When the Baltimore Colts NFL franchise, owned by the Irsay family, packed up and left in the middle of the night, in the dead of winter, the community of Baltimore and the state of Maryland was left shocked and alone (at least, as far as their NFL ties were concerned). The NFL sat back and allowed a once proud NFL city to go without a team for nearly 12 years (1984-1996); however, Cleveland Browns owners Art Modell moved his organization to Baltimore in 1996 due to poor attendance and limited success in Ohio. 
Modell was viewed as enemy number one in Cleveland at the time, the same response Irsay received from Baltimore, but the return of a Baltimore NFL franchise was heralded as a classy move by the NFL, more specifically, the Modell family.
The now successful lineage of Baltimore football has been reborn with the face of the Ravens organization being Ray Lewis (allow for chuckles and scepticism here). The story of the city's football team appears to have had a happy ending...
With that in mind, take a minute to consider how you would feel if your favorite sports franchise were to leave its current city and take up residence in an entirely different state. Considering the questions below, respond in at least 5-7 sentences.
This is DUE ON THURSDAY, January 31st by the beginning of class (7:30 am).
How would you feel? What would you miss most about your team being gone? Do you think you would still cheer for that team? Be thorough and explain each of your responses.
I think hopelessness would best describe the anger, hurt, and deep sense of loss that would envelope me if my favorite franchise were to move. As fans, we live vicariously through our team, so the loss of our team would, at its core, translate to the loss of our dreams and our potential to transcend the limitations of our uninspiring lives. We like to think that our support has an impact on the athletes’ performance, but a franchise’s move would render us replaceable. Therefore, a perceived lack of impact on our part challenges our individual worth and leaves us wondering if any of our efforts even matter. Furthermore, a move excludes us from the potential of belonging to a greater community or of being intrinsically connected to history, and there are no other viable substitutes for the opportunities having one’s own team provides. Having been so devalued and abandoned, I don’t think I could continue cheering for the team because they no longer represent my town, my culture, or myself. Exposed to a new environment, they become a new team, changed by the culture of their new home and foreign to the loyalties they left behind. A relationship with a team cannot be one-sided; if it is, it’s not a relationship. In order for a team to have my loyalty, it needs to recognize that it owes something to its fans. If nothing else, it needs to stay in its native town in order to demonstrate to its fans that their emotional investments in the team have not gone unappreciated. It is this understanding between the team and its fans that makes sports dominate the lives of so many individuals, and it is this lack of understanding that could destroy the role of sports in society.
ReplyDeleteI think, ultimately, sports serve as a reminder of what makes us great. If you are a Bears fan, you enjoy the fact that your team is unrelenting, defensively, and chooses to "punch" people in the mouth with their style of play, offensively. That's what has made the transition to Jay Cutler and the Bears new style of play so difficult. If the Bears were to up and leave, I think that the city as a whole, for a period of time, would be ravaged by sadness. The Bears, Soldier Field, and the identity that has always been there is quintessential Chicago. I would NO LONGER follow the team.
DeleteI would personally be very disappointed if my home team would be moved to a different city because off all the history and achievements made throughout the franchise in the town. It would also mean that most of the fans they had gotten throughout the years would most likely stop rooting if the team moved. For example with the Blackhawks I would most likely miss the atmosphere at the games. On t.v. and live. It would not be the same with a different team. It would be a completely different team with the same team name. I now understand the pain that the Colts fans went through. Leaving all that history and memorable moments behind would be tough. I still think I would cheer for the old team that moved because they represented my city before and have not let me down. I wouldn't want to let them down just because they switched teams.
ReplyDeleteI genuinely believe that there is no way that the Blackhawks would leave Chicago, ever. They may be the one team, next to the Bears, that could not leave. The Cubs would probably retain a majority of their fans due to the fact that Cubs fans are by nature transient (if you go to Arizona or Florida, everyone loves the Cubs).
