Beware, rant ahead. Although this post is aimed at the Kings and Kings fans, it could, or rather should, apply to all fans who do or have supported a losing club.
Today’s LA Times has an interesting article about how the Ducks’s recent Cup victory pissed off Kings fans (me included) and questions how the Kings organization plans to develop a winning team.
The article begins with quotes from Kings fan about the Ducks’ recent victorious season. One fan has decided to quit being a Kings fan and most fans whined about the organization not being able to do anything for the past 40 years. The frustration from the fans is understandable and even former Kings goaltender, Kelly Hrudey understood as he was quoted as saying: "It's tough because they have been patient fans, who have been very loyal, considering that the organization has had more lows than highs.”
While it may be difficult for the organization and players to withstand constantly being on the losing end, it might be even more difficult for the most loyal fans. We can’t be fired and forced to remove ourselves from the team. We can’t ask for a trade or be forced to play for another team and wind up on a Stanley Cup winning team. Sure, we can give up and/or jump on the team-du-jour’s bandwagon. But if we do either then what pride do we have left? What’s the point of being a fan if you can’t experience the lows and highs with the team? If you can’t boast that you witnessed every season ending spiral, but had faith that they would bounce back. What kind of fan are you if all you wish for is to see your team raise the Cup, even if it means that your team is the second or third team that you’ve declared to be your team.
The fan that proclaimed that he’s done being a Kings fan even admitted that, ”The Ducks' win is still fresh, so it hurts. That's why I'm done with hockey for now. But I admit, if the Kings can get it together, I may be back." Oh, awesome, take the easy road out. Be that guy. Everyone hates that fan (or maybe it’s just me). I’ve been a Kings fan since I was 6 or 7 years old (since the late 80’s if you’re curious about the year I became a fan) and I don’t plan on kicking the Kings to the curb and standing behind another organization. To me, it doesn’t matter that I’ve suffered through one losing season after another and that the organization hasn’t “rewarded” me for being a loyal fan by winning the Cup. Not every team can win the Cup every year. Not every team will always be hot and have a winning season year after year. Like any other fan, I would love to witness my squad win the Cup but I realize that not every team will have the opportunity to raise it. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy your team and I get rewarded every time I see my favorite Kings play and watch them play their hearts out. The names may change from season to season but as a whole, they’re my team, my Kings. And when the building is done, as DL appropriately calls it, and the team begins to notch winning seasons and make a real run for the Cup, I’ll be able to say that I’ve stood by them through everything, never wavering on my status as a Kings fan. Say your jokes, ask why I’m still a fan, belittle my team, point your finger and laugh at me all you want. I’m a Kings fan, I’m proud to say it, and nothing will change my mind. So when’s the time to call it quits? I say: Never.
x-posted to HLOG.
Today’s LA Times has an interesting article about how the Ducks’s recent Cup victory pissed off Kings fans (me included) and questions how the Kings organization plans to develop a winning team.
The article begins with quotes from Kings fan about the Ducks’ recent victorious season. One fan has decided to quit being a Kings fan and most fans whined about the organization not being able to do anything for the past 40 years. The frustration from the fans is understandable and even former Kings goaltender, Kelly Hrudey understood as he was quoted as saying: "It's tough because they have been patient fans, who have been very loyal, considering that the organization has had more lows than highs.”
While it may be difficult for the organization and players to withstand constantly being on the losing end, it might be even more difficult for the most loyal fans. We can’t be fired and forced to remove ourselves from the team. We can’t ask for a trade or be forced to play for another team and wind up on a Stanley Cup winning team. Sure, we can give up and/or jump on the team-du-jour’s bandwagon. But if we do either then what pride do we have left? What’s the point of being a fan if you can’t experience the lows and highs with the team? If you can’t boast that you witnessed every season ending spiral, but had faith that they would bounce back. What kind of fan are you if all you wish for is to see your team raise the Cup, even if it means that your team is the second or third team that you’ve declared to be your team.
The fan that proclaimed that he’s done being a Kings fan even admitted that, ”The Ducks' win is still fresh, so it hurts. That's why I'm done with hockey for now. But I admit, if the Kings can get it together, I may be back." Oh, awesome, take the easy road out. Be that guy. Everyone hates that fan (or maybe it’s just me). I’ve been a Kings fan since I was 6 or 7 years old (since the late 80’s if you’re curious about the year I became a fan) and I don’t plan on kicking the Kings to the curb and standing behind another organization. To me, it doesn’t matter that I’ve suffered through one losing season after another and that the organization hasn’t “rewarded” me for being a loyal fan by winning the Cup. Not every team can win the Cup every year. Not every team will always be hot and have a winning season year after year. Like any other fan, I would love to witness my squad win the Cup but I realize that not every team will have the opportunity to raise it. There are plenty of other ways to enjoy your team and I get rewarded every time I see my favorite Kings play and watch them play their hearts out. The names may change from season to season but as a whole, they’re my team, my Kings. And when the building is done, as DL appropriately calls it, and the team begins to notch winning seasons and make a real run for the Cup, I’ll be able to say that I’ve stood by them through everything, never wavering on my status as a Kings fan. Say your jokes, ask why I’m still a fan, belittle my team, point your finger and laugh at me all you want. I’m a Kings fan, I’m proud to say it, and nothing will change my mind. So when’s the time to call it quits? I say: Never.
x-posted to HLOG.
2 comments:
I just found purple crushed velvet for the first time today, and you are a sick woman...i LOVE it.
As a Philly sports fan, this latest post rings near and dear to my heart. The Phillies are a few days away from becoming the first professional sports franchise to lose 10,000 games. Go PHILLIES!!!
I hate frontrunners and bandwagon-jumpers. They make me violent. What's the point of watching sports if you just choose to root for the dominate team? In theory I'd like to give up on my teams, but I know it isn't possible even if I tried to. They are just too important to me.
ps. Happy b-day
Where in the world did you find my gift?! Don't tell me you found it in Houston! Haha, thanks, it's awesome. I just need to find a place to hang it.
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