Fan Origin Stories: Part 2

By Harbour Heather

Merchandise

Fashion plays a big part in some people’s choice of teams.

I started supporting the Chicago Cubs because of what Richard Prior wore in ‘Brewster’s Millions.’ pic.twitter.com/outtmIMsXm

— Aiden McLaughlin (@Womble101) April 10, 2020

I started following the Oakland Raiders because Slayer were always wearing their gear and I fucking love Slayer

— Riccardo Ball (@rikdog72) April 3, 2020

My parents came back from Hawaii and I’d asked for a starter cap, they got me a Blackhawks cap, so I made them my NHL team and just went with Chicago teams after that for all American sports.

— Chris (@Chrisb_nz) April 10, 2020

Miscellaneous mix

Sometimes, the stars align and you’re holding your tongue just right, and then you’ve made a decision you’re stuck with for life.

As a Brit, I had never really followed baseball, then I went to Vegas in 2000, partied all night and slept til 3pm. Woke up and put tv on every day and TNT has Atlanta Braves baseball every day. Been a Braves fan ever since

— Martin McVeigh (@MJMcVeigh) April 3, 2020

Used to play NHL ’95 back in the day. Became a Red Wings fan. Bought a cap. Then bought a jersey with YZERMAN 19 on the back. Still have it somewhere. Gasped when I saw Cameron wearing the HOWE shirt in Ferris Bueller. Still haven’t been to Detroit.

— NV (@KFCQuarterPack) April 8, 2020

Became a Pittsburgh Steelers fan cause in a primary school journal was a story on WR Lynn Swann who did ballet lessons to help him jump

— Johnny Cole (@MachoCamaori) April 3, 2020

I’m a Yank who became a cricket fan working in pubs in England in 2000, and later a huge Black Caps fan after watching Chris Harris lead them to victory against Australia in the 4th VB Series match in 2002. I was just fascinated by the guy.

— Catsmeat (@bartenderesq) April 3, 2020

I started following the Bulldogs because my best mate at the time was nicknamed Terry Lamb by the boys at school because of her haircut.

— Chelsea (@heyxie) April 3, 2020

I mean ‘sport’ page. I think page 3 of The Sun was sometimes called the spirt page so best I clear that up!

— Terry Frisby (@theterryfrisby) April 3, 2020

I started supporting NSW in Origin (as a youngster in Yorkshire) when I saw footage of Michael de Vere getting his eyebrow stapled pitchside then heading straight back on the field. #truestory

— Laura Caccioppoli (@Lchopchop) April 10, 2020

Personally, I’m a Chicago Blackhawks fan as a result of a real cocktail of seemingly minor events. Firstly, I loved the Mighty Ducks movies as a child, and there’s even a rumour that my writing skills were developed through a flirtation into Mighty Ducks fanfiction before fanfiction was ever a thing. (There’s no physical evidence of this, I know that much for certain). With no Sky subscription in the family home, I wasn’t exposed to ice hockey until I moved out, and the same can be said for another childhood passion, WWE, which had since moved to pay TV. I decided now was the time to get into hockey, but which team to support? With no logical ties to any American city, I searched for meaning throughout the rest of my life.

I loved the Wayne’s World movies, and they wear Blackhawks jerseys in that…. My favourite wrestler (CM Punk, for those playing at home) is a big Blackhawks fan… And it just so happened that the year I decided to lean in to hockey, with these minor influences in the back of my mind, that the Hawks went on an incredible run in a shortened lockout season, playing the most entertaining hockey in the league, and won their second Stanley Cup in four years. Plus, their captain was a hunk. Done deal.

The links may be tenuous to start with, but the commitment and loyalty run deep, no matter how it comes around. Yet another example of the beauty of sport.

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