Gary Brackett goes there: Colts are supplanting Cowboys as "America's Team"
by BigBlueShoe on Oct 26, 2009 2:02 PM EDT
in Analysis
112 comments
Not long ago, a poll conducted by Harris Poll asked people who "America's favorite football team was?" Predictably, a poll which samples 2,334 people, with only half those people polled saying they actual follow professional football (um, seriously, WHAT?), ranked the Dallas Cowboys #1 as the team everyone ranked as "America's Favorite Football Team."
One of the reasons there is this perception that the Cowboys are "America's Team" is that their fans used to travel so well with the club for away games. You'd see Cowboys fans in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Green Bay, etc. Today, you don't see this as much, which is why I think Harris Poll is a bunch of crap when trying to determine "America's Team."
But, if the Cowboys aren't "America's Team, who is?
I personally don't know, but if I were to do any kind of research into this, one of the first things I'd look at is how well do fanbases travel with the team's they root for. Two teams that have great traveling fanbases are the Steelers and the Packers. But, seemingly right there with them in today's game, are the Colts.
Indy has played three major primetime games in six weeks, and in each of those games the Colts have been on the road. Yet, when you look into the stands, be they in Miami, Phoenix, or Nashville, you see a lot of Colts blue. I mean, enough to make people like me say out load, "There are Colts fans in Phoenix?" Just FYI: The Cardinals made the Super Bowl last year, and almost won it. But if you looked into the stands at University of Phoenix Stadium in Week Three, you saw almost as many blue jerseys in those stands as you did red ones.
Indeed, for much for this season, Colts players have noticed that fans decked in blue have shown up to more away games than ever before. Just this past Sunday, the look and feel of the Edward Jones Dome more resembled the old RCA Dome than the home of the St. Louis Rams. This was something Colts linebacker and defensive captain Gary Brackett noticed, and it prompted him to make a rather bold, but perhaps accurate, assertion (from the Indy Star):
Linebacker Gary Brackett insisted the Colts nearly have supplanted the Dallas Cowboys as "America's Team.""When we travel, you always see a lot of Colts jerseys out there," he said. "We feed off that. On third down, you could feel the crowd get going when we made a play."
Brackett is on to something here, because I've noticed through the TV what he's noticed live. Since the Cowboys have been pretty much irrelevant for 14 years, and since their fans no longer travel so well because the team is so very bad, have the Colts indeed supplanted the Cowboys as "America's Team?"
The presence of such a large number of Colts fans at away games has even gotten the attention of Peyton Manning, who made a great point Sunday about how the culture in Indy has changed since when he first arrived in 1998:
"It's funny," he said. "It used to be that way when I first got (to Indy). The Dolphins fans would always travel. The Steelers fans would travel and the Packers fans, those were kind of the teams that would travel. Even out in Arizona when we played, there was a lot of blue out there."
At the end of the game, Peyton thanked the fans who'd traveled to St. Louis, the QB seemingly in awe of how many blue shoe jerseys cheered from the stands. Dwight Freeney and Kelvin Hayden called Sunday's game a "home game." Players were buzzing about the traveling fans all during the interviews and after game press sessions, showing sincere appreciation for fans in Colts blue on the road.
At the end of the day, does it matter who thinks what team is "America's Team?" No. I personally don't believe any one football team truly is "America's Team," despite what corporate media and the Dallas Cowboys want to shove down our throats. But what this new wave of traveling Colts fans is showing us "old timers" is that the fan culture surrounding Colts football has changed... permanently.
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I always thought "America's Team"
Meant that the ignorant fools who don’t follow football say they’re for the Cowboys. Kinda like the Yankees or Lakers (or Bulls back when Jordan was playing).
If that’s the case, then the Pats would have to be called America’s Team.
by slash196 on Oct 26, 2009 2:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Look at the Harris Poll
Even during the days of dominance for the Patriots, not many considered them “America’s Favorite Team.”
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by BigBlueShoe on Oct 26, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's what I've always thought of it as well
Which team has the most pink jerseys? Which team has the most fans that you can tell them more about their team than they can tell you about them? That’s America’s team.
Don’t get these people confused with casual fans. There is a difference. We’re talking which team has the most “die hard” fans that are clueless.
