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So, someone claims they are a Steeler fan.....

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POP

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.....but they don't know the name of every starter....do you consider them a real fan?

I mean, within reason.....maybe if someone got hurt and they didn't realize their replacement's name still passes.

But generally speaking, if you don't know each starter's name, and some of their background, I don't think you are really a legit fan.

For instance, I can only name a few Pen's and Bucco's players....and I will watch/root for them in the postseason (but won't watch regular season games), I really don't call myself "a fan" of either team. I don't own any gear for either of those teams.

I constantly bump into "fans" of other teams, where I know more about their team than they do. I really don't think those "fans" are legit fans.

A real fan at least knows who their starters are; I will cut slack for those who don't know all players' backgrounds, etc. (how acquired, what college they attended) even though I mostly do.
 
POP said:
.....but they don't know the name of every starter....do you consider them a real fan?

I mean, within reason.....maybe if someone got hurt and they didn't realize their replacement's name still passes.

But generally speaking, if you don't know each starter's name, and some of their background, I don't think you are really a legit fan.

For instance, I can only name a few Pen's and Bucco's players....and I will watch/root for them in the postseason (but won't watch regular season games), I really don't call myself "a fan" of either team. I don't own any gear for either of those teams.

I constantly bump into "fans" of other teams, where I know more about their team than they do. I really don't think those "fans" are legit fans.

A real fan at least knows who their starters are; I will cut slack for those who don't know all players' backgrounds, etc. (how acquired, what college they attended) even though I mostly do.
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I would say Yes. To be a real Steeler fan I think you need to make an effort to watch every game within your TV economic budget unless illness, a major social or lifecycle event occurs on the same day.

Steeler fans as a group are more educated than fans of other NFL teams, but I would guess at least 30% can't name all the starting players.

There are various degrees of fans:

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-20-types-of-depressed-sports-fans/

http://epic-design.com/10-types-of-sports-fans-which-one-are-you-2/
 
I don't know about every starter, but, certainly, the big names. I watch most games, but I doubt I know much about each player's personal life, but that is because, when they talk about that ****, I either tune it out or it goes in one ear and out the other. I watch football, not to get to know the players' lives. The detail that makes big news is different, but I don't care that X player missed a game last year because his kid was born.

Once a guy saw my shirt and said he loved the Steelers. I said something about the upcoming game would be tough with so-and-so hurt (I think it was Joey Porter). He said "Who's that"....
 
I agree, which means I'm the only true fan I personally know.
 
SteelerFan448 said:
Yep. I was going to say the same thing about the degrees of fandom. There are a lot of college teams I like and even the one I follow the closest, I still can't always name every starter in the lineup.
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That is true. But college is a little different, although some fans could name every starting position on their team. But even with free agency, the NFL teams tend not to have the same level of player turnover as college teams from season to season.

I have never known every player on any college team, so, to me, that means I am not a huge college fan, although I really do enjoy watching it more and more every year. Down here, college football is King; nothing like in PA.

PITT football is an afterthought. Do they even come close to selling out games? Other colleges put over 100,000+ butts in the seats, every game. The SEC fan base is fervid.
 
Lunar said:
The starters haven't been named yet for 2016.
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But just to prove the point, the REAL fans know what positions are locked up, and who are the players contending for the spots not considered a given.

Watch.

Across the board.

LT - AL
LG - Foster
C - Pouncey
RG- DD
RT - Gilbert
WR1 - AB
QB - Ben
RB - Bell
TE- Green/James
WR2 - Wheaton or Coates

DE1 - Heyward
NT - McCullers to start, Hargrove to see some action most likely
DE2 - Tuitt
CB - Gay
LOLB - Dupree/Moats
ILB - Shazier and Timmons
ROLB - Jones/Deebo
SS - Shark or Davis
FS - Mitchell
CB - Cockring/Burns

Most real fans know all of the above.
 
Now i don't know all the players now, but when the roster is cut down to 53, I will know all the players, and PS players. Like I do every year.
 
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ark steel said:
I don't know about every starter, but, certainly, the big names. I watch most games, but I doubt I know much about each player's personal life, but that is because, when they talk about that ****, I either tune it out or it goes in one ear and out the other. I watch football, not to get to know the players' lives. The detail that makes big news is different, but I don't care that X player missed a game last year because his kid was born.

Once a guy saw my shirt and said he loved the Steelers. I said something about the upcoming game would be tough with so-and-so hurt (I think it was Joey Porter). He said "Who's that"....
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I wasn't trying to say real fans will know a player's zodiac sign or favorite meal, or things like that. I was more referring to "Went to OSU, was acquired with a 4th round draft pick" kind of thing.

Like I said, I often know more about OTHER people's team than they do. But that strictly applies only to the NFL, nothing else.
 
POP said:
I wasn't trying to say real fans will know a player's zodiac sign or favorite meal, or things like that. I was more referring to "Went to OSU, was acquired with a 4th round draft pick" kind of thing.

Like I said, I often know more about OTHER people's team than they do. But that strictly applies only to the NFL, nothing else.
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Gotcha. I doubt I could tell you the colleges of all of the starters. Several, but not all.

I think the bitching that goes on around here might be the only reason I could tell you the round they went in, without looking it up.
 
