Patriot Fan Poll (1 Viewer)

[JohnnyU]

Just curious when folks became a fan of the Patriots. Does it have more to do with recent success?

For the record, I believe there are more Colts bandwagon jumpers than Patriots. Somehow I doubt there were too many Colts fans in the 80s and 90s, so don't be ashamed to admit you started liking the Pats after 2001.

 

[Ron_Mexico]

I was sitting on the aluminum ice block

benches in the endzone of Schaeffer Stadium

when I was 11 years old (the same year Carlton Fisk hit the HR against the Reds),

watching Randy Vataha, Mini Mack Herron, John Hannah, Russ Francis,

Sam the Bam Cunningham, Steve Grogan and the rest of my Patriots get

their ###es handed to them week in and week out.

 

[phthalatemagic]

I was sitting on the aluminum ice blockbenches in the endzone of Schaeffer Stadiumwhen I was 11 years old watching Randy Vataha,Mini Mack Herron, John Hannah, Russ Francis,Sam the Bam Cunningham, Steve Grogan and the rest of my Patriots gettheir ###es handed to them week in and week out.

EVERYONE is an old-timer. That's why the Patriots had such great attendance and TV ratings in the dark days.

 

[southeastjerome]

Just a point, being the rare lifelong Bostonian/non Pats fan, the Pats really got a big boost in popularity during their Bledsoe/Parcells super bowl run in 1997. And it just exploded from there. There were a decent amount of Pats fans before that, but the Pats fanatic was rare, and now its obviously very commonplace. I have seen many jump on the bandwagon obviously. One of my friends was a lifelong Lions fan and he switched to being a Pats fan last year at the age of 29. I don't understand how anyone can switch loyalties at this point. I am a lifelong fan of the original Boston football team, the Redskins, and still am (Gramps was a of the Boston Redskins, so is my Pops, etc). It is really annoying being around all these Pats fans, but hey, at least I am loyal. And fortunately I am a Red Sox fan.

 

[massraider]

I expect the honesty of the poll answers to be about the same one might expect from a "Do you masterbate?" quiz at a local high school.

How many folks do you think would come forward to proudly proclaim being a bandwagon jumper?

This is not to disparage Pats fans, I certainly don't think they are alone in having their fair share of bandwagon fans. It happens to every team. Man, I was tripping over 49er fans when Montana/Young was there. Now? Not so much.

I always thought the Pats were the 3rd place team in Boston anyway. Sox first and foremost, and the Bruins 2nd actually. The Pats are 1A right now, but they were 4th not too long ago, during the Bird/McHale Celtic teams. Boy, you want to talk about a bandwagon clearing out fast. Once Reggie lewis died, Celtic tickets went from the hottest ticket in town to toilet paper overnight.

 

[southeastjerome]

I was sitting on the aluminum ice blockbenches in the endzone of Schaeffer Stadiumwhen I was 11 years old watching Randy Vataha,Mini Mack Herron, John Hannah, Russ Francis,Sam the Bam Cunningham, Steve Grogan and the rest of my Patriots gettheir ###es handed to them week in and week out.

EVERYONE is an old-timer. That's why the Patriots had such great attendance and TV ratings in the dark days.

So true. I give credit to the Pats fan who admits they did not start rooting for them until after they became competitive. Because no doubt the Pats were the the 4th team in this town and now they are the co number one team with the Red Sox.

 

[JohnnyU]

I expect the honesty of the poll answers to be about the same one might expect from a "Do you masterbate?" quiz at a local high school.How many folks do you think would come forward to proudly proclaim being a bandwagon jumper?This is not to disparage Pats fans, I certainly don't think they are alone in having their fair share of bandwagon fans. It happens to every team. Man, I was tripping over 49er fans when Montana/Young was there. Now? Not so much.I always thought the Pats were the 3rd place team in Boston anyway. Sox first and foremost, and the Bruins 2nd actually. The Pats are 1A right now, but they were 4th not too long ago, during the Bird/McHale Celtic teams. Boy, you want to talk about a bandwagon clearing out fast. Once Reggie lewis died, Celtic tickets went from the hottest ticket in town to toilet paper overnight.

Hell, I know there are probably more Colts bandwagon jumpers than Patriots. I remember not many people liking the Colts in the 80's and 90's Now look at them come out of the wood work.

