer.
we must do whatever it takes to ensure our team's success
corridore08
Woodbridge, ON
Total Comments (19)
Tracy - wow...that's some devotion!
corridore08 - Yep, they get paid...and yet we feel all the pain and all the glory...it's great to be a fan.
Josh
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man, why cant i blog like you....................................................................... .......... yet another great blog by the way
*Witness0708* #21
Nowhere, NO
Total Comments (164)
My authentic #4 jersey must be on the entire game and for 30 minutes after it...during the game, my Packer blanket must be covering my legs no matter how hot/cold my place is.
PackBrew42 is…
Miller Brewery, WI
Total Comments (4060)
Witness0709 - Thanks man...I just write what pops into my fat head...
PackBrew - Love the blanket thing...must be brutal during early season games.
Josh
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Meh, I believe what we have here, is a succession in communication.
You read my mind like a book, Josh. I refer to all of my teams as "We".
-LSU Tigers
-UNC Tar Heels
-Boston Red Sox
-Chicago Bulls
-Chicago Bears
-Carolina Panthers
There are days when I am wearing my Sox hat, making crucifixes on the TV screen, "calling" Big Papi's HR and then, BAM! It happens.
There are days when I'm at home, wearing my Urlacher jersey, telling my dad that Grossman is about to toss an INT because he's lined up in a Shotgun formation. And low and behold, ****! He tosses an INT.
I think I have a real deep link to my teams. Sometimes I screw them up. Oops.
Mac is the Demon of…
Fort Hood, TX
Total Comments (9404)
Custom Broncos jersey with "SCHWARTZ" on the back, white for away games blue for home, Buffalo Wild Wings with my boys, 6 Spicy Garlic wings, 6 Hot BBQ at kick off, wedges with cheese at halftime and a side of ranch. With countless beers in between.
Man I miss beer and wings, and since I can't do that this year Denver hasn't done well, it is a fact they have at least 2 more wins if i'm in the states (hey i can dream right).
As for the blog, another great blog from Josh one of the few people that shouldn't be on fannation and should be writing for an actual publication (even if you picked the Titans this week).
BSchwartz07
Shreveport, LA
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"As for the blog, another great blog from Josh one of the few people that shouldn't be on fannation and should be writing for an actual publication."
Uh, I second that notion.
Mac is the Demon of…
Fort Hood, TX
Total Comments (9404)
Mac - I know the feeling man...I haven't owned a Bears jersey since I was 11...had an old school Payton long-sleeved jersey...and when I got tickets for the Super Bowl last year, and then the Bears made it...my Wife bought me a sweet Payton jersey...not one of those cheesy ones, a really nice one. I wore it to the Super Bowl...and they lost. And I've worn it for almost all the games this year as well...I'm beginning to think this thing is cursed.
BSchwartz - Thanks man, that's one of the best compliments I've ever gotten. Means a lot to me. And sorry about your Broncos...I'd pick them on Monday if you were in the States, but I had advance scouting on that one.
Josh
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And Mac - I'll second the Thanks!
Josh
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Dude, I can totally relate. Back when the Cowboys were kicking butt in the 90s, my brother hung a door mat (seriously) on his wall. It looked kind of like Rowdy on HGH. Anyway, he called it his "mojo" and whenever it came down to a key play, say 3rd and goal, we would all start chanting "mojo-mojo-mojo..." actually it was more like yelling. If it worked we all started high fiving and belly bumping. But if it failed we would all look at each other suspiciously wondering who didn't chant "mojo" properly. Today, I just blame my wife for wearing my Cowboys shirt if things go wrong.
iB4e: Pray 4 Ft Hood…
Austin, TX
Total Comments (8509)
I always feel that I can affect the Skins, I just haven't yet figured out what works. I remember a game against the Panthers when they went down 21-0 in the first half of the first half of the first half (That's the first eighth, or 7:50 left in the first quarter), and somehow I knew we'd still win. It wasn't a "we still COULD win," like the usual feeling, but a "we WILL turn this around." Lo and behold, we did. So I feel certain that I have some kind of mental link. Just no control over it.
Well said, Josh.
Dan TM is Stupendous…
Evanston , IL
Total Comments (2072)
Mojo...Mojo...Mojo...
Yeah, superstitions always change when wives and kids come into the picture.
I'm convinced my daughter is my good luck charm. The Year she was born, the White Sox won the world Series. Her second year, the Bears made the Super Bowl. She watched the playoffs in both cases with me. Of course, last year I went to the Super Bowl...and couldn't bring a toddler with me...I have a feeling if I would of watched from home with her, the Bears would of won.
Josh
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I have a DAvid Eckstien Jersey(with WS '06 and New busch stadium patches added to both sleeves now) for Cardinals games(and now I have my WS champs hat and Game 3 ticket in lanyard) and a generalized, unofficial, not uniform but stylish apparently, black and green Packers jersey from like five years ago with the number 99 and the word Packers where the name goes on the Jersey. My sister got me a lucky mug on my last birthday and it is working wonders.
Buddhasillegitimatec…
Pacific , MO
Total Comments (2678)
GEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ...
Josh, another one of your blogs made the main page. Deserving of course.
I need to summon some mojo to create a kick arse blog and take you down baby! lqtm.
Mac is the Demon of…
Fort Hood, TX
Total Comments (9404)
Great blog, Josh. Everything you said is so completely right. Haha.
G.O.A.T. is back?
Scranton, PA
Total Comments (12360)
Budda - Love the wardrobe.
Mac - Staple a door mat to the wall, heard that works for getting the Mojo.
GOAT - thanks man.
Josh
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I always have to have my Favre jersey on during the game (no matter how dirty, unwashed, or wrinkled it may be) and my "got favre?" gold shirt underneath. The one game I didn't wear them this season, they gave up a gimme to the Bears.
Sometimes I call my friends out on the "we" thing, but I'm just as guilty as they are.
jonnyganas
Minneapolis , MN
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jonnyganas - The Bears and I thank you for forgetting the jersey...it was the high point of the season for us.
Josh
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