There is

Diehard Steelers fanatics- Eats breathes sleeps Steelers football. Extremist and always looking for a way to take it one step farther.........
Steelers fanatics- Watches them game in game out, dresses the part goes to games, tailgates, knows the starters and backups.
Casual fans - Know a decent amount about the team, watches them. But not religiously.
Bandwagoners -jump on when they had enough of their team
 
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POP said:
PITT football is an afterthought. Do they even come close to selling out games? Other colleges put over 100,000+ butts in the seats, every game. The SEC fan base is fervid.
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Not, but they also play in a stadium that seats about 18,000 more seats than what they need.
 
POP said:
But just to prove the point, the REAL fans know what positions are locked up, and who are the players contending for the spots not considered a given.

Watch.

Across the board.

LT - AL (he will have competition)
LG - Foster
C - Pouncey
RG- DD
RT - Gilbert
WR1 - AB
QB - Ben
RB - Bell
TE- Green/James
WR2 - Wheaton or Coates

DE1 - Heyward
NT - McCullers to start, Hargrove to see some action most likely
DE2 - Tuitt
CB - Gay
LOLB - Dupree/Moats
ILB - Shazier and Timmons
ROLB - Jones/Deebo
SS - Shark or Davis.... really no Golden ? not sure what team you are watching.....
FS - Mitchell
CB - ****ring/Burns

Most real fans know all of the above.
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I highlighted some things for you to know who will start out of the gates.
 
I guess I'm at an age now where I don't need anyone's permission or approval to call myself a fan.
 
ark steel said:
I don't know about every starter, but, certainly, the big names. I watch most games, but I doubt I know much about each player's personal life, but that is because, when they talk about that ****, I either tune it out or it goes in one ear and out the other. I watch football, not to get to know the players' lives. The detail that makes big news is different, but I don't care that X player missed a game last year because his kid was born.

Once a guy saw my shirt and said he loved the Steelers. I said something about the upcoming game would be tough with so-and-so hurt (I think it was Joey Porter). He said "Who's that"....
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Are you sure he didn't say... "Who Dey"?
 
Going by slashsteel's post...I'd be a Steelers fanatic, now.

Used to be extreme, life changes and the NFL really changed, but...every year I'm here and watching games. Still feel sick next day when we lose...
 
slashsteel said:
There is

Diehard Steelers fanatics- Eats breathes sleeps Steelers football. Extremist and always looking a way to take it one step farther.........
Steelers fanatics- Watches them game in game out, dresses the part goes to games, tailgates, knows the starters and backups.
Casual fans - Know a decent amount about the team, watches them. But not religiously.
Bandwagoners -jump on when they had enough of their team
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Bingo! Can I add one more to this list?

Re-born Pats Fan: Was a fan of another losing team (ex. Falcons) for years and decided to join the Patriots bandwagon and front like they have been a diehard fan for years. They are normally exposed when asked about team history prior to 2001. Can't tell you who was their QB on their first SB appearance or who was the QB before Tom Brady.
 
steelrzgirl said:
Up until about 6 years ago, I could give you the whole roster. Now I just dont care. **** Roger Goodell. #firerogergoodell
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Here. As far as back ups go. I can name Toussiant(sp?), I would still like to see Chickillo pan out as a linebacker. An extremely underrated guy who the casual fan probably won't know is Vince Williams. The guy plays hard and grinds. Big Dan McCullers is another back up I like.


2001-2006 I was a fanatic. 2003 was one of the worst seasons for me as a fan, but getting Ben in the draft was damn worth it. I love football but will only support the Steelers. Goodell is making all these weird rule changes that waters down the game every year. I'm a Pens first, Steelers second, Nailers/Pirates toss up for third guy. I still root for UGA, but not being in college anymore has me eh
 
I've been a fan since the late seventies when I was a kid. There are varying degrees of roster knowledge, mostly based on what's going on in my life at the time. I'll admit I'm nowhere near as into it as I used to be, but I live in Michigan and only once in the last fifteen years have I went an entire season without making it to a game(Last year). Honestly I don't care to get into a name more players argument with anyone, it doesn't mean **** to me anyways. I watch every game I can, that's good enough for me.
 
I think some situations can affect the degree of our Fandom. I've been a big fan of the Pitt Panthers since I was a kid living in Pgh. But I couldn't see them on TV that much when they were still in the Big East after moving to Georgia. I had to read about them online and catch them on ESPN when it was a National game. Once they moved to the ACC and got more TV exposure, I was able to follow the players in the online articles, recognize their faces more than before and watch on tv the bias Ref calls on the court vs. Duke and UNC.
 
What if you were born in a state besides Pennsylvania? Is this person a "true" fan or no?

Does one chose to be fan or is it something that one does not control?
 
steelreeling said:
What if you were born in a state besides Pennsylvania? Is this person a "true" fan or no?

Does one chose to be fan or is it something that one does not control?
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No. Im native to Arizona. My parents and a jillion of their hippie dippie friends and cousins made a mass exit of Aliquippa for Tucson, AZ in 1971. Not only was there not a team in Arizona, its not optional in my family. Pens, Pirates, Steelers or take another last name.

Plus, I know lots of folks my age who fell in love with the Steelers in the 70s. Who wouldnt? I now often encourage my fellow Houstonians to jump on board, because Jesus, who wants to root for the Texans? That **** aint never gonna happen.
 
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