 

[The Shizzle]

I started about 5th grade when our school had us make Squish the Fish and Bury the Bears posters during their Super Bowl run in 1985.

 

[southeastjerome]

I expect the honesty of the poll answers to be about the same one might expect from a "Do you masterbate?" quiz at a local high school.

How many folks do you think would come forward to proudly proclaim being a bandwagon jumper?

This is not to disparage Pats fans, I certainly don't think they are alone in having their fair share of bandwagon fans. It happens to every team. Man, I was tripping over 49er fans when Montana/Young was there. Now? Not so much.

I always thought the Pats were the 3rd place team in Boston anyway. Sox first and foremost, and the Bruins 2nd actually. The Pats are 1A right now, but they were 4th not too long ago, during the Bird/McHale Celtic teams. Boy, you want to talk about a bandwagon clearing out fast. Once Reggie lewis died, Celtic tickets went from the hottest ticket in town to toilet paper overnight.

I wouldn't say the fans jumped off the celtics bandwagon, I dont think the fans ever left. Did fewer fans go to the games, yes? Did fewer fans follow them, maybe slightly. In baseball and basketball, winning always dictates fan attendance. I remember some of the bad years of the 90s for the Red Sox tickets were a breeze to get. Does that mean people weren't fans? No. People would basically just complain about the Celtics for a while and rightfully so. But its not like half of Boston jumped ship and all of a sudden became Bulls fans. With the Patriots, many people here were fans of other teams before they were Pats fans and/or had little interest in the NFL until the Pats became a winning organization. In fact, I'd say the Pats were 4th in Boston up until Parcells came.

 

[massraider]

I expect the honesty of the poll answers to be about the same one might expect from a "Do you masterbate?" quiz at a local high school.

How many folks do you think would come forward to proudly proclaim being a bandwagon jumper?

This is not to disparage Pats fans, I certainly don't think they are alone in having their fair share of bandwagon fans. It happens to every team. Man, I was tripping over 49er fans when Montana/Young was there. Now? Not so much.

I always thought the Pats were the 3rd place team in Boston anyway. Sox first and foremost, and the Bruins 2nd actually. The Pats are 1A right now, but they were 4th not too long ago, during the Bird/McHale Celtic teams. Boy, you want to talk about a bandwagon clearing out fast. Once Reggie lewis died, Celtic tickets went from the hottest ticket in town to toilet paper overnight.

I wouldn't say the fans jumped off the celtics bandwagon, I dont think the fans ever left. Did fewer fans go to the games, yes? Did fewer fans follow them, maybe slightly. In baseball and basketball, winning always dictates fan attendance. I remember some of the bad years of the 90s for the Red Sox tickets were a breeze to get. Does that mean people weren't fans? No. People would basically just complain about the Celtics for a while and rightfully so. But its not like half of Boston jumped ship and all of a sudden became Bulls fans. With the Patriots, many people here were fans of other teams before they were Pats fans and/or had little interest in the NFL until the Pats became a winning organization. In fact, I'd say the Pats were 4th in Boston up until Parcells came.

I think Celts fans jumped off the bandwagon so fast, they left skid marks. During the Bird years, you could find articles talking about how season tickets had to be willed to grandchildren and such, the stuff you might read in a Green Bay newspaper. After 30 years of success only rivaled by the Globetrotters, in the space of one year, you could get season tickets with ease.Now, a downturn is to be expected with a bad team, but one would think after such a long and stored history, the team might have bought a bigger grace period.

 

[Nigel]

Grew up in Foxboro, fan as long back as I can remembr. My Dad worked for them in the 70s and 80s, took several vacations as a kid to the Sullivan family's retreat on the Cape. I was a ballboy for some of the awful early 80s teams. Got to go on some roadtrips with them and stayed at Bryant College in the dorms with them during training camps. Saw some wild stuff.

My allegiance has never wavered.

 

[David Yudkin]

For people that insist I am a diehard Pats fan, I am a long time Cowboys fan (since the Steelers/Cowboys days of the 70s). But I started following/watching the Pats when I moved to the area in 1985 during their SB run.

 

[southeastjerome]

I expect the honesty of the poll answers to be about the same one might expect from a "Do you masterbate?" quiz at a local high school.

