Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

OK Im throwing this out for discussion.
I feel like I might need a dadgum support group... I was set in my ways and new my identity as the fan of a team who had NEVER arrived. I could battle against fans of any team in the league with informed discussion as to how My Saints were going to be better Next Year. Now we are on top looking down and I as a fan am left trying to figure out who I am supposed to be. What is our identity. I feel like I am in Limbo. I love the problems I face Today. Id like to stand at the end of the Wagon with Reggie's "Bring The Wood" Bat and hit home runs with the heads wagon jumpers around here. Maybe i'm bitter.

HELP !!!!!!!:bng::bng::bng::bng:

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

I'm not sure if I can help, but just don't forget where you come from. Keep it humble. Be proud, but be humble. Don't forget your roots and don't hold it against the teams that have also been trying to get what we finally achieved but have never arrived. One more thing, don't forget you are now representing the DEFENDING NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE SUPERBOWL CHAMPIONS!! WHO DAT!!

:bng::bng::bng::bng::bng:

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

ur upset because you arent rooting for the underdog anymore?

if you are looking for a new team i heard the buccs and panthers are looking for some people to lead the charge

we are winners......if we have a bad season next year.....its a disappointment.....however......we are considered one of the worst teams in NFL history and if we crawl back into mediocrity nobody will cry for us.....we have to stay hungry and do it all again next year

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

No no...I think I know where Falconhater is coming from. It's really weird to go from defending your team who has never been to the big game to defending your team about their win in the big game.

For most of us, its a huge change of pace. We go from the team that is scrutinzed and unrecognized, to the team to beat. It's an unfamiliar feeling being fans of the World Champions when for so many years we were fans of the "underdog".

The word "Aints" is burried (literaly) and our team is on the map, getting more publicity and is entrenched in Super Bowl history.....

I dunno....just smile and say, "I told you we would make it."

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

Lets just enjoy it while we can. Who knows how long we can stay on top.

On another (but somewhat related) subject, Brett Favre said he still is undecided about whether to return to the Minnesota Vikings for the 2010 season. Let's see how long Childress and the Vikes will wait for His Highness to make up his mind.

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

Thats it exactly... kinda new frontier...Im not complaining like i said i like the problem just need to grow into the role.

Lets as fans just not become arrogant like the Pats fans have.

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

I don't think people/media/opposing teams believe we are the team to beat. We will still be looked at as underdogs till we put together some back to back winning seasons. So Relish in the victory for now but I think things will be back to normal until we reach it again. So not alot of change once we start the new season.

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

That was the point I was trying to make. Be proud of the accomplisment, just don't be arrogant. I don't want someone to confuse me with a Cowboys fan. LOL



Speaking of Cowboys fans, I’m going to hijack this thread just a minute and tell a quick story.

The Friday before the Saints / Cards game, I was in a restaurant for lunch. I was wearing my Saints gear that day for “casual Friday”. There were several Caddo Parish deputies sitting at a table next to me. One of the deputies, who was a Saints fan, asked me if I would scoot over so he could take a picture of me next to his Captain, who happened to be a big Cowboys fan. I got up, stood next to his Captain, wearing my Saints shirt, and holding up my finger for #1, (not the other finger). We BS’ed a little bit then I left. Saints won the Cards game.

Saw them in there the next week. I told them that we were going to beat Minnesota and go on and win the Superbowl. He said that Minnesota was going to destroy us. Saints beat Minni.

I saw them the week after the NFC Championship and told them we were going beat the Colts, that there was no doubt in my mind. The one Deputy who was a Saints fan told me he was showing the picture he took to all their friends. The Captain told me he was not happy because it makes him look like a Saints fan. This, of course, was all done in fun. I wasn’t being arrogant; I was just having fun talking football with other football fans.

Now, about a week and a half after the Superbowl, I saw the same Deputies in the restaurant without the Captain. They called me over to their table and told me that the Captain had a heart attack the day after the Superbowl, but was doing OK. They said that the Captain said that it was all my fault, that I was in trouble. They were just joking with me, but of course, I’m thinking, “oh crap!” I told the Deputy (the Saints fan) to give the Captain my best, that I would say a prayer for him.

I have not seen the Deputies or the Captain since then, but I get a little nervous every time a Sheriffs Deputy car gets behind me on the road.