DeleteKnowing that my team has left home would probably kill my day. I would be so disappointed and sad because it may be unfair that my team has left home and won't be back soon. I would miss all the cheering and the major plays that my home team has put out for us. I would defiantly still cheer for my home team just because i have lived through their time in my childhood. But i would probably go find another team that i like if i find out that my team has left. But i will always have spirit for them.
ReplyDeleteI would feel hurt and betrayed from the NFL or any franchise that would just pack up and leave in the middle of winter. Without notifying the press and fans on the move they were planing on doing.I would miss cheering for my football team that I wacthed every single Sunday.I woulld also miss going to game with the family and tailgates together. I personally would not cheer for the team that left my city so cold heartedly.I think at this point you can cheer for whatever team you want because your city is without football.
ReplyDeleteIf my team were to leave my city I would be devastated. I would never be mad at the team though because there is always an important reason for teams to relocate. I would defiantly still be a fan of my team if they moved because I'm a die hard fan and I would sick with the team I grew up loving. I would really miss going to some home games and feeling that atmosphere surrounding your team in the city. If my team left my city I would just be sad, not disappointed in the team, I would still be a huge fan of them.
ReplyDeleteIf my team left my city in the same manner that the Colts left Baltimore, I'd be pretty disappointed. After cheering for one team my entire life, it would be brutal to just have that team taken away in the middle of the night without anyone knowing it was going to happen. Sports teams contribute to the way people spend their days after school or work, or with their friends on weekends. People gather together to watch the big game on Sundays and without the sports team, there wouldn't be as strong of a bond. This is probably what I would miss the most. I would most likely still be a fan of the team even if they did leave my city. But if a new team came in place of the old one, I would start to pay more attention to that new team.
ReplyDeleteThe though of the Bulls leaving Chicago is hard to grasp considering the legacy they have here, but if they were to leave i would be distraught. I couldn't imagine having a team pack up and leave over night, it would just be unreal and shocking. I wouldn't be able to root for the team that left because it leaves a bitter reminder that they should still be in our city. The thing that would be the hardest to say bye to, would be watching all the games. If the team moved across states, chances are you wouldn't be able to watch the games on TV.
ReplyDeleteIf any of the teams I root for move their franchise to a different city I would feel like the Baltimore Colts fans, angered and betrayed. Moving to a different city is awful, but I would still cheer for the team, because true fans don't give up on their teams. I won't be able to see the team at home games or on television, but I would do anything I can to get as close to the action as possible. The worst part of seeing a team leaving would be going to the games. Everyone wants to see their favorite team live and in action, but with a team moving to a different city that isn't possible. Also, the fans would be missed, because you can relate to people on how the team is performing or other news by sharing the same passion for the team.A franchise move is never good, people will be heartbroken, the city will lose money, and most importantly fans including myself will have their beloved team taken away from them
ReplyDeleteThe bears leaving Chicago would probably never happen, but if it did I think that a lot of people, especially my grandpa who is the definition of a super fan, would be devastated. I would be disappointed but to be honest I wouldn't cry about it because I'm not a huge fan of football. I wouldn't cheer for them because I would think of them as the ones who betrayed their city and fans. Also I think that it wouldn't take 12 years for Chicago to get another NFL football team like what happened in Baltimore.
ReplyDeleteAs a person who truly appreciates and loves the game of football I could not imagine if Virginia McCaskey decided out of the blue to just pick up everything the bears owned and move to another city. It would obviously devastate me because football means a lot more to me then it being just a game. I grew up being taught to love Chicago Bear football and say they just left in a fashion such as the Colts did that would just be heart wrenching. I think what I would miss most of all is that I wouldn't be able to wake up every sunday and look forward to watching the twelve o'clock game with my family. Also and I know this might sound stupid but the fact that I could call it my team even though I'm not on the payroll it's my team. You feel as though you are part of the team, when they score and they're all excited you're jumping up and down yourself getting excited when someone like Knox gets folded in half you really and truly feel for him. All in all, If the Bears ever left like the Colts did that would be a huge part of my life gone and I would be very upset.
