When is it okay to say "we" about a team you support?

[bjornolf]

I was listening to Mike & Mike this morning, and they had an interesting debate about when it was and when it was NOT all right to call your team "we".

Mike Golic, a former NFL player for the Eagles, Dolphins, and some others, argued that for professional teams, you shouldn't say "we" unless you were a member of that team, whether player, coach, staff, or some part of the organization. However, if you attended a college, and especially if you graduated from there, it's okay to call your team "we".

Mike Greenberg argued that since he'd been a Jets fan for 40 years, he had more invested in them that a free agent player that spent one season on the Jets, but spent the rest of his career with four other teams.

Should you still be able to refer to your team as "we" if you played for them ten years ago and you played for three other teams as well? Can you refer to them all as "we", or do you have to pick one of those teams?

What about people who transferred colleges, whether as an athlete or just as a student? Can they refer to both as "we"?

I think it's an interesting debate. What's your opinion?

[CameronBornAndBred]

It depends on how the team is performing. If the team is doing well, then "we are kicking azz". If the team is doing poorly, then "they suck".

In all seriousness, I refer to all the teams I heavily support, whether pro or Duke, as "we" on occasion. I identify myself with them. Also, if I pay money for tickets (I don't for the pros), then I have just bought myself the right to say "we".

[Indoor66]

I was listening to Mike & Mike this morning, and they had an interesting debate about when it was and when it was NOT all right to call your team "we".

Mike Golic, a former NFL player for the Eagles, Dolphins, and some others, argued that for professional teams, you shouldn't say "we" unless you were a member of that team, whether player, coach, staff, or some part of the organization. However, if you attended a college, and especially if you graduated from there, it's okay to call your team "we".

Mike Greenberg argued that since he'd been a Jets fan for 40 years, he had more invested in them that a free agent player that spent one season on the Jets, but spent the rest of his career with four other teams.

Should you still be able to refer to your team as "we" if you played for them ten years ago and you played for three other teams as well? Can you refer to them all as "we", or do you have to pick one of those teams?

What about people who transferred colleges, whether as an athlete or just as a student? Can they refer to both as "we"?

I think it's an interesting debate. What's your opinion?

I win with ALWAYS. The vote is unanimous.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I can say "we" when I'm talking to Duke because I am both an alum and a financial contributor, as well as a fan.

I've been a fan of the NY Yankees for about 50 years. I'd dispute anyone's contention that I can't saw "we" when I talk about them too. If you live and breath with a team's success (and/or failure) long enough, you're entitled to say "we".

[CameronBornAndBred]

This goes both ways too. If a carolina fan comes up to me and mouths off, I will inform him that "you suck". Meaning both him and his crappy team.

[bjornolf]

So then you'd vote for the Greenie option, right Ozzie?

[Truth]

I voted for Golic's option, but I feel that my collegiate allegiance may have overly swayed my vote.

I feel rather strongly that "we" can only be used for fans of collegiate teams that have a very strong tie to the program, most commonly including having graduated from said program. I (think I) am willing to extend the "we" to include close family members that have been pulled into the allegiance.

That all said, not sure how directly applicable this is to professional sports. The overwhelmingly majority of the population will have no official ties to a professional sports organization. Does this mean that the number of those claiming "we" should also be dramatically reduced, or should there be a different set of requirements in determing "we" standards for pro and college?

[bjornolf]

I voted for Golic's option, but I feel that my collegiate allegiance may have overly swayed my vote.


There was an alma mater only option. It was the third option.

And just because you can't say "we" doesn't mean you're not a good fan or valuable to your team as a fan. Being able to say "we" is a VERY personal attachment to a team.

[Windsor]

As long as 'we' is used without regard to the team result it is ok by me...but when some uses 'WE won' and 'THEY lost' their 'we' rights should be revoked

[DukieInKansas]

As long as 'we' is used without regard to the team result it is ok by me...but when some uses 'WE won' and 'THEY lost' their 'we' rights should be revoked

My thoughts, exactly.

I tend to "we" Duke more than the professional teams I support. With the past season for the kansas city chefs, I definitely didn't use a we - but I also had given up my season tickets so I don't feel too bad about that.

