True Fans and Bandwagon Fans

Crimson Warrior

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man, how long does it take for Sunday 12 pm cst to get here? :D

I keep thinking about jeff blake throwing the game ball to the folks in the endzone,

and DJ taking a victory lap with farves last pass attempt outstretched towards the lodge seats.

I heard a couple of times that, during the game, these two players were looking at the fans, gesturing, trying to get them fired up.

Do you think the 25k that showed up at SDS to pull for the cards appreciated this? Do you think those same 25k appreciated the spirited effort? the gutsy catches over the middle, or tireless run support by the secondary? The way the dline got the ball back for us right after we turned it over in the first quarter?

I'd say the appreciation factor was about a 15 on the scale of 1-10. To the cards fans who followed the team through the offseason, and who held their breath on every play last week against GB, this win was like gatorade to a man walking in the desert.

and whats funny is the players seem to sense that. They seem to understand how hungry this core group of fans are for wins.

I believe they appreciate true fans. And the good lord knows, the 25k at SDS on sunday, and the 10 or 15k around the nation that watched in sports bars or on direct tv are about as true as possible. unflaggingly loyal, never say die, throw ourselves on a hand grenade to save the lives of our offensive linemen. it is amazing how much this core group has suffered, yet, they have persevered.

Now take your average bandwagon fan. You know, the 69,879th ticket sold to that last game against SD in 1998.

The ones who go to the game if the temperature is less than 90, and they're sure they can carpool to the game. The ones who pull for the cowboys or steelers or rams on sunday when the cardinals have, with another loss, assured themselves of a losing season.

Do you think these guys appreciate jeff blake diving into the endzone? or gramatica kicking the ball inside the five?

Nope instead they look over at their fellow car pooler/bandwagoner and say "nice play." "now who is number 85 for us?"

they buy that 69,879th ticket because its fashionable, or because their bored, or because they think the cards are " a good story" this year. They disappear into the woodwork once the season is over or the cards go below .500.

Bandwagon fans are a necessary evil. They put $ in the coffers, which, presumbably go to buy free agents and extend contracts. We need them.

But oh how I loath them :D . because they don't deserve to experience the cardinals successes! How can we respect their opinion or accept them as part of us when they didn't go through the tough times like we did? :D How can you put a cardinals antenna ball on your car only after a four game cards win streak?

When the cards go on to win the superbowl someday, to me, the only opinions that will count will be those 40k (or so) cards fans nationwide that lived and died with each play this past sunday. Everybody will be welcome at the superbowl party, but the bandwagoners will just be guests at a family gathering

:stupid:
 
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Renz

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Don't hate them, Crimson. Pity them. They will never know the profound joy that we experience with each Cardinal victory. When the Cardinals win the Super Bowl they won't know the euphoria and deep satisfaction that the true, die-hard fan will know. They won't lie awake half the night going over every play and spend the next day searching newspapers and the internet for any article about the team. Theirs will be a hollow victory.

Yes, pity the fair weather fan. For only by enduring the suffering of the true fan can we enjoy that final, great reward.
 
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Crimson Warrior

Crimson Warrior

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Originally posted by Renz
Don't hate them, Crimson. Pity them. They will never know the profound joy that we experience with each Cardinal victory. When the Cardinals win the Super Bowl they won't know the euphoria and deep satisfaction that the true, die-hard fan will know. They won't lie awake half the night going over every play and spend the next day searching newspapers and the internet for any article about the team. Theirs will be a hollow victory.