How many folks do you think would come forward to proudly proclaim being a bandwagon jumper?

This is not to disparage Pats fans, I certainly don't think they are alone in having their fair share of bandwagon fans. It happens to every team. Man, I was tripping over 49er fans when Montana/Young was there. Now? Not so much.

I always thought the Pats were the 3rd place team in Boston anyway. Sox first and foremost, and the Bruins 2nd actually. The Pats are 1A right now, but they were 4th not too long ago, during the Bird/McHale Celtic teams. Boy, you want to talk about a bandwagon clearing out fast. Once Reggie lewis died, Celtic tickets went from the hottest ticket in town to toilet paper overnight.

I wouldn't say the fans jumped off the celtics bandwagon, I dont think the fans ever left. Did fewer fans go to the games, yes? Did fewer fans follow them, maybe slightly. In baseball and basketball, winning always dictates fan attendance. I remember some of the bad years of the 90s for the Red Sox tickets were a breeze to get. Does that mean people weren't fans? No. People would basically just complain about the Celtics for a while and rightfully so. But its not like half of Boston jumped ship and all of a sudden became Bulls fans. With the Patriots, many people here were fans of other teams before they were Pats fans and/or had little interest in the NFL until the Pats became a winning organization. In fact, I'd say the Pats were 4th in Boston up until Parcells came.

I think Celts fans jumped off the bandwagon so fast, they left skid marks. During the Bird years, you could find articles talking about how season tickets had to be willed to grandchildren and such, the stuff you might read in a Green Bay newspaper. After 30 years of success only rivaled by the Globetrotters, in the space of one year, you could get season tickets with ease.Now, a downturn is to be expected with a bad team, but one would think after such a long and stored history, the team might have bought a bigger grace period.

Again, ticket sales for NBA and MLB teams are largely dictated by the success or failures of that given team. Hence why it was impossible to get Celtics tickets during the early/mid 80's and why it was easy to get them in the 90's. People didn't stop being fans of the celtics, were fans less intense? Of course. Its difficult to keep up rabid fanhood over a 24 win 82 game season. Again, its not like we all became Bulls fans or something. Its different with the Pats, when the Pats were the 4th team here, they were the 4th team because they really didn't have many fans, passive or active. The Celtics fan base never really went away, but they did become less active. The Patriots fandom that you see now is mostly new fans (post Parcells) rather than passive fans waiting for their team to become competitive.

 

[greenline]

I grew up watching them. The first significant time I can remember that I actually had a vested interest was the Squish the Fish AFC playoff game in Miami in I think 1985. I was 6 years old.

 

[phthalatemagic]

Just as I suspected. Everyone is an old timer. GB those filled stands at Sullivan...

 

[Dickie Dunn]

Pats fan since 1976, so I've definitely seen the ebbs and flows of popularity through the years.

People forget that the team was wildly popular in the late '70s. The NFL was growing and the Pats regularly were in the playoffs or in contention. The team was young and exciting, and the concrete bowl was banged out every week, despite the horror stories.

Things got a little lean in the early '80s, but the Super Bowl run brought people out of their shell for a few years. The late Berry/Rust/McPherson years almost killed the franchise, and even the first year of Bledsoe/Parcells wasn't the draw everyone thought it was, because of the serious threat the team was on its way out. Even that crazy season-ending OT win over the Dolphins, people were thinking that was going to be the last game in Foxboro.

It wasn't until Kraft bought the team that things stabilized to where they are now.

Having lived here my whole life, I can honestly say that the Patriots always seemed to be the team of choice for most. I think it's just the degree to which people vocalize/show their support that has exploded in recent years. I'm not sure that's the true definition of a "bandwagon" fan or not. It's not like most people I know were rooting for the Steelers or Dolphins and jumped ship. I can't say the same for other parts of the country though.

(To me, a true definition of a "bandwagon fan" is when my alma mater went to the Final Four. Politicians who never cared about the state university and people who couldn't find Amherst on a map suddenly were angling to be seen at the games. Oddly enough, they all disappeared when the success dried up. Go figure.)