[TillyGalore]

Based on Golic's definition, I'm really out of luck. I work at Duke, but didn't go to school here. :(:(

[Duvall]

You can say "we" if you ever played or coached for the team. Other team employees and student managers are probably okay as well.

Everyone else, no.

[DukieInKansas]

Based on Golic's definition, I'm really out of luck. I work at Duke, but didn't go to school here. :(:(

What does Golic know? You can use we for Duke as far as I'm concerned - and I'm probably not alone. :D

[bjornolf]

Based on Golic's definition, I'm really out of luck. I work at Duke, but didn't go to school here.

Hey, he said that any member of the organization would count. You are definitely a member of the Duke "organization", so I'd say you count! ;) As a member of the Duke alumnus family and former Duke athlete, I officially bestow upon you the right to say "we" when referring to Duke. :cool: Not that you really care what I think. :eek:

[TillyGalore]

Hey, he said that any member of the organization would count. You are definitely a member of the Duke "organization", so I'd say you count! ;) As a member of the Duke alumnus family and former Duke athlete, I officially bestow upon you the right to say "we" when referring to Duke. :cool: Not that you really care what I think. :eek:

I'm honored you have bestowed the right to say "we" on me. :D

Prior to working for Duke my father would constantly harangue me for rooting for an organization I had no affiliation with. I would remind him that I'm an O's fan living outside the State of Maryland. When I received the job offer from Duke, I asked my father if I now had his blessing to root for Duke. Not that I needed his blessing or approval. BTW, he did say yes and has never uttered a word about my love and devotion to all things Duke.

[TillyGalore]

I don't understand why Golic thinks the only people who can use "we" when it comes to pro sports is anyone related to the organization. If it weren't for the fans, there wouldn't be an organization (every time I write organization I pronounce it like a Canadian, or-gan-i-zay-tion). There wouldn't be any tix sales, no purchasing of merchandise, and no one to watch the games on tv. If a fan does any of the above, they have a right to call a team "we".

As others have noted, if you're not going to use "we" during down times, then you can't use it during the good times.

With that, I hereby declare that "we", the Orioles, will win the World Series this year, and I love them. However, should "we" fail in that endeavor, I shall still love them.

[bjornolf]

I actually tend to use "we" MORE during the down times. Maybe that's just the pessimist in me, though I like to think it's loyalty.

[bdh21]

It depends on how the team is performing. If the team is doing well, then "we are kicking azz". If the team is doing poorly, then "they suck".


I don't know... I've said "we suck" many times in my life as a Redskins fan.

[bjornolf]

I don't know... I've said "we suck" many times in my life as a Redskins fan.

Amen to that, brother. Can't wait to see Albert Haynesworth on the team. TO would have made the implosion perfect. :rolleyes:

[BlueDevilBaby]

I am a Redskins season ticket holder, but you will never ever hear me say "we" in connection with them, for I am a lifelong Cowboys fan trapped inside the beltway.

I find myself using "we" much less than I used to, consciously so. If I use "we", I tend to get too much involved or invested, like it's me responsible for winning/losing, which leads to potty mouth incidents, scared doggies, and broken household items and body parts. Since sticking more to "they", my household is much happier (Pancho even watched a game with me recently - usually he runs upstairs when I say "basketball game"). But I don't love my team any less passionately.

[bdh21]

I am a Redskins season ticket holder, but you will never ever hear me say "we" in connection with them, for I am a lifelong Cowboys fan trapped inside the beltway.


A cowboys fan? May god have mercy on your soul!

[Turk]

I sorta remember this topic coming up before, but I'm too lazy to look for it. My opinion is that "we" is earned by playing for your team (or working for it in some official capacity). So in casual conversation I will refer to the Devils in the third person (with rare lapses during the middle of games). I don't think it diminishes my passion for the team or the school at all.

I certainly understand if alums use the "we" and I would never criticize anyone (alum or not) who does so, but for some reason it makes me uncomfortable if I use it myself. Maybe I'll ask the shrink about it if I ever get around to getting my head examined like Mrs. Turk says I should...

[dukestheheat]

I did go to Duke and when I talk about the basketball team, I use the pronoun 'we'.