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If you start talking about
which team travels the best (which was not what this article was really about), then I’d still have to say the Steelers. Their die-hard fanbase is insane, in more ways than 1.
Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.
Man, I need a life...
Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: This video right here has produced one of my favorite lines ever. It was so awesome that there has been 2 sequels. One where you must put a banana in your ear, and another where you must grab their tongues. Purely awesome.
by Cassieper on Oct 26, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Traveling creates perception...
The point was the the Cowboys’ travelling fans helped create the perception, build the story, that they were America’s team. Also they had to have an image you can trust, and be role models.
Shoot, the Colts organization is role models for everyone. Who wouldn’t want Caldwell as a boss. Looks like a guy that would hold me accountable and I wouldn’t mind, since I’d be 6 and 0 at whatever it is we do here.
The Colts story is that the face of the organization is Peyton Manning. He is the nice looking nice guy who is good because he works really hard.
The Colts story is that they win because they insist on winning “the right way™”. Thank you Dungy.
So I totally buy this. Plus, this comment is the kind of useless fluff ESPN people like to discuss at length. I hope the idea spreads.
by darrint on Oct 27, 2009 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I for one
am thrilled Peyton noticed me at the SD regular season game last year. =-)
I wear my AFCCG hat alot on the weekends and I can’t tell you how many times people have had positive comments and/or mentioned they were also fans. Its been quite alot, especially in the last year or two. It’s amazing what winning a SB will do for a team, I guess.
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Oct 26, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Honestly, I had to remind myself that the game was a road game.
The crowd was cheering and booing based on what the Colts were doing, not what the Rams were doing.
by vintagephoenix on Oct 26, 2009 2:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah I agree with this completely
It was awesome man. Like when the refs called that Bulger fumble “stopped forward progress” the stadium erupted in “boos.” I was shoked…I heard on the radio that 65% of the fans there were cheering for the Colts. I was walkin around town before the game and I thought I was in Indy…EVERYONE had on Blue and White jerseys. It was a great experience for my first away game!
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man, I really wanted to go. I love St. Louis as a town.
It helps that I’m a life long Cards fan.
by vintagephoenix on Oct 26, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
it was great
and their fans are really cool too they arent total tools like most Taxan, Pats and Steelers (no offense L V) fans. When I was walking to the stadium some Rams fans stopped me and asked us “not to beat them too bad” and they were just friendly people all around…it makes goin to away games fun when you dont have to worry about obnoxious fans pissing you off and ruining the day.
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate to say it (as I despise St. Louis)
but it is the prototype for a Midwestern city (once you cross into Missouri). Friendly, clean and easy-going.
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
until you hit East St Louis lol
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I went there once when I took a wrong turn
and I have to admit I was scared. Very scared.
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
did it at midnight
after a Goo Goo Dolls concert
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
All right. Brackett may not have been directly quoted as saying such
… but Chappell’s a very accurate writer. If he states that this was indeed Gary’s sentiment, then it was Gary’s sentiment. Chappie wouldn’t ever make anything like that up.
That said, while I love Brackett’s enthusiasm and positive attitude – man, that guy believes in Indy’s system, and to this day I’m glad Polian found this undrafted jewel in the rough and gave him the chance to prove himself as a player – I admit, I do harbor a small fear that his sentiment will end up as locker room “clip” fodder for the game between Dallas and Indy next year. And should the Cowboys and Colts end up facing each other in the Super Bowl (here’s to hoping Indy’ll make it!), it can be locker clip material for this year (or rather, season). So part of me has a small worry over this. But I admit, the rest of me is looking at that 6 – 0 record and thinking “let ’em get pissed!”. (* huge grin *)
Blech… yes, I’m schizophrenic on this issue. Part of me is going “Oh, no!”, while the rest of me is going “Hell, yeah, say it again! Drive that point home!”. LOL… I think I’ll lurk some Dallas fanboards this week and see if there’s any outrage :-D. Maybe it’ll be fun to be the troll for once. ;-)
------
"How can a pickup truck contain enough mass to unfold into a towering machine? I say if Ringling Brothers can get 15 clowns into a Volkswagen, anything is possible."
by E.M.H. on Oct 26, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not sure why traveling support = America's Team
I think a better metric would be how many local residents who would ordinarily not turn out to watch Team X play at home do so when Team Y plays there. Trying to gauge the traveling support of a team is a good way to determine how dedicated Team Y’s home fans are, but not necessarily a good measure of how popular they are countrywide.