 

[GregR_2]

Just curious when folks became a fan of the Patriots. Does it have more to do with recent success?For the record, I believe there are more Colts bandwagon jumpers than Patriots. Somehow I doubt there were too many Colts fans in the 80s and 90s, so don't be ashamed to admit you started liking the Pats after 2001.

But do be ashamed to admit you like the Colts, no matter when it started happening.

 

[Statler & Waldorf]

I grew up a few towns over from Foxboro so I've been a Pat's fan all my life. I became a die hard fanatic once Parcells/Bledsoe arrived. That probably had more to do with my age than the their arrival, but I could be wrong.

 

[TD Ryan]

I was too young to really be a "fan" of the 70s Pats teams.

Sure, I knew Grogan, Hannah, and the tragedy that was Darryl Stingley.

I didn't quite understand why Jim Plunkett was important.

And Lynn Swann was my favorite football player along with Fred Lynn in baseball... makes sense really.

I remember the Colts and Pats playing in their own version of the ToiletBowl too to go along with the blackouts.

I didn't go to games as a kid; it really wasn't a place for kids (or even families) back then...

'85 was probably the big year to get on the Pats bandwagon and really, if you're measuring "fan support" by season ticket sales, you should look to the Parcells (and Bledsoe) era in the 90s. I believe that was when the season tickets started really selling.

Love 'em or hate 'em... Patriot Nation took off when Parcells came to town.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

And Lynn Swann was my favorite football player along with Fred Lynn in baseball... makes sense really.

This is the answer to one of my favorite trivia questions.And you're right about the Parcells era being the beginning of the current surge. But as I said, people still were skeptical in '93 because of all the talk about leaving town for St. Louis. That was when Orthwein still owned the team, so things didn't settle until Kraft rode in to the rescue the next year.

 

[phthalatemagic]

People forget that the team was wildly popular in the late '70s. The NFL was growing and the Pats regularly were in the playoffs or in contention.

You guys didn't share that memo with Ron Mexico. He said Grogan's teams got their asses handed to them week in and week out. (I guess it's all a matter of degree)

 

[TD Ryan]

so things didn't settle until Kraft rode in to the rescue the next year.

well aware of the trivia question. And I believe Kraft also threatened to move the team when he first bought it... I don't remember all the details. There was a battle between Kraft and the local government over infrastructure at the stadium, etc... the rumors were that he'd move the team to Rhode Island (or Conn.).After the fact, lots of the writers claimed Kraft was bluffing the whole time but got what he wanted.again... details are sketchy... but I don't think it was a nice and tidy the minute Kraft got here.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

People forget that the team was wildly popular in the late '70s. The NFL was growing and the Pats regularly were in the playoffs or in contention.

You guys didn't share that memo with Ron Mexico. He said Grogan's teams got their asses handed to them week in and week out. (I guess it's all a matter of degree)

1976: 11-3 (lost to Raiders in the infamous "roughing-the-passer" game)1977: 9-51978: 11-5 (lost to Oilers in playoffs)1979: 9-71980: 10-6They collapsed in '81 and went 2-14, but bounced back to make the 16-team playoff extravaganza in the following strike season. In fact, '81 was their only losing season from '76 until Berry's last season in 1989.They also averaged more than 50,000 fans a season from 1971-81, with most of those seasons in the higher range ... including 60K + in 1972 and '74, seasons in which they went 3-11 and 7-7, respectively with Plunkett at QB.

 

[Boston]

I would tend to think the Boston area has the least amount of fans who root for teams outside of the home team. This area is incredibly provincial and not rooting for the home team is quite often frowned upon. There are some oldtimers who root for the Giants in football because they used to be considered the local team team pre-Patriots. There's also some Yankee fans around and if you want to point to bandwagon fans that's a good place to start. There's also a sprinkling of Braves fans for those old enough to be around during the time of the Boston Braves. Outside of that those who don't root for the local team are either transplanted college students or those who happened to get onto a bandwagon of a very good team during another era like the Cowboys or Bulls.

As far as the Patriots go many really don't have a clue about the history of the franchise. Besides having had some real bad years they also played in a stadium that not only was beyond second rate it was also somewhat dangerous. It was not a place where either a kid or a woman could feel overly comfortable in. It was a drunkfest where obnoxious behavior was par for the course. It was so bad that the town of Foxboro would not allow the Pats to host a Monday night game because it would get so out of control. If you were looking to watch a good fight Foxboro in th 70's was a great place to go.