I know people who didn't go to Duke and they do the same thing.

I think it's totally OK to do that, because a fan is a fan is a fan.

I think it's elitist to say 'well, you can't really be a fan of (insert team name) because you didn't go to school there.'

Also, think about it this way: I like the Cleveland Browns football team. However, I never played cornerback for the team, nor did I live in Cleveland or Ohio for that matter. I've flown over Ohio many times, and have been to Cincinnati once.

Anyway, I know this rant has really nothing to do with this thread, but I just needed to get this out. This is a cathartic moment for me, actually.

Bottom-line: you can cheer for who you want to cheer for and it's great to have fans. The more the better.

dth.

[camion]

I go for Greenie's option with an addendum.

You may also use the "We" pronoun referring to any team that is the next opponent of THEM. ;)

[Turk]

I am a Redskins season ticket holder, but you will never ever hear me say "we" in connection with them, for I am a lifelong Cowboys fan trapped inside the beltway. ~snip~


BDD, I spent some time inside the beltway myself... I was amazed at how many people would abandon their hometown team within a year or two and start referring to the Skins as "we". Congrats on resisting assimilation (even if for such a dubious outfit as the Cowboys - if you can stick with them during their current stretch of mediocrity on the field and circus atmosphere off of it, I applaud your loyalty as well...)

[DukieInKansas]

I go for Greenie's option with an addendum.

You may also use the "We" pronoun referring to any team that is the next opponent of THEM. ;)

Good addendum.

[captmojo]

I'm not a Duke alumnus. I will use "We" in conversation, as it is the most efficient way to describe the fan base as a collective. Having been a fan, dating back since the time I was old enough to pronounce the word Duke and being guilty of instilling the same rabid loyalty in my offspring, I do hope that no one will take offense in that usage by me.

The school and the teams need all the fans they can gather.

[DukieInKansas]

I'm not a Duke alumnus. I will use "We" in conversation, as it is the most efficient way to describe the fan base as a collective. Having been a fan, dating back since the time I was old enough to pronounce the word Duke and being guilty of instilling the same rabid loyalty in my offspring, I do hope that no one will take offense in that usage by me.

The school and the teams need all the fans they can gather.

If you have indoctrinated another generation, you should be included.

[DukieBoy]

I want to know in Greenie's option, what is the definition of a LONG time.

10 years?
30 years?
50 years?
1 week?

[captmojo]

If you have indoctrinated another generation, you should be included.

Thanks for your support. :)

[pamtar]

I find myself using 'we' in the majority of conversations. However, if I was talking to Coach K I would say 'you.' I especially use 'we' when talking to UNC fans or any other fans. I have an step-aunt who went to Duke. Does that count? I can't remember being anything but a Duke basketball fan.

I call my alma mater (UNCW) 'them.' I call Duke football them as I am a State fan. My dad played there. I also call State football 'we.'

I call Tarheel sports teams "punks."

I call me Al.

[brevity]

Depends on the context. On DBR's main board, almost everyone should feel free to use "we" when talking about the Blue Devils -- men's basketball, women's basketball, football, whatever. Exceptions go to the brave representatives of other teams (Kentucky, Clemson, UNC) who visit. Over in Off Topic world, in the inevitable 2009 Atlanta Braves thread, "we" seems acceptable too.

But I think sportscasters should have fewer liberties with the word. Mike Golic shouldn't use "we" at all, even when talking about Notre Dame or one of his pro teams, unless he's bringing up a specific experience back when he was a player. It's important to viewers/listeners that he sound neutral.

[BluDevilGal]

I want to know in Greenie's option, what is the definition of a LONG time.

Avoiding that debate there is part of why I chose always instead of the long time fan option.

IMO, if you feel personally invested enough in a team to use "we" in natural conversation, then go for it. It just so happens that the two teams that I would use "we" for are ones that I've been a long time (IMO) fan of... Duke (since I was 11) and the Carolina Panthers (since their inception)... but that doesn't mean that I couldn't develop a fierce loyalty to a team in a short span of time.

[CameronBornAndBred]

But I think sportscasters should have fewer liberties with the word.
By all definitions from the voters, Jay Bilas has earned the right to use "we", but I've never heard him use it. Sometimes I am happy for that, even though he is just doing his job.