For what it’s worth I don’t think anyone will ever take the mantle of America’s Team from the Cokeboys. And I don’t know why anyone would want to. That stupid title should be buried with the team’s venal owner. Right now the title fits the Cowboys perfectly, in a perfectly ironic way.
When I'm on the mic, I'm like global warming, you can't ignore me.
by tehGrindCrusher on Oct 26, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think you're on to something re: turning out to a Team X game if Team Y is playing
That’s what it’s like to go to Oakland A’s games when either the Red Sox or Yankees are in town.
How can you not love a team that does this?
by LovinBlue on Oct 26, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wish we could come up with a good slogan like that.
Can’t use America’s Team, you just can’t erase all the history that comes with that slogan.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
by Indy Lori on Oct 26, 2009 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is an overraction to one game against a terrible team within driving distance
It was a perfect storm of events that lead to a very pro colts crowd.
1) It is a 3.5 hour drive from Indy to St. Louis
2) Rams tickets aren’t exactly in demand so colts fans got them without paying an exorbitant markup.
This isn’t a continuing trend, its an isolated incident.
This is not even comparable to what Pittsburgh does, which is put fans in consistently sold out buildings great distances from their home area.
by TheNoodleMan on Oct 26, 2009 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
How then
Do you explain all the Colts jerseys at the Cards and Dolphins game, or all the Colts jerseys in Nashville a few weeks ago?
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by BigBlueShoe on Oct 26, 2009 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
there are always some away fans at every stadium
I didn’t see an unusually high amount of colts fans at any of those games
Let be honest the following statement is absurd hyperbole:
“if you looked into the stands at University of Phoenix Stadium in Week Three, you saw almost as many blue jerseys in those stands as you did red ones.”
This is a shot from the NBC coverage, I see seas of red with a few Colts fans. This strikes me as about the same number of opposing fans I see at Lucas Oil every home game.
by TheNoodleMan on Oct 26, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
During Pittsbugh's 2007 game with Arizona, around 20% of the crowd was wearing the B&G
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Stampede Blue's Resident Steelers Fan
I need to find another stupid artifice to put here
by LV Steelers Fan on Oct 26, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That explosion
must be Kurt Warner after the 2nd interception
How can you not love a team that does this?
by LovinBlue on Oct 26, 2009 6:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm so glad
That the normal crew is getting here. Earlier was a DISASTER
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
nothing against Pittsburgh
but I don’t think its fans traveling. It is displaced Pittsburgh fans. I mean the city has lost 300,000 people in population in the last decade. Still even considering that the top fanbases in the NFL go Steelers, Packers, Colts
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Plus all the Bandwaggons that hopped on
after they win a superbowl…Every team has banwaggon fans, but IMO Steelers and Pats are the two worse.
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But it is a continuing trend
The three most recent games in San Diego have had considerable Colts partisans attendance, and in my estimation the crowd has grown each game.
Arizona was awesome. I would guess there were 10,000 Colts folks in the building.
St. Louis was something else entirely, and it was an awesome thing to see. Obviously the reasons you mention played into that.
I am looking forward to my first trip to the Luke this weekend!
by colt nasty on Oct 26, 2009 3:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Using the wrong metric to Judge Ameirca's team
I don’t think fans traveling from one city to another to follow a football team in any way makes that team “America’s team”. Nor does a scenario where a where people who have moved to the city where the game is being played come to the game to support their traveling team. Both of those scenarios are clearly people from that team’s city and not America as a whole. Of course Steeler fans travel; what else it there to do in Pittsburgh? Sorry Steeler fans but I acknowledge the same can be said about Indy……….at least we have less pollution in Indy ;-)
In the 1980’s, when I was young and lived in Indy, I also like watching 49’ers games because they were exciting to watch with Jerry Rice, Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott. The Colts were prety bad then too. I think the Colts are sort of like the old niner teams (they need more Championships but…)
Think about prolific teams with great offenses, they usually don’t last long: The 90’s Vikings team that went 15-1, the Ram’s Greatest Show on turf lasted a few years, The 2007 Pats (the jury is still out how long the offense will be prolific but it’s safe to say it won’t be prolific to the 2007 level), and now the Saints.
