Top five NFL fan bases
The NFL Network’s Jamie Dukes gave his top five NFL fan bases during the Wednesday, July 15, edition of their “Total Access” show.
I couldn’t help but question some of his choices, but before I get into that, I’ll share his picks in order.
OK, I get the Steelers and the Cowboys. I can even stomach the Giants, but the Patriots have zero business being on this list. Before Tom Brady and three Super Bowl wins, find me a Patriots fan. I thought so.
The Packers. I get it with Lambeau Field being sold out until hell freezes over. I get the love from the fans – I grew up four hours from Green Bay. What I don’t get is how Dukes quickly forgets – or, perhaps worse, ignores -that the Pack seemingly didn’t have a single fan during the majority of the 1980s. Not a one.
The Giants – eh, I guess. I don’t really think of the Giants as being in the top five, but I’ll give Dukes the benefit of the doubt on this one. I’ll give him credit, though; selecting only five teams is tough.
- I give Steelers fans the top spot, but it’s awfully easy to love your team when losing isn’t a common theme over a nearly 40-year span.
- The Eagles fans – love ‘em or hate ‘em – are some of the most devoted supporters in the world.
- The Cowboys have such a wide fan base throughout this country that they get a top-three grade by default.
- Chicago fans put up with a lot of losing and still sell out Soldier Field like few others – in the freezing cold, mind you.
- Oakland fans will knife you for talking ill about their team. That’s the kind of dedication that is tough to disregard.
Honorable mentions: Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Kansas City Chiefs
KFFLians think:
Dallas is the top fan base of all time , pittsburg is number 2
Sooo, the Broncos have sold out every game since 1970, and they don’t even crack honorable mention? Yet the Minnesota “we have to extend the blackout deadline every week” Vikings are on the list? I want some of whatever you’re smoking.
In my military travels – for the record I’ve seen almost every country in Central and South America. I’ve also traveled and seen the Caribbean as well.
There is one team that was always vociferously defended and proudly wore their team gear (hats and t-shirts). From a record standpoint, the fans didn’t care. That team was …
The Cleveland Browns!
The Packers came out when they started winning. Sure they may support their team w/constant sell outs and I agree they have one of the strongest fan bases but outside of Wisconsin in what I saw, hardly a peep until they started winning.
I was always amazed at how hardcore the Browns’ fans were for what I considered a losing franchise. Not my opinion, I base it on their won/loss record.
I always respected them because for a city to love their team that much it was brutal to see them get up and leave. I believe the NFL recognized that as well because they specifically targeted Cleveland for an expansion team after the Browns left and became the Ravens.
That’s my take, what’s yours?
Patriots deserve to be on the list, I would place them 2-4 on the list. My reason is that I’m on the season ticket waiting list and I was told that it will take me around 20 years to get my season tickets. I will wait the 20 years because I’m a Patriots fan.
Now that 20 year waiting list will shrink to next year for the patriots as soon as they start loosing again. And it will happen. Billachick caught lightning in a bottle, but that bottle is getting too hot to handle and will be gone soon. Call us when your team has sold out the stadium for 40 years. Denver deserves to be in the top 5. Inconvenient time zone or not.
What a pile of crap. Green Bay didn’t have any fans during the 1980’s and you grew up near Lambeau?
They were sold out every year since the 60’s.
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