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

"Wagon Jumpers" around where?

Where you live, or on this board?

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

Don't change a THING. No one expected us to do this at the start of the season. Now that we did it, that we "arrived", we HAVE to be better Next Year. 2009 no one expected it from us. 2010, now they'll be gunning for us. We HAVE to be better this year. We did a great thing. Now we have to do it like last time, only better.

StgHulka, nice story. Let us know if the Chief is ok.

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

I'll keep you posted.

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

All I have to say is Two Dat®

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

It does feel a little weird rooting for a team on top. Most, if not all of us have never been in this position before.

My boyfriend keeps telling me "Just enjoy it while you can. I was in your shoes about 10 years ago (he's a die-hard Broncos fan) Trust me, the haters are waiting for you to fall on your face so savor it as long as possible."

I'm just glad we're no longer the laughing stock of the league. That honor goes to St. Louis, Detroit and Tampa Bay.

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

Well I am still in dazed land.
"Forever" I "just" supported the Saints and fought my corner, but never claiming the tide would turn. Usually I won through because I could point at periods when other non-Saints were fair weather fans. And I could never be accused of that.
I am staggered that many have come back and applauded the Saints win.
So what for the future? Inevitably expectations must change. We are no longer the Aints. It is confirmed that the Saints organisation IS good and CAN deliver. Ask me again when we are back in play and playing poorly. Will I be an angry "we are better than that" supporter? Or will I fall back into my pre-SB mode of never really expecting the Saints to win when it mattered? I dunno.

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

Next year the haters will be in full force, cuz we are the champs they will want the Saints to go away so some "looks good on paper" team like the Bears or the Jets can win. This is where we must stand our ground as fans and put the haters in check and let them know the Saints are a force to be reckoned with in 2010.

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

The fact is that we are the CHAMPS! You can call it bragging, talking trash, or whatever you want. I had so many people, out of state friends, telling me that my Saints were gonna lose throughout the playoffs. So, i've been rubbing it in ever since the superbowl. Even if we have a terrible year in 2010, not gonna happen, we are the 2009 champs and no one can ever take that away from us! Be proud and talk a little trash to an Atlanta fan, it'll make you feel better. LOL

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

I can only give the "Older Saints Fan" point of view on this. So bear with me.

After the win, I felt peace. Vindicated; in a way. After 30+ years with this team, it has all been worth it. I personally feel that this Super Bowl trophy is for everyone who has put on a Saints uniform. I don't have boastfull attitude about, but I have a billion "SaintsMen" in my soul, that a doing an Irish Jig 24 hours a day.

I am still the Saints fan I was before they won the Super Bowl....well, maybe just a little happier. I have not "WhoDat'ed" my truck out or anything like that. I just get a little smerk on my face everytime I see SB44 Champions merchandise. Just becaues.

Don't let yourself change too much. Rather, simply sit back, relax and enjoy it. Because it can never be taken away.

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

I second that..ive been a fan for over 30yrs and have been thru hell with this team..Now i can tell all the *******s who tormented me to ****off..Go ahead and try and call us the Aints now!!!

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

My thoughts exactlly

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

Now this is an interesting statement as St. Louis and Tampa Bay both won superbowls. So they have gone from champs to laughing stocks. The Saints need to make sure they do not (re)join this group.

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

This is a problem I have waited ot have for a long time.

I've stayed loyal for 30 years. I've got pissed sometimes & packed all my Saints stuff away BUT I brought it out after a couple of months.

This is the first professional team that I support that has EVER won a championship while I have been a fan - I like it!!
(I am also a Cubs fan!!)

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

I know what you mean to some degree. This is the first time in my life that when I meet someone new I feel like I have to explain why I'm a saints fan. For most of you guys in louisiana Im sure you dont have this problem because you see saints fans every day. Its not a common thing to be around here.

Honestly, the win still hasnt totally sunk in for me, I still watch youtube videos daily and get teary eyed. One things for sure, its going to be weird come august when I wont have that feeling of, "well maybe this year will if eveything goes our way."

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

people ask me who my team is and i say the saints.....but now i feel obligated to follow that with....but ive been a saints fan forever

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

forever?

Re: Identity Crisis for Saints Fans
 

Feels like forever!