The Colts have been entertaining for 7 years now but really longer (since 1999 give or take 1-2 years in between). I would say America’s team would be a team people like to tune in and watch on TV even though their home team is someone else. I don’t think Pittsburgh qualifies for that because, although they are airing it out this year, over the last decade they play they bring the “run on them smash mouth style” of football. It’s very effective but boring when you are spoiled like Colts, Pats and say the circa 2000 fans are/were. Another reason is this:
It seems like after huge Colts games, I remember seeing newspaper articles that this was the “highest rated regular season game in history”. I have seen multiple articles like that for Colts games. Some of them have been Colts and Pats games. Although the Pats have a bandwagon following them outside of Boston, historically their offense wasn’t as exciting as the Colts. They played a more defense oriented style of football which was more boring to watch (unless you are a Pat’s fan) but got it the Superbowl multiple times. Because of this it would be hard for them to become Amerca’s team……for everyone to like you there has to be something underdog-ish about you. The Colts are prolific but don’t have many Superbowls so they aren’t hated as much as New England – The 16-0 season New England had made a lot of New England haters and Manning has so many more commercials vs Brady its clear that marketers believe Manning is more marketable than Brady (can’t wait to hear Pats fans fire off on this comment). If people like Manning better than Brady they’d probabaly prefer to see him win.
In addtion, with so many NFL fans having contempt for their arrogant coach and accusations of cheating. I’m not saying they did cheat. but that America’s team wouldn’t be a team accused of cheating.
So where does this rambling leave me? I don’t know if America really has a team but based on ratings the Colts are one of the top 2 or 3 over the last decade.
Bentframe: Die hard Colts fan since 1987
From Indy but live in Sydney now.
by Bentframe on Oct 26, 2009 11:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like it better
being under the radar. Don’t want to be “America’s Team”.
by tim55 on Oct 26, 2009 3:11 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
America's Team? Maybe, sexy? Yes.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
by Indy Lori on Oct 26, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
haha - rec'd
How can you not love a team that does this?
by LovinBlue on Oct 26, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Traveling Fans
There are Colts fans all over the place. I live in Florida for instance and while I didn’t make it to the Miami game, I’ll be at Jacksonville on Dec. 17.
by Brad Herold on Oct 26, 2009 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I went to the game
And I’d estimate it was around 70% Colts fans. I’ll give Rams fans credit, because they got loud when it mattered for their team. But the Colts fans obviously dominated the entire crowd.
by Aerostar193 on Oct 26, 2009 3:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I was there too
and you might be givin rams fan a little too much credit lol cause the only time the guy next to me got loud was to bitch about how bad his team sucked lol
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's a lot of Colts fans
In Oregon, i see Colts jerseys a lot.
by santeesioux1 on Oct 26, 2009 4:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Colt fans in Iowa
When the Colts aren’t on regular TV I drive 35 miles into Dubuque to catch the games. I have been sitting with double digit Colt fans several times and I’m never alone. The Colts have picked up fans across the country in the last decade because 1) we have a Peyton, 2) we win usually with an aerial display, and 3) the organization is first class… we will never see thugs repeatedly embarrassing us on or off the field.
by coltfan59 on Oct 26, 2009 5:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm just glad
That this didn’t turn into a troll fest like the recap. I hope the open thread tonight can be drama free.
For what it’s worth, being able to claim the title “America’s Team” is only really useful or desirable for one reason. And that is revenue. The Colts play in a mid-sized market could do themselves some good in the bottom line if they were a team that could be embraced by the whole of the nation not in a market of another team. It is also a powerful force for the City to connect to its many expatriates. This may sounds silly, but these sort of relationships and familiarity with a City are the first threads that tie someone into a City’s lifestyle.