[DukieInKansas]

By all definitions from the voters, Jay Bilas has earned the right to use "we", but I've never heard him use it. Sometimes I am happy for that, even though he is just doing his job.

And Doug Gotlieb congratulated Jay Williams for not using "we" when talking about Duke over the weekend. It sure is nice to see Jay on the air.

[hurleyfor3]

I suspect some people here use "we" to refer to Tiger Woods.

[Bostondevil]

I have stated in other threads that I've finally figured out why the venomous Duke hatred seems so unfair, it's because we the fans are fair game. People who hate Coach K and Duke basketball, I don't understand but OK, maybe we ruined your NCAA dreams, OK. But it's the attacks on the Crazies, heck, Bill Simmons goes after ALL Duke alumni. He's not the only one. If we have to take all the *expletive deleted* thrown our way, then we get to say we.

[bjornolf]

Using "we" to refer to the fan base is one thing. You are certainly part of the fan base and can always refer to it as "we" if you are a fan. This is talking about whether you as a fan can refer to your team as "we". Did "we" beat FSU last week, for example? Did Carolina beat "us" on Sunday?

Also, just because you don't refer to a team as "we" doesn't mean you aren't a good fan, or important to the team.

Finally, for long time, I would say the majority of your sport supporting life. If you just started watching basketball a month ago and you've pulled for Duke that whole time, then that qualifies as a long time. However, if you started watching basketball in 1950, but you've pulled for five different teams and you just started pulling for Duke a few years ago, then no, I don't think that qualifies as a long time. That's just how I see it.

[kmspeaks]

I don't know... I've said "we suck" many times in my life as a Redskins fan.

You're not alone there.

While I would describe my devotion to my 3 favorite teams (Duke, the Redskins, and the Braves) as being equal I really only use we when talking about the Redskins. I've been thinking while reading the rest of the thread and I don't really have a reason for not using we in talking about the other two teams.

The best I can come up with is that I chose to be a Duke and Braves fan based upon the play of certain players but I was born a Redskins fan. Time stopped in my house on Sunday afternoons and that was the only thing going on. So perhaps the Redskins just feel to me to be a part of my family life and I use we in reference to them especially when talking to my Dad and Brother.

[camion]

By all definitions from the voters, Jay Bilas has earned the right to use "we", but I've never heard him use it. Sometimes I am happy for that, even though he is just doing his job.

Sportscasters in the exercise of their profession should never use the first person plural except possibly when referring to themselves and their broadcast partners. Jay does it right. In his private conversation he has more right than 99% of this board to use "we" when speaking of Duke, but most of us won't hear it if he does because he won't be near a microphone.

[Acymetric]

There is no "rule" for saying we. If you want to say we, say we. Everyone will know what you mean and nobody should be offended. If you say "we won" and "they suck" then you're an idiot.

For myself, I alternate regularly between we, our guys, and they depending on what I'm talking about, who I'm talking with, and what flows best with the conversation, but it never depends on whether its a positive or negative comment.

That said, people who think this is a big deal are ridiculous. Also, at 20 years old I've invested more time in Duke sports than any player (not coach) will ever spend, and where they get payed (schollies, people) I actually pay to enjoy my Blue Devils, so if I want to say we I will.

Its not an issue of "rights" its an issue of preference.

[BluDevilGal]

Sportscasters in the exercise of their profession should never use the first person plural except possibly when referring to themselves and their broadcast partners.

Agreed.

[cl15876]

Based on Golic's definition, I'm really out of luck. I work at Duke, but didn't go to school here. :(:(

Honor - you can say "WE" if you choose to, I'll cover your back! Although I've always been a Duke fan, I graduated from GWU. However, keep this in perspective about Golic (although career pretty impressive) ... "In November 2007 Golic admitted to using steroids during his NFL career. He claimed that his steroid use was limited to a few months during an off season to help recover from an injury." so put his tainted, drug, indosed, steroid advantage opinion in perspective... Ya know what they say about opinions and what they are like, tAr-HOLES; every one has one and some smell better than others :D

You are a WE in my book! Just like ME! :cool:

[cl15876]

So then you'd vote for the Greenie option, right Ozzie?