Yes, pity the fair weather fan. For only by enduring the suffering of the true fan can we enjoy that final, great reward.

wow! what a great take renz. you rock man.
 

phillycard

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There will be so many Cardinal fans once we finally win a Bowl. They'll say with a sorry ass grin on their face"Hey, I've always been a Cardinal fan!!" I wish there was some way to determine who the diehards and who the bandwagoners are. It sickened me to see how eveyone jumped on the Rams bandwagon once they won. But those of us who've suffered years of hurt will truly know the taste of victory when it comes
 

ajcardfan

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Originally posted by phillycard
There will be so many Cardinal fans once we finally win a Bowl. They'll say with a sorry ass grin on their face"Hey, I've always been a Cardinal fan!!" I wish there was some way to determine who the diehards and who the bandwagoners are. It sickened me to see how eveyone jumped on the Rams bandwagon once they won. But those of us who've suffered years of hurt will truly know the taste of victory when it comes

Are you Deric? If so, I know you're no bandwagon fan!
 

arthurracoon

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Originally posted by Renz
Don't hate them, Crimson. Pity them. They will never know the profound joy that we experience with each Cardinal victory. When the Cardinals win the Super Bowl they won't know the euphoria and deep satisfaction that the true, die-hard fan will know. They won't lie awake half the night going over every play and spend the next day searching newspapers and the internet for any article about the team. Theirs will be a hollow victory.

Yes, pity the fair weather fan. For only by enduring the suffering of the true fan can we enjoy that final, great reward.

:thumbup:
 
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Crimson Warrior

Crimson Warrior

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Originally posted by phillycard
I wish there was some way to determine who the diehards and who the bandwagoners are.

some kind of x-ray machine that could separate the faithful from the fashionable.

muuahahahahaha...:D
 

Divide Et Impera

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Originally posted by Crimson Warrior
some kind of x-ray machine that could separate the faithful from the fashionable.

muuahahahahaha...:D

When has it ever been "fashionable" to be a Cards fan? Every time I wear my Cards gear out, I always get people who come up to me and say, "Wow. I've never met a Cards fan."
 

Sandan

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You have to give Cheesie credit as well. He drove over here and was screaming with the rest of us.
 

Brian in Mesa

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Awesome post, Crimson.

The diehards definitely have a connection with the players.

Through the tough times, we in Section 37, drew the attention of Larry Centers. We made up "Section 37 for 37" signs and chanted "Larry, Larry, Larry!" every game. He even mentioned the fans in the South Endzone specifically once in an interview and would often run over to our Section and toss a football into the stands.

The players definitely respect those of us that are right there with them at every home game.

Again, awesome post Crimson.

Diehards unite!!!

Go Cards!!!
 

KingofCards

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Originally posted by Crimson Warrior
Everybody will be welcome at the superbowl party, but the bandwagoners will just be guests at a family gathering



:thumbup:
 

dylanbw

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Tremendous post!

...Great job, Crimson. While I spend much time lurking at this site, the great posts truly deserve a response. No doubt Mr. B appreciates the extra $$ from the fair-weather fans, but to me, its clowns like us who agonize all off-season over weather or not Fred Wakefield can improve his burst off the line, or if Chris Dishman can shed a pound (he actually played fairly well vs. GB, I thought) that put a smile on my face.

To know that I am not alone when I stare at the ceiling at night wondering, "How the F did we turn the ball over our 1st 4 drives vs. Seattle" is truly a great comfort. The fair-weather fan knows a good night sleep regardless of any 38-bagel outcome, but alas, he will never know the sheer cheeks (facial, not buttocks)-hurting joy of the inevitable Cards SB victory. Deep down, he will know he did not "earn" it like the true, long-suffering bastards that live and die with each missed block or blown coverage.

Very cool to see that sh^t eating grin on Jeff Blake's face on that heavenly DirecTV Sunday Ticket (what a bargain!) as he threw that ball into teh stands and glad-handed the fans. Oh, to not be 2500+ miles from such unmitigated happiness.

All you AZ Cards Fans keep getting your butts in the stands, as it seems to be clear that these players do appreciate (and respond to) the efforts and enthusiasm shown by the real, the starving, AZ Cardinals Fans.

To all you "die-hards", keep up the great work.

Your East Coast brethren,

Dylan

Deric - How is Aeneas doing? Are you struggling with the "force him to become a Cards Fan vs. let nature take its course" decision like I am with my son (he's only 1 but this is important!)? The high risk of potential Cowboys, Giants, Jets, Eagles, etc, fandom in our area(s) is very scary. Guess you have to let them make their own choice. Damn!
 