And unlike many other City’s with successful franchises, Indianapolis is clean, relatively safe, and very affordable. It’s also in a generally pro-business state. Also, the City could use that to add leverage for their campaign to become “The Sports Capital of the US”, which is something they have been striving for. They have managed to corner many aspects of the Amateur sports world – but really need a few more championship seasons and national exposure for them to capitalize on their pro sports successes. The Pacers holding up their end of the bargain would be nice as well.
That’s my two cents.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 5:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agree about the Pacers. We used to have hope when Reggie Played.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
by Indy Lori on Oct 26, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reggie was clutch
from three point land…
/sigh….I miss him
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He didn't make a very good commentator at the Playoffs last season.
Maybe he’ll get better this year.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
by Indy Lori on Oct 26, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Definitely better as a player than a commentator
Still – I miss him, too. When the game was on the line, I always had hope that he would make it. Like now with Peyton. Give him 2 minutes at the end of the game – he’s money.
Anyway, back on topic. There may be more Colt’s fans, but I agree with other posters that when the Colts actually have gathering places meant for their teams outside of the region, it’s a sign that their fanbase is growing and populating every year.
I’ll be in Dallas for the game against Baltimore so I’m hoping I won’t have to drive around too long to find a bar or pub to watch the Colts play that week.
by Gwen on Oct 26, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Idk about anywhere else
but around Southern Indiana the best place to go for a game or PPV fight is Buffalo Wild Wings….plus they have damn good wings there lol
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BWW is ok, and I normally like wings.
but I’m not a big fan of that place, for some reason. Maybe if I sat at the bar area, it would feel more like a community.
by Gwen on Oct 26, 2009 7:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You have to sit in the bar area
Or else, it’s just a restaurant
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 7:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is true
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Now I know why I don't really like that place...
Two words: Food Poisoning.
by Gwen on Oct 26, 2009 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yikes
But you can’t really let one experience kill a whole chain for you. Remember when Jack In The Box closed all throughout the Midwest because of Salmonella? Now, Jack is coming back and they are pretty freakin awesome for a fast food chain.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have never had problems with the one in my town
minues a waitress getting lippy with me but hey she’s cool with me now so all is well!
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope everyone is aware of the fact
that the Steelers were originally offered the title of America’s team by NFL Films, but refused it because they were not media, well, you know. The Cowboys were second in line, and gladly accepted because they were(and are) media you-know-whats. The Colts certainly have a burgeoning fan base, but one that remains largely regional. St. Louis is a quick hop across Illinois from Indiana. The Steelers, on the other hand, started as a completely regional fanbase, and then increased in coverage and number much in the same way as a dandelion; the winds of economic misfortune scattered the seed pods of Pittsburghers to every corner of the nation(and world), and with them, their tastes in football teams. A great example of this was the 2008 game in Washington, when literally half of the 80,000 seat stadium was filled with Steelers fans. These certainly did not make the arduous 6-hour jaunt from western PA, they mostly were from the DC area. The Steelers and Cowboys(America’s Team or not) still have the largest fanbases in the nation, and its not really even close. At any rate, I’d rather have the Steelers known as the Team with Six! :-P
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Stampede Blue's Resident Steelers Fan
I need to find another stupid artifice to put here
by LV Steelers Fan on Oct 26, 2009 5:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is true
the Colts may have a great fan base, but I think it is limited to the Midwest. I feel like the only teams that really have a national following, in that you will find fans of those teams all over, are the Steelers, Cowboys, Packers and Raiders. Now, since the Raiders suck, it has become less noticable, but their following is immense around the country. The Colts are in the Giants/Pats/Broncos level with tons of dedicated fans in that area, that will travel really well to close by areas, but not do with those top 4 can do.
EVH+DLR=BFFr........ God I Hope So!!
by dmstorm22 on Oct 26, 2009 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One wild card in this
Is that the Colts nearly had to start from scratch 25 years ago, as many of the old Baltimore Colts fans left for another team or switched to the Ravens in 1996. Thus, the Colts have an impressive number of fans considering these circumstances.