ReplyDeleteI know if my favorite team packed up and went to a different state I would be very disappointed and hurt. Although my favorite team (The Cleveland Browns) are very bad and not even in the same state I live in, I am still a die hard Browns fans. If the Browns ever left Cleveland for a second time I would definetly not cheer for them anymore and I would feel betrayed. Leaving one time is already bad enough. The one thing i would miss if The Browns left would be the fan section known as "The Dawg Pound". I would most likely just become a Bears fan.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking for Bears fans everywhere, we'd take you. I've always looked at Cleveland and Pittsburgh as the AFC versions of the Bears.
DeleteI am a sports fan overall, particularly football. I can't say that I necessarily have a FAVORITE team, although, I guess being from chicago I tend to root for the bears more than any other franchise. If the bears were to depart from Chicago I would still follow them, and chances are they would still be the team I cheer for more than any other. By no means if the Bears left chicago would I be heart broken or not know what to do with myself. I am not a season ticket holder and have been to maybe two games in my lifetime, if I was a regular at Soldier field I could see myself saying otherwise. Without the bears in the windy city, and no replacement team, I would miss having a football team in general. I don't think it necessarily has to be the Bears here, but what kind of city doesn't have football? NOT THE ONE ILL EVER LIVE IN!!!!!
ReplyDeleteHey guys by the way if we're really going to do this blog thing lets make it interesting and upload a profile picture.. you guys are all boring as hell with these B's
ReplyDeleteGrowing up I have always followed football and basketball. The Bears and the Bulls are my favorite teams in their leagues but I would not say that I am a super fan. I enjoy watching all teams play, but obviously if a Chicago team is playing I am rooting for them. Considering that, if a Chicago team ever went to another city I would be shocked. I would feel betrayed by the organization. I don't see why they would have a reason to leave, the fans here are loyal, enthusiastic and proud. If a Chicago team left our city then I would be mind blown because I do not see a possible reason why they would.
ReplyDeleteAs most of you know, I am a huge hockey fan. I love watching hockey every moment of the day. If one of my favorite teams left the league or got moved some where else, I would be pissed and unhappy about it. This isn't fair to the people who love this team and organization. No matter if they keep the name or logo, it's still not the same. I couldn't love the team as much as I did before.
ReplyDeleteIf the Bulls or the Bears were to ever leave Chicago, I would definitely have a negative reaction, as many people in Illinois would. By no means am I saying that I am a super fan, but I do love watching them play. Many people here are committed and dedicated fans to our teams and get really hyped up during games, and I enjoy them, as well. If our teams were ever leave, I would feel very disappointed, betrayed, and a little hurt. I would mostly miss watching games with my family and going to games. I don't think I would ever cheer for the team again. I would probably still watch the game, but I would root against them. A team who would leave their city and fans devastated definitely do not deserve those loyal fans to continue to cheer for them.
ReplyDeleteI'd be disappointed in a team if they packed up and left the city. The relationship between the fans and the team is crucial for sports to survive. If this trust is broken, fans like me are not likely to carry on supporting them. I see the teams I support as part of who I am, like a friend. I wouldn't trust a friend again if they left me like that. Once they're gone, I would probably support another team but it wouldn't be the same. I'd miss watching the games with my family and discussing the game with anyone that would listen.
ReplyDeletePutting myself in the place of the Baltimore Colts fans when they packed up and left is unimaginable. The way the team went about leaving was completely wrong and I don't know how they didn't expect anyone to be upset. Part of me believes that the owner was just a jerk and that not everyone was completely up for the move. Having no team in the town you live in wouldn't give you any incentive to watch the games. Unless you're a die hard fan of the sport, most people root for the team that represents where they're from. I'm also surprised at how long it took for an NFL team to come back to Baltimore with all the support they had. If I were a Baltimore Colts fan I would feel completely abandoned.