Luis Sharpe

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Originally posted by Seeds Of Hate
When has it ever been "fashionable" to be a Cards fan? Every time I wear my Cards gear out, I always get people who come up to me and say, "Wow. I've never met a Cards fan."

Last night I had a big party and happened to be wearing a Cardinal polo shirt, I got so many Wow your a Cards fan and a what team is that comments, it was funny.

I always question Bucaneer Fans when I see them, because if they are long time fans then you know they must have alot of fun rooting for there team now. I cant wait till the Cards can do the same.
 

SECTION 11

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Originally posted by Crimson Warrior
give credit to cheesie?


absolutely. he's travelled six hours from LA TWICE so far this season/preseason to see them. dude stays for the whole game. not too much you could really ask for.
 

phillycard

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Originally posted by ajcardfan
Are you Deric? If so, I know you're no bandwagon fan!


Hey AJ!!! Yeah it''s me!! I hadn't rapped to you in a minute. How ya been?? Glad you're on this board.
 

Cardinals.Ken

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It was a nice feeling back in '98 filling all the bandwagon-fans in on who our guys were, and who looked good all season long.

I know more than a few people who want to believe, and when they take the plunge (die-hard or bandwasgon) I'll be happy to usher them along in all things Cardinal.

Especially the semi-cute drunk chicks...they're always yummy!
 

KingofCards

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Me and my brother just verbally-abused some guy in our local bar for dogging on the Cards to our wifes.

This a fairly smallplace, but it has a decent booth space and a bar.

Our wifes are down at the end playing the game they play while were rooting on ASU. And start hearing "Bidwill this, and Bidwill that, I'm a '49ers and Raiders fan, because they have ownership that wants to win. I root for the Cards occasionaly."

Click. My mouth starts. My brothers mouth starts. We are wearing Cardinals hats, we are wearing Cardinals shirts.

I say " Anyone that starts talking crap about the Cards with our women, when two diehards are sitting here is a *****. Its like us pissing in the womens bathroom and discussing tampon preference." (No offense meant to the Women on this board, at all, our wifes were holding their own. As would you all.)

"When did you root for the Cards? 1998?"

"I bet you loved the Rams when they won. You were a Giants fan in '86 and a Bears fan in '85. I bet you loved ASU in '96..." and on and on.

He tried to ignore us, while making what I call "excuses" that he isn't a Cardinal fan again to our wives.

We start chanting "Bidwill rules, Bidwill rules."

His buddy decides time for him to leave. He came back trying to start a fight and I said "Sir if verbal attacks make you behave in this manner than you need to see an anger managment counsler, and I am scared for your family." :D

That bar is a Cardinals Bar. I treat that bar as if I am in the Stadium in my seats. No fights but brutal humor.

I softened our comments up for the board but anyone that has met me and my brother know it was brutal humor. :D
 
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Crimson Warrior

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Re: Tremendous post!

Originally posted by dylanbw
...Great job, Crimson. While I spend much time lurking at this site, the great posts truly deserve a response. No doubt Mr. B appreciates the extra $$ from the fair-weather fans, but to me, its clowns like us who agonize all off-season over weather or not Fred Wakefield can improve his burst off the line, or if Chris Dishman can shed a pound (he actually played fairly well vs. GB, I thought) that put a smile on my face.


All you AZ Cards Fans keep getting your butts in the stands, as it seems to be clear that these players do appreciate (and respond to) the efforts and enthusiasm shown by the real, the starving, AZ Cardinals Fans.

To all you "die-hards", keep up the great work.

Your East Coast brethren,

Dylan


thank you sir, and to everyone, for your praise. I put my heart and soul in that post... but anyway

I agree with you about dishman. I was really hard on him after the detroit game, and now I feel bad. But the level of his play has increased. His pass protection has always been decent.

There seem to be quite a few cards fans on this board that are in NJ, which is curious. other states in the NE would not appear to have such a strong cards following.
 
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