When Kraft bought the team he made a concerted effort to not only improve the team on the field but also make Foxboro a place where normal people didn't feel out of place. That combined with the Tuna hiring the year before and the drafting of Drew Bledsoe was the beginning of the transformation of the Patriots from a hack organization to an organization that is run as well as any in professional sports. As for "bandwagon fans" the Patriots like ANY OTHER WINNING FRANCHISE has their share. Locally these people are known as the "Pink Hats." The name actually started in reference to some Red Sox fans. The name generally refers to women who jump on the bandwagon and start buying team clothing once they get good but now means all bandwagoners. Since both the Pats and Sox have been very good for awhile the Pink Hat brigade has grown. Yet, to think the Pats didn't have a loyal following prior to the Kraft era is generally an attempt by Patriot-bashers in their never-ending attempt to minimize the recent success of this franchise. The Pats have always had a staunch following, even during the darkest of days (and there were plenty). Yet, unlike other areas of the country where they're just happy to have a team many Boston fans will not sit back and be taken advantage of. Much like the Bruins of today with ownership that doesn't care about the fans the Patriots pre-Kraft did not always give their best. Due to that there were some years where fans basically gave the team the bird but remained loyal (which is exactly what is going on with the Bruins). They were still Pariot fans but were waiting for the team to make the relationship a partnership which is exactly what Kraft has done and the results speak for themself.

 

[TD Ryan]

People forget that the team was wildly popular in the late '70s. The NFL was growing and the Pats regularly were in the playoffs or in contention.

You guys didn't share that memo with Ron Mexico. He said Grogan's teams got their asses handed to them week in and week out. (I guess it's all a matter of degree)

you post in a lot of Patriot threads.Grogan's team did get their asses handed to them in the early 80's.Grogan himself got his ### handed to him but he did it with a linebacker mentality so it was sometimes fun to watch.what's this memo you're talking about?

 

[AnonymousBob]

I don't care for them but there is absolutely nothing wrong with becoming a fan of a team after they start winning. You really think the Cowboys would have become America's team had they been terrible? People like winners, even long after they stop winning.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

For people that insist I am a diehard Pats fan, I am a long time Cowboys fan (since the Steelers/Cowboys days of the 70s). But I started following/watching the Pats when I moved to the area in 1985 during their SB run.

How could you not be a Cowboys fan, you know what I'm saying!Anyway, I never liked the Patriots until Brady was the starter there. Tom Brady went to the University of Michigan, I always enjoyed watching him in the Big House and that carried over for at least hoping and rooting for him to do well. Same can be said for me about the Colts. I couldn't stand people saying Manning couldn't win the big one and always thought he was just a great athlete at Tennessee so I rooted for him and have rooted for him since he's been with the Colts.It just so happens both of those players have had a tremendous impact on their football teams in the pros and those teams have become very popular because of it.

 

[pats3in4]

Grew up in the Boston suburbs. Became a Pats fan in 1984 when I really started appreciating (read: "getting") the strategy aspect of football. The Pats were firmly entrenched as my favorite local team probably around 1986 or 1987. Didn't have the means to attend games on a regular basis, so I attended a few preseason games and two regular season games before I moved to CA in 1992. Football being on Sundays is a Godsend for a transplant, for I've missed very few games on TV since then (unlike the multitude of Sox and Celts games mid-week at 4:00 or 4:30pm PT...still during my workday) and has allowed me to keep close tabs on my team. Looking forward to 2008 when the Pats come to the west coast four times.

I will admit I'm a Celtics bandwagon fan, but only a Celtics bandwagon fan; I would not jump on any other team's bandwagon and start buying up all their crap and memorizing every player's stats.

 

[porkins]

I started about 5th grade when our school had us make Squish the Fish and Bury the Bears posters during their Super Bowl run in 1985.

Wrong.It was Berry the Bears. (Raymond Berry)

As for me - Season ticket holder since 98.