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Stampede Blue's Resident Steelers Fan
I need to find another stupid artifice to put here
by LV Steelers Fan on Oct 26, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
the Colts are the St. Louis Cardinals of football
They have a huge regional fan base because outside of Chicago’s immediate vicinity everyone hates them and the other regional teams suck. Therefore the Colts being so successful are able to lay claim to large parts of Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Colts also have the advantage of being by far the most successful midwestern franchise
Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, Chicago and St. Louis have very few fans outide of their metro area, while the Colts have large numbers of fans across the entire Ohio Valley-Midwest Region. Obviously, I am considering the Steelers to be a Northeast Region team.
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Stampede Blue's Resident Steelers Fan
I need to find another stupid artifice to put here
by LV Steelers Fan on Oct 26, 2009 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thats an interesting argument I've been having
cut off Philly and give it to Jersey. Does that make Pennsylvania the Midwest then? I think so.
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The real geographical boundary between the NE/Mid Atlantic and the Midwest/South
Is the Appalachian mountains.
Glory is fleeting, but obscurity is forever.
Napoleon Bonaparte
Stampede Blue's Resident Steelers Fan
I need to find another stupid artifice to put here
by LV Steelers Fan on Oct 26, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As someone who has traveled quite a bit in the last few years...
I do notice Colts caps, jerseys, and t-shirts at events and airports (and always give props when I see them!). However, in many big cities, there are no Colts bars I have found. It could be that I am not looking in the right places, but it is relatively easy to find Steelers, Vikings, or Packers bars in these same cities. There is a widespread Colts fan base, but not to the point of those three teams. Maybe we just need to band together and open some new bars in cities across the country!
by jantz101 on Oct 26, 2009 6:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Outside of the Steelers and Packers
I’ve never seen a “team” bar outside of their respective metro areas or the rival metro areas, ex. Red Sox bar in NYC.
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Four Peaks Brewery
in Tempe is a big Vikings bar. Thats where my Vikings reference came from!
by jantz101 on Oct 26, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
As for Phoenix
It is difficult to find people who were born there. Most people there are transplants so its not abnormal for visiting teams to take up half of the stadium. As a Cubs fan, all Cubs, D-Backs games I went to were 75% – 25% Cubs fans. Phoenix hasn’t had the sporting tradition to successfully pull home team support yet…
by jantz101 on Oct 26, 2009 6:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this is what I gripe about all the time!
Phoenix is Chicago West, that’s why we (the Diamondbacks) can’t ever get anyone to show up to the games. We’ve yet to have the ability to have that young generation that has grown up nothing but DBacks fans.
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
There are more and more of you guys though!
I went to a Dodgers D-Backs game in LA and there was a good contingent of D-Backs fans there. I was kinda impressed!
by jantz101 on Oct 26, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well we (www.azsnakepit.com)
are doing our best to give D-Backs fans an outlet to talk about the team. I probably wouldn’t still be a fan if it wasn’t for this blog and my ability to discuss the team. As you can guess AZ fans don’t exist in Indiana.
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
**shameless plug
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't know about that
I live in Atlanta, and I can’t find a “Colts bar” in this city. Every now and then I’ll see some other Colts fans watching a game, but it isn’t anything like what the Steelers, Cowboys, or Redskins have. I wish we had a bar….
by hoosierdore on Oct 26, 2009 6:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i can say here where i live in cali. there are many colts fans and as
people know we got many teams to so it is def. spread out but u do find a lot of colts fans out here on the west coast.
GO COLTS!!! 09 IS OURS!!!
by ANGELSFAITH on Oct 26, 2009 7:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Developing that sort of camaradie
Is what the concept for my now-failed blog, Speed Blue Nation, was. My idea was to find and target Colts fans all over the country, and let them know how many of their brethren there are in their area. And eventually provide tools for them to promote Colts fandom in their area(including developing a Colts bar/grill franchise with a collective ownership structure). When I get my personal situation more resolved, I plan on following up on those aspirations at a later date.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 7:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Thats a cool idea
I live in Evansville and there really not a lot of Colts centered places…sure people have their logo hanging up but no bar really designated for fans to go talk. Kinda sad since its in Indiana…
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well if you can wait a few decades
when I get rich and I mean WHEN, I plan on opening up a nice little sports bar for solely those reasons just north of Evansville
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha where at North?
hey Id love to help you jump start that plan. Im sick of haveing to watch games by myself. I do like coming here and chatting with all you fine ladies and gents though!