ReplyDeleteI think for any Chicago team to actually get up and leave in the middle of the night is almost inconceivable. We as a community are so absolutely close to our teams. It seems as if there might actually start a riot if the Bulls would leave The United Center. I would feel completely alone if this happened to me and i feel sorry for Baltimore but it is great that in the end the tradition continues with the Baltimore Ravens.
ReplyDeleteIf my team left the city i would probably be really mad. What i would miss the most is just the atmosphere of having an exciting sports team. For example i love watching hockey games more than any sport in chicago. In my opinion the blackhawks bring the most entertainment from watching a sport in chicago. If the blackhawks were to leave i would probably not cheer for them. I would feel somehwat betrayed by the team if they left our city. Why would i cheer for a team that i feel betrayed by. Theyre supposed to represent our city and by leaving they would go completely against representing our city.
ReplyDeleteIll use the Bears as an example. I love the bears. That mainly because i was born in Chicago and thats the team i grew up loving. Even though i hate to say it, if i was born in Wisconsin i would probably be a packer fan. If the bears left Chicago i honestly don't know how i would react. So hopefully that will never happen, because that would really suck.
ReplyDeleteim a big time raiders fan n it would suck to see my team leave their city even though i hate california i love the city of chicago n it would suck to see a chicago team leave the greatest city on earth to go to some jagoff state n play for their people. i feel bad for anybody who once loved a team n had to see their team go. for example, the seattle supersonics were the shit but due to poor ticket sales n marketin of the stadium they became the thunder but it is what is every new generation there will be new teams
ReplyDeleteIf the team I rooted for left the city, I would probably be really disappointed and i would feel betrayed. Not that I am a big sports fan, but I think that as a city you take a pride in the accomplishments of your home team. When your favorite team or athlete does good, you feel proud and then to have them leave just over night would be extremely disappointing, because you feel like they belong to you in some way. I think the different sports teams help bring communities closer, you feel like you share something special with the people around you. If my favorite team were to leave my city I would most likely not cheer on that team anymore.
ReplyDeleteI would personally be very annoyed and agitated if our home team just got up and left the city. For them to do that and then to also start to play for another team is insane. I don't understand how sometimes players go from team to team to team. If you play for one team you gain respect for it, love for the city and you start to earn the cities trust that youre going to try your best. Then when you transfer to another team that all is gone. I would not cheer them on if our home team transferred to another city.
ReplyDeleteIf my favorite team were to just get up and move to an entirely different state I think I'd be pissed and upset. A team like the Bulls or Bears somewhat represent Chicago. If they were to leave and go represent Miami or something it wouldn't be the same and it would leave the city of Chicago somewhat bare. I think what I'd miss most is home games. And I don't think I would cheer for that team anymore. Maybe for a certain player but otherwise I would just cheer for the hometown teams that are still present.
ReplyDeleteIf my Favorite team was to get up and leave in the middle of night i would feel deserted. Not only are they not playing for the love of the game, they are just simply leaving their once beloved town for a place that may or may not yield more profit. With that being said i believe that team is so involved with their community that not only will it devastate a town or city but it would also lower the moral of the team . The teams moral will deferentially come into question because are they driven by the love of the game or are they simply just there for the money? This even is a perfect example of how things come to full circle, they had to learn the hard way that there can only be one team for that town, an if they switch they will be seen as traders, such as the team the San Francisco might figure out, but it may not be as devastating because they are just simply moving about 40 miles away, which is nothing compared to moving out-of-state. If my Favorite team was to move i would attempt to get them back like they did in the movie.
ReplyDeleteim not like a die hard sports fan, but i know forsure if my favorite and town football team just got up and left over night i would be schocked and sort of like dissapointed because it belonged to our town. it would feel like we were being betrayed a bit if they just started playing for another town. so many years of being fans, cheering for the same team and whithin one day its all gone its pretty sad, it would feel like part of the community just broke off. with sports it creates a bond with people. like we saw in the video they were all united and happy cheering for the same team, but the town coped with it well and learned to except thieir new team just as equally. i would still probably always keep a part of the team close.
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