Didn't really start watching any sports till I was in my 20's.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

so things didn't settle until Kraft rode in to the rescue the next year.

well aware of the trivia question. And I believe Kraft also threatened to move the team when he first bought it... I don't remember all the details. There was a battle between Kraft and the local government over infrastructure at the stadium, etc... the rumors were that he'd move the team to Rhode Island (or Conn.).After the fact, lots of the writers claimed Kraft was bluffing the whole time but got what he wanted.again... details are sketchy... but I don't think it was a nice and tidy the minute Kraft got here.

Sure, there were some contentious times under Kraft. He had a stadium proposal in Southie and all he wanted was public $$$ for infrastructure, but the legislature stonewalled him. Same deal originally when he made a proposal for Foxboro, on land he already owned.But it wasn't really a bluff. Kraft actually struck a deal for the new stadium that eventually became a scaled-down Rentschler Field in East Hartford. There was a press conference and everything. But they were never comfortable with it and, citing dissatisfaction with the progress on the project, they used a carefully designed out clause to escape the deal once the NFL and other businesses put the pressure on the Massachusetts pols to get something done. Kraft took a loan and used his own money to build what is now Gillette, and the NFL paid off Connecticut to avoid lawsuits.It would have been interesting to see just how alienated the longtime fan base (and trust me, it existed ... contrary to the belief of the bandwagon theorists here) would have been if the move had been completed, and what the status of the franchise would be today. This all happened less than 10 years ago, but before Belichick, Brady and the Super Bowl era.

 

[BelichicksRevenge]

Starting watching the Pats in early 70's. First players I remember were Plunkett, Vataha, Hannah, Mack Herron and Sam "Bam" Cunningham. Fell in love with them in 1976 when Steve Grogan, Russ Francis, Steve Nelson, Hannah, Cunningham, Andy Johnson and Stingley brought them to the playoffs. Between 76 and 2001 there were many many more lows than high. The Sullivans were terrible owners, the old staduim was a joke, and most of their coaches were terrible. What has happened to the team is a miracle and I am savoring every second of it because I know it can't last forever.

 

[IvanKaramazov]

A more interesting poll would be to ask Patriot haters when they started hating the Patriots. For me, it was immediately after the SB win against the Rams, when their toolish fans refused to admit that they were even the slightest bit fortunate to beat a clearly superior team, but I'm other Patriot-haters have had their own conversion experiences that they'd like to share.

 

[phthalatemagic]

People forget that the team was wildly popular in the late '70s. The NFL was growing and the Pats regularly were in the playoffs or in contention.

You guys didn't share that memo with Ron Mexico. He said Grogan's teams got their asses handed to them week in and week out. (I guess it's all a matter of degree)

1976: 11-3 (lost to Raiders in the infamous "roughing-the-passer" game)1977: 9-51978: 11-5 (lost to Oilers in playoffs)1979: 9-71980: 10-6They collapsed in '81 and went 2-14, but bounced back to make the 16-team playoff extravaganza in the following strike season. In fact, '81 was their only losing season from '76 until Berry's last season in 1989.They also averaged more than 50,000 fans a season from 1971-81, with most of those seasons in the higher range ... including 60K + in 1972 and '74, seasons in which they went 3-11 and 7-7, respectively with Plunkett at QB.

Right. I don't think you could characterize that team as a team that got their asses handed to them week in and week out. When Ron Mexico joined your ranks, you failed to give him that memo.

 

[Bad_Mo]

A more interesting poll would be to ask Patriot haters when they started hating the Patriots. For me, it was immediately after the SB win against the Rams, when their toolish fans refused to admit that they were even the slightest bit fortunate to beat a clearly superior team, but I'm other Patriot-haters have had their own conversion experiences that they'd like to share.

I can understand if you are a Rams fan and was PO'd that they "better" team lost. However, if you are not a Rams fan, I can't understand how you could automatically hate a team that just pulled off arguably the best upset in all of pro sports. Maybe "immediately" to you means a few years later when certain long-time NE fans, and alot more bandwagoneers, started beating their chests.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

... immediately after the SB win against the Rams, when their toolish fans refused to admit that they were even the slightest bit fortunate to beat a clearly superior team.

Not sure exactly what you're implying here. Sure, a 14-point underdog should be fortunate to be a "clearly superior" team in the Super Bowl. But at least the Raiders fans can continue to hang their hat on the "tuck rule," misguided as that may be. What exactly, other than a superior game plan and execution, warrants you having this opinion and hating the Patriots because of it?But we're the ones who are "tool-ish."