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 7:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gibson County somewhere
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Someone tried that here in Indy, on the north side, near Fishers,
I think it was called the Blue Crew Bar and Grill.
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
by Indy Lori on Oct 26, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It's still there
A great place. That was kind of the idea. Kind of a “Cheers” type place for Colts Fans.
Where everyone knows your name
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought they closed?
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
by Indy Lori on Oct 26, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not to my knowledge
I think the Single owner/operator franchise concept doesn’t work for this. You have to get the fanbase in the local area invested in it, and be “members” of it. Sort of like a American Legion.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That sounds interesting. Are you talking about here in Indy?
"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino
by Indy Lori on Oct 26, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Possibly
As maybe a flagship. But I have some demographics that are helping me target a few select Metros.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 7:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
one being
evansville? I really dont wanna have to drive to Indy to go to a bar lol
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Probably
I have two different size formats. One is the “corner bar” format, and the other is the “feature sports bar/grill” concept.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 7:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
well sounds good...
I have been waiting for something to come along. There’s a pub just west of where I live called Ziggy’s Pub. It uses the Colts Horshoe as the “U” in pub but other than that I dont think it has anything to do with the Colts…those false advertising bastards!
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 7:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My dream
Would be to pitch this to Jimmy Irsay and have him invest in the concept. Cross your fingers.
Call me Jim!
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please come to Cali!
San Ramon / Danville specifically :-D
How can you not love a team that does this?
by LovinBlue on Oct 26, 2009 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let me Google Map that
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holy Hell!
THAT’s where you live? I used to drive through there on 680 three times a week taking troops to Travis AFB in Fairfield as a casual duty.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 8:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was just at Travis this weekend
a friend got married and had his reception there – I feel so close to you!
How can you not love a team that does this?
by LovinBlue on Oct 27, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unfortunately
I live in Indy now, but it is cool that I’ve been through your neck of the woods several times. It’s a pretty neat place, even though the NCO bar is a little weak. The Hospital there has a mean breakfast though – especially for a military hospital!
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 27, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
haha
dream big! its not like it would be a huge chunck of change for him to help a brotha out lol
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It would be helping him out
In the long run.
Think of the way that could establish a sense of community amongst expatriate Colts fans. That could help increase non-shared revenue substantially.
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah
I agree totally. I had the discussion about the soda “ski” a while back with someone (I think it was marked hoosier) Have you heard of it?
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sounds radom
but ill tie this all together in a minute lol
Bob Sanders does not play Hide-and-Seek, He plays HIDE and PRAY-HE-DOES-NOT FIND-YOU!
by coltsfan723 on Oct 26, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great idea
I’m a Cali resident and while the Niners are kinda fun to watch, I would rather spend my Sundays chatting with a fellow Colts fan. Get it started Bullard! I’d love to help any way I could…
by jantz101 on Oct 26, 2009 7:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
"the fan culture surrounding Colts football has changed... permanently"
This seems like wishful thinking more than actual fact. We won’t know if the culture has changed permanently until the Colts have a series of down years (i.e. after Peyton retires).
I’d love to paint a rosy picture for everyone, but while I was growing up in Indy the Colts had virtually no following (and rightly so, the product was terrible) and Indy fans remain some of the least educated about football out there. We can’t really be blamed for that, Indiana was (and still is in my estimation) basketball country. This may be changing because of A) Peyton Manning B) class based high school basketball and C) the demise of small town Indiana (and the advent of cable tv and the internet).
Its possible that Indiana is becoming a football place, and it’s possible that it will survive the coming lean Post-Peyton years, but to claim that as a fact rather than a hope is foolish. Until we do have a fan base that survives that we can’t compete with the Steelers, Packers & (long suffering) Cleveland fans.
by kasey_junk on Oct 26, 2009 7:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I believe that
Indiana is becoming a football state. Notre Dame is a strong tradition, but Purdue, IU, Ball State, hell even ISU are starting to take their football programs seriously. People in this state want to watch football. I believe that the Colts will maintain their popularity in the region dude to the way that the organization is ran and the fact that the Pacers may not be in Indy in 10 years(It makes me sad to say, but it might be true).
