Recently many of you have hopefully read my posts on Syracuse football and other Orange sports. Hopefully, even if you disagreed, you respected my outlook. And you may have noticed that I don’t always bring the stats or strategies. Occasionally I will if I see something I feel I can understand and is worthy of sharing.
But I’ve been trying to put into words why my faith and fandom isn’t just about wins or losses, how many stars a recruit has, or coaching decisions. And then I watched season 2 of Welcome To Wrexham and it hit me why.
Season 2 episode 2 is called “The Quiet Zone” and it shows the views of a 17-year-old, big-time autistic Wrexham fan and also the child of a player on the spectrum as well. And my heart goes on melting watching these stories but also reminds me exactly what I’ve been trying to say lately.
You see, I get it. It’s a game and we want to win. We want to pump our chest with pride and not fear smack talk from opposing fans. And I get it but to me, that’s not the only reason why I’m a fan of Syracuse football and other Cuse sports.
What Syracuse football fandom means to me.
To me, Syracuse fandom is when a group of Twitter friends pitch in together and get Otto to come to your wedding.
Syracuse fandom is when the mother of a Syracuse football player invites a super fan to come down on the field with her for a once-in-a-lifetime experience on senior day.
Syracuse fandom is when you and your close friends drive from Syracuse to Blacksburg, Va., to show the team some support.
Syracuse fandom is when you bring your kid to a Syracuse football game and they’re so excited and you’ll always have that memory together and maybe even build a bond together over it or at the least that kid becomes a bigger fan because that person they lived with was and took them to games.
Syracuse fandom is showing up to the tailgate before the game or seats during the game next to people you see regularly that maybe even at times feel like a family.
Syracuse fandom is dressing up in your game day attire and wearing it on game day because it’s how excited you are to be a part of the community around the team.
Syracuse fandom is having access to social media to interact with the players, staff and other fans to share in the excitement or show your support. Building relationships and communities that support each other on our best days and our worst. Like wishing happy birthdays to them or giving them love when tragedy hits and life feels like you’re unsure how you’ll get through but they’re there for you.
Syracuse fandom is the alma mater at Hendricks Chapel with the band or Varsity after a football win or watching them after a game in the Dome. Or standing and clapping until a basket is made or cheering loudly on 3rd and 4th down or packing the soccer stadium hill and thumping on the wall.
Syracuse fandom is when you live in another state or even country but you still root for them and will follow any news you can or listen/watch anyway possible. Like getting a Cuse.com, Varsity Network, or ESPN+ subscription just to follow as best you can. Or watching/listening to press conferences, MOB & other Cuse-oriented podcasts, and sports talk shows because you want to feel up to date on your team.
Syracuse fandom is that kid walking the halls of his school or down the street wearing his favorite Syracuse jersey or clothing item as some random person feels the need to tell them that Syracuse stinks, but they wear it anyway because they love their team unapologetically.
And yes Syracuse fandom is enjoying the highs of a win and excited when they’re bowl-eligible or ranked or beat a rival. But sometimes it’s also being a fan when they lose and understanding that the players and staff tried their best and it’s just as personal for them if not more. And being a bit heartbroken but lifting them up because next week is a new game and it’s important for them to know that we’re there for them just like we are when they win.
Syracuse fandom to me is all that and more. It’s about the moments and memories we create together as fans. Loving something so much that you bond over it and your life is better because of it and the good people it brought into your life. So while yes I love winning, I’m not a fan only when they win, I’m a fan because of everything that is added to my life, especially in the worst moments of my life.