 

[phthalatemagic]

A more interesting poll would be to ask Patriot haters when they started hating the Patriots. For me, it was immediately after the SB win against the Rams, when their toolish fans refused to admit that they were even the slightest bit fortunate to beat a clearly superior team, but I'm other Patriot-haters have had their own conversion experiences that they'd like to share.

It wasn't directly after the SB win over the Rams that did it for me. Back then most Patriot fans were genuine and had a small amount of class. I think it was after the 03 team did the fans really ruin it for me. I never really dislike the franchise - it's the fans that ruin it. You can't go to a bar or message board without idiot Patriot fans acting like jerks. It got worse this season with the videotape garbage. It will probably get even worse after they win the superbowl. Absolutely horrible people.

 

[Dickie Dunn]

People forget that the team was wildly popular in the late '70s. The NFL was growing and the Pats regularly were in the playoffs or in contention.

You guys didn't share that memo with Ron Mexico. He said Grogan's teams got their asses handed to them week in and week out. (I guess it's all a matter of degree)

1976: 11-3 (lost to Raiders in the infamous "roughing-the-passer" game)1977: 9-51978: 11-5 (lost to Oilers in playoffs)1979: 9-71980: 10-6They collapsed in '81 and went 2-14, but bounced back to make the 16-team playoff extravaganza in the following strike season. In fact, '81 was their only losing season from '76 until Berry's last season in 1989.They also averaged more than 50,000 fans a season from 1971-81, with most of those seasons in the higher range ... including 60K + in 1972 and '74, seasons in which they went 3-11 and 7-7, respectively with Plunkett at QB.

Right. I don't think you could characterize that team as a team that got their asses handed to them week in and week out. When Ron Mexico joined your ranks, you failed to give him that memo.

No, but we made sure that he knew that he was now a "horrible person" thanks to your extremely broad brush.

 

[phthalatemagic]

No, but we made sure that he knew that he was now a "horrible person" thanks to your extremely broad brush.

Excellent. He probably already knows.

 

[greenline]

I would tend to think the Boston area has the least amount of fans who root for teams outside of the home team. This area is incredibly provincial and not rooting for the home team is quite often frowned upon. There are some oldtimers who root for the Giants in football because they used to be considered the local team team pre-Patriots. There's also some Yankee fans around and if you want to point to bandwagon fans that's a good place to start. There's also a sprinkling of Braves fans for those old enough to be around during the time of the Boston Braves. Outside of that those who don't root for the local team are either transplanted college students or those who happened to get onto a bandwagon of a very good team during another era like the Cowboys or Bulls.As far as the Patriots go many really don't have a clue about the history of the franchise. Besides having had some real bad years they also played in a stadium that not only was beyond second rate it was also somewhat dangerous. It was not a place where either a kid or a woman could feel overly comfortable in. It was a drunkfest where obnoxious behavior was par for the course. It was so bad that the town of Foxboro would not allow the Pats to host a Monday night game because it would get so out of control. If you were looking to watch a good fight Foxboro in th 70's was a great place to go. When Kraft bought the team he made a concerted effort to not only improve the team on the field but also make Foxboro a place where normal people didn't feel out of place. That combined with the Tuna hiring the year before and the drafting of Drew Bledsoe was the beginning of the transformation of the Patriots from a hack organization to an organization that is run as well as any in professional sports. As for "bandwagon fans" the Patriots like ANY OTHER WINNING FRANCHISE has their share. Locally these people are known as the "Pink Hats." The name actually started in reference to some Red Sox fans. The name generally refers to women who jump on the bandwagon and start buying team clothing once they get good but now means all bandwagoners. Since both the Pats and Sox have been very good for awhile the Pink Hat brigade has grown. Yet, to think the Pats didn't have a loyal following prior to the Kraft era is generally an attempt by Patriot-bashers in their never-ending attempt to minimize the recent success of this franchise. The Pats have always had a staunch following, even during the darkest of days (and there were plenty). Yet, unlike other areas of the country where they're just happy to have a team many Boston fans will not sit back and be taken advantage of. Much like the Bruins of today with ownership that doesn't care about the fans the Patriots pre-Kraft did not always give their best. Due to that there were some years where fans basically gave the team the bird but remained loyal (which is exactly what is going on with the Bruins). They were still Pariot fans but were waiting for the team to make the relationship a partnership which is exactly what Kraft has done and the results speak for themself.

