Who is a ND Football Fan?

[irishunclebill]

Who is a ND Football Fan?


Let me preface this question by saying that this is not a religious, scientific, political, or moral question, and I respectfully request that all of the scientists and philosophers out there not hijack this thread, and try to turn it into one. This is simply one person’s opinion as to what is required to be a ND Football Fan. It should not be such an intriguing question for this forum because as it used to state in the top banner, this forum was created for fans of Notre Dame.

So, who is a ND Football Fan? We all know that fan is a shortened term for the word fanatic, which is defined as being “marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion.” The only difference between being a fan and a fanatic is that fan’s hopefully express their “excessive enthusiasm” without violating prevailing social norms. Therefore, by definition, an ND Football Fan is someone who always supports the Notre Dame Football program, staff, and players, regardless of whether they are “right” or “wrong”. An ND Football Fan is allowed to display occasional angst when disappointing events occur to their team, but they will never take pleasure in such an occurrence. An ND Football Fan is also allowed to be giddy, and at times downright irrational, when misfortune happens to chance upon one of their hated rivals. An ND Football Fan is allowed, when warranted, to be critical of its’ team failures, as long as such criticism is positive, and does not descend into personal vitriol.

Who is not an ND Football Fan? You are not an ND Football Fan,

• If you state that you “love ND”, but then immediately jump at any opportunity to argue against whenever a positive article is posted about the Notre Dame Football program.
• When you fail to post a single comment about the program that is completely positive.
• When you take pleasure in both the success of your hated rivals, and the disappointments of the ND Football program.
• When you constantly criticize everyone anytime they are being a “fan”.
• When you say that everyone else is being a hypocrite because as fans, they do take pleasure in the misfortunes of hated rivals, and they do support the ND Football Program, “right” or “wrong”. Only a disinterested observer or a “hater” could come to the conclusion that such delight or support is hypocritical. A true fan never would.

A final question that maybe does lend itself to some philosophical discussion. Who is more of a hypocrite as it relates to the definition of a fan? Is it those who proclaim that they “love ND”, and then joyfully take every opportunity to post negative comments about the program and its’ staff, or is it those who positively support the program even when it screws up, and yes, even when it is “wrong”.

 

[Vince Young]

Personally, I just blame global warming. It's easier that way.

 

[irishunclebill]

Personally, I just blame global warming. It's easier that way.

LOL- You're right about that.

 

[stonebreakerwasgod]

To me a fan of ND football means we get to watch our team kick ass on saturdays! Everything else is moot and extemporaneous, unnecessary, gratuitous, not essential, off topic...

 

[kjones]

What is a fan? Well originally, it is short for fanatic. And fanatic is a word people throw around a lot these days. Religious fanatics, right/left wing fanatics, etc. A fanatic is someone who is loyal to the point of stupidity, someone who always supports the tenets of his or her view in the face of all obstacles, hardships, and yes, even logic. I myself defended both Bob Davie and Ty Willingham on numerous occasions in the student section merely because THEY were the coaches, and somehow I believe loyalty in the stands translates to success on the field. Since that time, (when they were no longer ND's coaches) i suddenly saw the wisdom and correctness of so many of the arguments stated before that seemed like lunacy and disloyalty to me before.
While a fan might not always agree with a staff/player/team, they ALWAYS support them. And they save criticisms for later and do it constructively. I get so pissed off when idiots scream at the team/coach in the stands, especially because they usually have never played football before and don't have a clue what they are talking about.
Love isn't a feeling, it isn't a on/off thing, its commitment. It's commitment in good times and bad, sickness and health, wins and loses, commits and decommits. Love can be disapointed but it never gives up, never turns its back, never gets disgusted and walks away. It seeks to build up, and not to destroy, to fix and not tear down, to speak the truth, but in a way that helps and not harms.

A fan loves Notre Dame.

 

[tgolden]

to me, a ND fan is someone who supports the ND football team in good times and in bad. to me, a true ND fan is someone who stays until the end of every game (or watches until the end on TV), no matter what the score (unless they have a very good excuse), who cheers in a positive manner (at least most of the time), and as kjones said, always supports the team... there is definitely a difference between agreeing with and supporting. it means not bashing the best efforts of a bunch of college kids when they aren't as perfect as we wish they were. it means "what though the odds be great or small" believing that Notre Dame can "win over all."

and kjones says it best, a fan loves Notre Dame.

 

[Satans Little Helper]

Personally, I just blame global warming. It's easier that way.

i blame gun-totting rednecks. what? he started it! J/K J/K!

A fan is someone who supports a team under any circumstance, win lose or draw. Dissent for any reason is ok and should be present, though blind ignorance should be avoided ( as with other things) I think it is ok to have a public disagreement regarding the team, nature or state of the team, but hating a possible recruit for renegging on his committment is not right.

