Is there a more sadly humourous tale in sports than that of Toronto Maple Leaf Fans?

Question

I love Leaf fans, though I am not one myself. They are loyal beyond all reasonable expectations.

Each fall the Maple Leaf devotee is convinced that THIS is THE year, the parade can be cued to await its inevitable ride up Bay Street. No matter how poorly the Leafs did the year before, no matter how bad their roster looks, the true Leaf fan BELEAFS!

In reward for this loyalty the Leafs have won no trophies, team or individual, for 20 years, haven't won a cup for 40 years as of this coming spring (2007) and have had almost no first team all-stars in that time as well. In fact, even though the Leaf Fans have filled every seat in the Gardens and now the ACC since the depression, the Leafs have produced only two Hart Trophy winners in all that time.

You could put the grandfathers of all the current players in uniform out on the ice and the Toronto fans would cheer them and believe in them from the opening face off until the last buzzer.

To NightNurcee: People will always love hockey, the best sport in the world bar none! Even the fools who run the NHL couldn't kill our passion for flashing blades of steel.

To Seaway Guy: Yes, but Montreal has won 10 cups since the Leafs last won one. In Chicago they do not sell out every game.

Answer 1

Is there a more sadly humourous tale in sports than that of Toronto Maple Leaf Fans?

Um, you've heard of the Chicago Cubs, right?

Answer 2

Let's look at recent history.

In a league where only 16 out of 30 teams make the playoffs, the Leafs have made the playoffs 6 out of the last 7 seasons. They have won 40 games or more every year for the last 7 seasons. They have consistently been a middle of the league calibre team. It's not great, but it is hardly sad or tragic.

By comparison, in the last 7 seasons, the Montreal Canadiens have made the playoffs only 3 times. The Habs have won 40 or more games only 2 times in the last 7 seasons. [The Habs may have a great overall history, but the last 10+ years have been pathetic - in the world of sports, 10 years is forever - the Leafs have been to the Conference Finals three times since 1993-94 - Montreal has been to the conference finals zero times since 1993-94]

The Chicago Blackhawks are arguably the worst big city team in the NHL as of late. They've made the playoffs only 1 time in the last seven seasons. They've won 40 or more games only one time in the last seven seasons. That's pathetic! [Chicago does not sell out their rink because they have sucked so incredibly for so many years in a row ... and their owner insanely refuses to allow their games to be televised locally, which has killed fan support ... they used to be a nearly impossible ticket to get]

Answer 3

I'm a Leafs fan and damn proud. For years my family has disagreed with the management decisions made. They finally fired Pat Quinn - thank GOD! He should have been gone 4 years ago (or more). And, the smartest move ever made was getting rid of Eric Lindros and Ed Belfour! Just because we love our team, doesn't mean we agree with the underlying management decisions. Picking up Mike Peca might be a good thing - we'll have to wait & see. We love the rivalries with Ottawa Senators and the Detroit Ding-a-lings! NHL Hockey is the best sport in the world!

Answer 4

poor Leafs fans, they get up in the morning and go buy jerseys and spend all there money on Leafs crap, which makes the owners love them more but not enough to bring them a CUP.

i wish the Leafs fans can understand the owners just want to make more money, but we all really know what the game is all about its the STANLEY CUP, so Leafs fans cheer for a new team that will at least try to win you a CUP.

Answer 5

They sound like the Seattle sports fans, only more vocal and fanatic. Seattle teams have almost always been mediocre because the fans support them unconditionally - good or bad.

If you want a team to do well, you have to be critical and support them only if they're winning. Only then will management make every effort to have the best team money can buy. Otherwise, good luck, Leafs' fans, you'll keep getting mediocre.

Answer 6

Back to your original question: Yes, there is one fan out there that holds a truely sadder plight: The fans of the AFC's Buffalo Bills.


Always a bridesmaid, never the bride.

Superbowl XXV 1991
New York Giants (NFC) 20 Buffalo Bills (AFC) 19

Superbowl XXVI 1992
Washington Redskins (NFC) 37 Buffalo Bills (AFC) 24

Superbowl XXVII 1993
Dallas Cowboys (NFC) 52 Buffalo Bills (AFC) 17

Superbowl XXVIII 1994
Dallas Cowboys (NFC) 30 Buffalo Bills (AFC) 13

Answer 7

Go to a Buffalo vs Toronto game in Buffalo and throughout the game you will hear the "Go Leafs Go" chant. enough said. Also considering tickets are so hard to get they come to alot of Buffalo games just to watch hockey. I hate the Leafs but i give credit to there fans they are something else.

I live in Buffalo and yes it is pretty sad but you do need to give them credit 4 Super Bowls in 4 years is pretty impressive in itself. And yes people do still like hockey

Answer 8

"Is there a more sadly humourous tale in sports than that of Toronto Maple Leaf Fans?"


Oh, I don't know, been out to the West Coast lately?

Answer 9

I'm also a leafs fan and it gets me so mad every year when they don't do anything and lose and ya like the guy above WE WANT A TEAM!!!! for once, and that dumb salary cap stoped us from being the yankees of hockey because we can't have a roster of all big named playas anymore.

Answer 10

i am a leafs fan, and it is ture, we have the best fans in the world....hockey is the most watched sport in toronto so the media tends to cover it more than say basketball or baseball....it would be nice to cheer about something great though...