I'm not using the "good posting" icon, but good posting.It really is an "Us against the World" mentality in Boston. Most of my friends don't like anything outside of here and it easy and natural to develop a dislike of any franchise at any time.Now the world hates us and I enjoy.

 

[tombonneau]

Nothing quite tells the temperature of the Shark Pool like a poll titled "Patriots Fans" wherein the majority of people who opened the post voted that they are "Not a Patriots Fan."

 

[Exile]

Long time Patriot fan (or as we said before 2001, long time Patriot sufferer). My dad took me to my first game sometime in the late 70's. I don't remember much except that the Pats blew the Jets out and that I thought it would always be like that. 30 years later, it finally is.

 

[Workhorse]

Grew up a Giants fan in the pre-Parcells/LT era due to my Dad, who was a lifelong Jints fan. My folks got divorced in 1981, and we moved to the Boston area. My old man and I had a falling out after the Giants/Bills Super Bowl and I quickly soured on pretty much anything my Dad liked, including the Giants.

When Parcells was hired as Patriots coach, I adopted the Pats. Been a fan ever since.

Not really a "bandwagon" fan, but also not a lifelong fan either.

 

[conan2]

My dad has had season tickets to the Pats since they were playing at Fenway, and has the receipts to prove it. I've been going to games with him since I was old enough and have been through all the bad times, which makes the good times now that much sweeter. This year, I took my son to his first game...a special thing indeed. He's only been a fan since recently, but that has more to do with when he was born rather than being a bandwagon jumper.

 

[brock]

im not a pats fan but the more people hate them the more i like them.

 

[SeniorVBDStudent]

Although I grew up watching the Pats, I didn't pay much attention until about the last couple years of the Grogan era.

I could never figure out who was more embarrassing: Tony Eason or Pete Carroll. Later, when I read that Carroll liked to take players out for ice cream, I decided it was him.

The Bledsoe / Marino aerial assault battles were very cool.

For 3 weeks after Bledsoe was permanently benched, I questioned the decision.

Then I drank the koolaid.

Everything after The Silence Of The Rams is gravy, and I keep expecting the ride to stop, but it keeps on rollin.

 

[Tommy Collins]

Nobody is going to admit they're a front runner

 

[ianfitzy]

Im 20 now and have been a fan for as long as I can remember. My earliest memories of the teams were hating Marion Butts because he was horrible. I distinctly remember watching Brisby, Bledsoe and Coates and then Martin came along. I don't know how you could call me a bandwagoner.

I agree with the Boston vs. The World mentality. I root for only Boston teams. It was just expected when I was younger to root for the Celtics, Sox, Pats and Bruins... Admittedly, I am not a big hockey fan because my dad was never really into hockey so I never developed an interest. But I remember when I was like 5, I would be reading the box scores in the paper and remembering stats of the Celts, Sox and Pats.

 

[((Morpheus))]

born and raised.

 

[Alias]

Mosi's Mooses

 

[pizzatyme]

I expect the honesty of the poll answers to be about the same one might expect from a "Do you masterbate?" quiz at a local high school.How many folks do you think would come forward to proudly proclaim being a bandwagon jumper?This is not to disparage Pats fans, I certainly don't think they are alone in having their fair share of bandwagon fans. It happens to every team. Man, I was tripping over 49er fans when Montana/Young was there. Now? Not so much.I always thought the Pats were the 3rd place team in Boston anyway. Sox first and foremost, and the Bruins 2nd actually. The Pats are 1A right now, but they were 4th not too long ago, during the Bird/McHale Celtic teams. Boy, you want to talk about a bandwagon clearing out fast. Once Reggie lewis died, Celtic tickets went from the hottest ticket in town to toilet paper overnight.

Hell, I know there are probably more Colts bandwagon jumpers than Patriots. I remember not many people liking the Colts in the 80's and 90's Now look at them come out of the wood work.

I became a Colts fan when the Mayflower's arrived. If that is a bandwagon jumper, then so be it.