For every hockey fan who’s team is golfing instead of skating, this one’s for you.
Please do not express to the World how you now are a diehard “insert playoff team” fan. It waters down your credibility as an “insert non-playoff team” fan. This has got to be one of my biggest pet-peeves as a hockey (and sports fan). For God sakes man, live and die with your team! (Coming from a Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Dolphins fan, I have experienced a lot of heartache).
Every year in the playoffs, there never fails to be people who are well known fans of certain teams who suddenly “jump ship” and post pictures, status updates, stats, and can’t help but proclaim to the World that they are (and have secretly always have been) a fan of a certain team. A team that just so happens to still be in the running for the Stanley Cup. No one believes you, and we are all secretly making fun of you behind your back (that is currently occupied by that new team jersey you just purchased to cement your hard core fan status).
Now, that does not mean that you can’t get under the skin of fans who’s teams are still in the playoffs! What is more fun as a bitter fan who’s team is no longer in the running then to rip on your buddy who is a legitimate fan of “insert playoff team”? Nothing! Because even if they retort with “well at least my team is still in the playoffs!” or something childish, you can simply say “not for long!” As their team is losing. You must make sure to #hashtag post that you are in fact, simply trolling, and are not actually a fan of your buddies rival team. If you just start posting pictures of you in your new jersey, then you are indeed a bandwagoner and should put a bag over your head for the remainder of the playoffs.
#rangersforthecup #lolhabsfans #trolling
It is also okay to cheer for great hockey, because these playoffs have been one of the better ones in terms of exciting games and series in the past few years. This is completely acceptable. But please do not parade around town in your new jersey (with the tags still on, just in case they get knocked out) saying that you’ve now changed your allegiance to this “new team” because you can’t handle the losing any longer. Have you heard of the Toronto Maple Leafs?! Those fans have been put through the ringer year after year, and still they fill that stadium for every game as if their lives depended on it.
Sure, it feels good to cheer for a winning team and put on a happy face when they win because “they are now your team” but we all know that you are not really happy about it all. Deep inside, you are just a bitter fan like the rest of us who couldn’t handle not being able to watch your team play in the playoffs. I think there are support groups for stuff like that, you might want to check them out.
Oh yeah, and don’t think that when you come gallivanting into your teams stadium at the start of next season that you will be excused for your heinous act of betrayal. True fans know who defected, we can smell it.
#dontbetrayyourteam #wewillknow #noroomforbandwagoners
You can follow James on Twitter: @hashtagswag604