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 26, 2009 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's always the disclaimer people use..
which is warranted. The Colts will eventually become average, it’s how the fans react afterwards. Will they still buy tickets? etc etc.
One thing to remember is that the Colts came to Indiana in 1984, and they were almost starting over. Each generation is, what, 25 years? I think this generation of Colts fans are getting older, having children and thus grow their fanbae that way, as well.
by Gwen on Oct 26, 2009 7:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Unrelated Note!
I just found out my brother got us tickets to the Colts/Patriots game! I guess I’ll count as a traveling fan.
by hoosierdore on Oct 26, 2009 7:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
sounds like my girlfriend is
trying to get Colts-Jets tickets for my Christmas present. Don’t tell her I know
Indianapolis Colts, taking focus away from my DBacks every Sunday.
by AJforAZ on Oct 26, 2009 8:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Titans Game
I live in ATL and I drove to the Titans game a few weeks back and spend the afternoon in Nashville, and downtown Nashville was just Blue, not Titans Blue but Colts Blue, it was crazy, so many Colts fan everywhere, and we would cheer and give each other high 5 in the streets on Nashville, it was really fun!
Once in the stadium it was about 40 % Colts fan and with the blow out, most of the Titans Fan left at Halftime, the second half was definitely won in the stands by the Colts fan.
I also made it to the season opener and will try my best to make it to Jacksonville in December!! but I surely do miss living in Indy and seeing 5 to 6 games a season at the Dome (Memories, Memories)
by Sebo13 on Oct 26, 2009 7:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
America's Team
I personally attended the Colts vs. Cardinals game in Phx. You would not believe the amount of Colts fans there. Just one group of Colts fans rented out an entire resteraunt for a pre-game party. I went through the Miller Light Official Tailgate Area and again visibly more Colts fans than Cardinals. I figured there would be some Colts fans but not the extent that I witnessed. I would say 1/3 of the stadium was wearing Colts gear. 1/3!!!!! It was an incredible experience. Indy is definatly becoming America’s Team. People hate the traditional teams with alot of fans i.e. Steelers, Dallas, Patriots, etc. The Colts are finally a team people really enjoy watching and cheering for. Go Colts.
touchdowncolts.blogspot.com
Back when I was picking beans in Guatemala, we used to make fresh coffee, right off the trees I mean. That was good. This is shit but, hey, I'm in a police station.
by TouchdownColts on Oct 27, 2009 3:23 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Arizona Game
I attended the Colts game here in Phoenix as well. I was stunned to see so many other Colts fans at the game. I had so much fun giving high fives out all night long. By the fourth quarter, there were way more Colts than Cardinals fans there. The lower bowl was almost all blue!! I was born and raised in Indiana and have been a fan my whole life. I still have my inaugural season beer stein from 1984. I went to games when they sucked too and I hope all these other people stick around during the Post-Peyton era. Thank goodness, we have a few more years before we have to worry about that. GO COLTS!!!!!!
by arizonajason on Oct 27, 2009 5:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
There are a lot of Colts fans around where I live
It’s pretty noticable.
"Brett Favre was a man who thought he was retired, but he knew it wouldn't last."
by Colts Homer on Oct 27, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought
That you lived in Indy?
I also wish I had time and motivation to blog at Speed Blue Nation
by Bullard47 on Oct 27, 2009 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, huh?
"I throw, you catch. It's NOT that hard!"
Peyton Manning, SNL, 2007
by peytonsthebest on Oct 27, 2009 3:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's what makes his comment so funny
deadpan, like Steven Wright
How can you not love a team that does this?
by LovinBlue on Oct 27, 2009 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
colts fans are everywhere
my cousin (who is hosting my FF league) is a colts fan, and he lives in phoenix. he was at the game and in the front row corner, reggie caught that pass RIGHT in front of his face. he owns manning on his FF team, and donald brown. so, yes, you can find colts fans EVERYWHERE. (it helps that he lived in indy when he was 9, i think he was a harbaugh fan)
by Colts_and_Cavs_in_09! on Oct 27, 2009 8:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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