Ozzie - I was thinking you voted for Always, but observed you had not voted yet? :)

[cl15876]

"..... (every time I write organization I pronounce it like a Canadian, or-gan-i-zay-tion). "

Isn't that "or-gan-i-zay-tion" ... AAA? :D


"As others have noted, if you're not going to use "we" during down times, then you can't use it during the good times. "

I agree!


"With that, I hereby declare that "we", the Orioles, will win the World Series this year, and I love them. .... "

I sure hope they have another request to walk on and try out, I regret not going for the pro's when I was younger! And I've been told that I still have the heat and bat in my 40's..... :D Although I failed miserably in my debut without any practice ahead of time and got pulled (my first)... They put me live in a game without having faced a batter in 20+ years and I walked 8 in a row, .... but the field was weird (up hill from mound to plate) and the batter's wouldn't swing at the heat flying by them, although juicy and appealing).... This was a 40 or over men's league a handfull of years ago.

Coincidentally and Ironically, this was the LAST field I ever pitched and played on and actually pitched a no hitter and shut out in an all star game (20+ years ago) and still lost! :eek: I was a starter and reliever and unfortunately the coach decided to start his kid, and when they loaded the bases with 0 out, in 1st inning and had already scored 1 run via a walk, I was called in as reliever and the rest was history.... no more runs or hits, but we still lost :( One of the best games I ever pitched and played without hitting a homerun also! Oh well! The would-of's, could-of's, should of's.... thye didn't pay well back then ....

[hurleyfor3]

Sportscasters in the exercise of their profession should never use the first person plural except possibly when referring to themselves and their broadcast partners. Jay does it right. In his private conversation he has more right than 99% of this board to use "we" when speaking of Duke, but most of us won't hear it if he does because he won't be near a microphone.

I would add another exception when referring to teams the sportscaster played on. So Jay Bilas can refer to his mid-1980s Duke teams as "we", which I'm pretty sure he has done. Brad Daugherty definitely has when referring to his unc teams.

What about teams the sportscaster coached for? Can Bill Cowher call the 2005 Steelers "we"? Can Bilas call the '92 team "we" as an assistant? I'm undecided here.

[TillyGalore]

I would add another exception when referring to teams the sportscaster played on. So Jay Bilas can refer to his mid-1980s Duke teams as "we", which I'm pretty sure he has done. Brad Daugherty definitely has when referring to his unc teams.

What about teams the sportscaster coached for? Can Bill Cowher call the 2005 Steelers "we"? Can Bilas call the '92 team "we" as an assistant? I'm undecided here.

I don't see why coaches who coached for a team can't refer to the team as "we" when referring to a specific year they coached. They were part of the team too. Heck, you can't have a successful team without a coach.

[weezie]

Heck, you can't have a successful team without a coach.

You can if you are the LSU football team! :)

[RelativeWays]

My answer to the whole "we" question is for most of us, we count ourselves as part of the fan collective, which is also part of the team in question. The true soul of any team, be it college or pro, is its fanbase. If fans don't cheer, don't buy the tee shirts tickets and other merchandise, if they aren't made to feel apart of the collective, then there is no team, or no team that anyone cares about or makes any money.

[2535Miles]

We won the ACC Championship. :D

[dukegirlinsc]

You can say "we" if you ever played or coached for the team. Other team employees and student managers are probably okay as well.

Everyone else, no.

Agreed. It bothers me when people do it, but I understand it.

[YmoBeThere]

When is it wrong to be for the home team? Legally...I'll be in Vegas Thursday-Sunday.

[TillyGalore]

Yesterday morning while listening to Mike & Mike, Golic used "we" when referring to Duke. Golic picked Duke to beat Nova, if Nova won Golic would have to get his legs waxed as he would lose the brackets contest he has with Greenie. Obviously, Golic lost, but that isn't the point.

Golic stated that you can only use "we" when referring to a team if you have some sort of actual affiliation with that particular team. IIRC, Golic does not have any affiliation whatsoever with Duke. Thus, he contradicted his own bad self.

Thank you, Golic, for giving the rest of us your blessing to refer to our teams as "we". ;)