It seems that, eventually, all great teams of prolonged excellence becomes hated sooner or later, at least by most people not part of the team's fan base. It happened to the Yankees. It happened to UCLA and Duke. It happened to Notre Dame. The Celtics, the Lakers, the Bulls. Now, it is happening with the Patriots. We can't stand it when a team stays on top for too long. Why is that? It is all about simple jealousy, or is there a deeper explanation?
2007-12-28 07:43:15 · 14 answers · asked by Professor X 5 in Sports ➔ Football (American)
This is a good question.
I think it's because the country was founded by underdogs. We are always looking for that next team to have a shot at greatness so it keeps everything in check. Same goes for politics.
When the Patriots were underdogs, I loved that team. I even won money betting on them. Same thing with the Red Sox. But now, they have become so over-exposed, I almost can't stand Boston sports as a whole any more. Yes the teams are good, but that doesn't mean the rest of us can't get sick of them.
It's not jealousy as much as fatigue from all of the coverage and hype. I think it also has to do with the level of smugness that a fanbase gets after years of success.
Just look at all of the Patriots fans patting themselves on the back in this forum. Now I know why their nickname is "The Pats" [rimshot] but seriously folks...
We are a Nation founded by underdogs and always need an enemy in politics or sports to provide motiviation.
We can all appreaciate greatness, but we can also hope for the tide to turn and somebody else to have the spotlight for while. It will happen. It always does.
2007-12-28 07:52:56 · answer #1 · answered by Jasone 3 · 5⤊ 2⤋
That's always some part, you'd be lying if you denied it. But it's not JUST because they're good. I think it's worse in this time of mass-media. The media networks cover these winning teams so much that people get sick of watching it. We all know what's going on with the patriots, so we'd like ESPN or NFLN to cover our own teams more. Sports coverage has become more about storyline and drama (see Tony Romo & Jess Simpson ordeal) than about actually reporting sports. It doens't help that there's an extreme east coast bias in the media (Yankees & Pats). ESPN is located on the east coast, and while NFLN's shows are filmed in LA, the NFL's headquarters is in NY. They both give excess attention to eastcoast teams even when they're not doing as well as the Pats are now.
2007-12-28 15:53:48 · answer #2 · answered by Andy T 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Its the jealousy that makes people say the entire run is tainted. They want it to be so bad that you get people like Maximus who attribute Spy Gate to all the players, coaches, etc. Like Rodney Harrison was editing the footage. All you have to do is look at how rediculous the vast majority of the posts about the Pats are to realize where they're coming from. How many of them A. say Brady is gay B. refer to the team as the Cheatriots or Gaytriots C. rail on how overrated Tom Brady is D make the excuse of the AFC east as the reason the Pats are undefeated (like theres never been a bad division in football until this year) and it goes on and on. It's all petty name calling because they're team can't beat New England.
2007-12-28 16:28:43 · answer #3 · answered by Buy Sam a Drink 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Red Sox, Patriots and Celtics in one season. It is mass jealousy for the rest of the country and absolute pleasure for the 6 New England states (OK, not you Fairfield county, CT).
2007-12-28 17:24:46 · answer #4 · answered by mattapan26 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I think you are 100 % right when you say they are jealous, they are all just pissed off that their team sucks compaired to what the Pats are doing and will be doing ( GOING 19-0 WITH THE SUPER BOWL WIN )
IT WILL PROBABLY BE 50 YEARS OR MORE BEFORE SOME OTHER TEAM MATCHES THAT RECORD.
and that crap about them cheating is getting old, the Jets did it before the Pats at the same game, and all teams do it every week, that is why the coaches hold up charts in front of their mouths when they speak. the Jets and Pats just got caught doing it all the other teams have their own way of cheating,( piping in false fan noises comes to mind.) so all of you who complain about the Pats need to move on and get a new life, ( the one you are in right now sucks.)
Why do you think that the NFL decided to give the game to cbs nbc and nfl network, Its because fans want to see history being made, Brady getting the passing record, Moss getting the Receiving record, The pats getting the total touchdown record, and other records too, including 16-0, they already got the record at 15-0 for regular season.
2007-12-28 15:53:58 · answer #5 · answered by Claude D 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Patriots fans are making up their own words now!! Oh, Brother!
2007-12-28 16:26:09 · answer #6 · answered by the anomaly23 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm just waiting for someone to break a record cleanly without any sort of asterik on their season, i.e. Barry Bonds, Patriots spying, etc. Someone just break a record the old fashion way.....by working your *** off or just being great. If you're not going to do/be either, you shouldn't have any records.
2007-12-28 15:51:14 · answer #7 · answered by Kelevra 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
IF The Patriots Did NOT cheat, I would have respected their record, But they did, therefore their record will be tainted, PERIOD. So real justice would be that they get knocked out of superbowl contention by losing in the playoffs.
I HAVE LOST ALL RESPECT for the PATRIOTS, untill they make a Clean sweep of all their players and Coaching staff, I will NOT have any respect for them.
2007-12-28 16:00:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 5⤋
Who wants to see the same team (if it isn't your team) win all the time...that's boring.
2007-12-28 15:47:21 · answer #9 · answered by G 4 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Who cares if we are hated? We are 15-0 and that's all that matters!
2007-12-28 16:14:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