Some have asked me how am i a fan if i dont even believe JC existed. My story is much like others. Growing up, all i ever knew was Notre Dame Football. I applied to the school, got in, but for personal reasons could not attend. My politcal or religous beliefs do not hamper my attitude towars the greatest "college football entity" in the nation. I admire everything that makes notre dame football notre dame football. I root for no one else ( with the exception of South Carolina. I get to go to alot of their games every year and i enjoy it).

Just like everything else in the world, if you start taking things to seriously, you will end up causing a lot more problems in the end. Look at Italian Football League Serie A. They have to play games with no fans in the stands because a police officere was killed during a fan riot.

 

[Junkhead]

Some have asked me how am i a fan if i dont even believe JC existed.

I read that as Jimmy Clausen. LoL

 

[Satans Little Helper]

I read that as Jimmy Clausen. LoL

Sorry, that is the man upstairs.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

Personally, I just blame global warming. It's easier that way.

LMAO...Well played, Vince.

 

[leprechaun4life]

I think a fan is someone who supports the university and the team fully, and continues to support the team regardless of the current year's record. At times, fans can be irrational and yell senseless obcenities at people on the television that are hundreds of miles away, but they do it for the love of their team. I think a loss should feel as if something was stolen from you, it should be painful, and be similar to a really bad hangover.

However, I think a true fan should realize what is best for the team is not necessarily popular. At times, if a coach can't get the job done, I think it is necessary, no matter how much it hurts, that the team should lose in order for a change to occur. (The latter only occurred during Bob Davie's tenure)(and it worked)(eventually, after Ty was fired too)But the latter should only occur if it is positive that the coach is incompetent. Overall, a true fan should feel like he is part of the team, that someway, somehow the strange supersticions and "routines" that he performs, helps the team win.

 

[absoluteirish59]

I think there are different level's of ND "fans". For instance, my brother is an ND fan and defends them to no end, however, he has missed quite a few games. He is a level 7. Then we have my father. He will only watch the games and hope they lose so he can give me shit! He is a level 2. There are of course the "fair wheather" fans. They are a level 0. Only coming out when the team is kicking ass! There are the fans who post alot of negative stuff about their squad after a loss like, " we suck" or " i hate so and so". These fans get a level 5. They lash out against ND because they're so hurt when they lose, they just don't know what else to do. Finally we have fans like me. We know the history and tradition of the program past and present and NEVER miss a game! Argue to the death defending ALL haters! Naturally, i give myself a level 10. I don't like the "New" ND fans either. Being an ND fan is a right of pasage and you gotta earn it!

 

[BGIF]

I read that as Jimmy Clausen. LoL

I tried to rep you Junkhead but was denied! Well done.

 

[Satans Little Helper]

I think there are different level's of ND "fans". For instance, my brother is an ND fan and defends them to no end, however, he has missed quite a few games. He is a level 7. Then we have my father. He will only watch the games and hope they lose so he can give me shit! He is a level 2. There are of course the "fair wheather" fans. They are a level 0. Only coming out when the team is kicking ass! There are the fans who post alot of negative stuff about their squad after a loss like, " we suck" or " i hate so and so". These fans get a level 5. They lash out against ND because they're so hurt when they lose, they just don't know what else to do. Finally we have fans like me. We know the history and tradition of the program past and present and NEVER miss a game! Argue to the death defending ALL haters! Naturally, i give myself a level 10. I don't like the "New" ND fans either. Being an ND fan is a right of pasage and you gotta earn it!

what does that mean apparently to be a level 10 top allstar fan you have to never argue over the team never cvoice a dissenting opinion and never miss a game. I think i understand.......hwhateve

 

[Irish93]

to me, a ND fan is someone who supports the ND football team in good times and in bad.

TG, I'm with you. I'll watch an ND game to the bitter end, no matter what the score. I think that is the true measure.

 

[tgolden]

TG, I'm with you. I'll watch an ND game to the bitter end, no matter what the score. I think that is the true measure.

I stayed until the absolute bitter end of the FSU game in 2003. I stayed until after the alma mater was played. and once everyone around us left which was with lots of time left, I stood for the rest of the game (this was prior to being in the student section). that was the worst game I've ever been to (even worse than UM this year), but at the same time, it was a good experience.

 

[Junkhead]

I never miss a game (unless it was for work), and the blowouts aren't fun but I'm there win or lose.

 

[HereComeTheIrish]

I never miss a game (unless it was for work), and the blowouts aren't fun but I'm there win or lose.

Damn straight. Never give up on the boys...win or lose. We owe them that much. Good post.

 

[leprechaun4life]

Yeah, fans suffer til the bitter end.

 

[Irish93]

I remember the painful losses to Miami in 1985 and 1986. Sitting through those losses make the wins all the more enjoyable in the following years.