True Fans

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose
by any other name would smell as sweet;"

What is a "True Fan?" I've seen that tossed around here lately, and on the blogs, and frankly it disturbs me. Is a UGA grad any more a fan than a redneck in Dallas Georgia, living in a trailer? Are you more of a fan because you understand X's and O's better than the next guy. Perhaps you have a collection of Bowl programs that is the envy of the bulldawg nation, and this is somehow your claim to superior fandom over lesser dawgs.

We've got the pro and con-Richt crowds going at it as though one perspective trumps the other, and taking a stand somewhere marks you as more or less of a fan. The same goes for the vocal crowd that laments losses at the top of their lungs, with vitriole and spit pitted against those who suffer losses in silence, wearing their hearts nowhere near their sleeves.

I, for one, can't see a difference between any of these and myriad other differences that are the hallmark of a large school with considerable regional influence. It's sort of the reason some people shouldn't get into politics--you know, when the thought of a differing point of view drives a person into a frenzy.

"What!! You think we should keep Richt?? I'll bet you wear orange underwear. You're not a true fan."

"What!! You want Richt fired?? I'll bet you have a secret collection of protractors. You're not a true fan."

So what's the deal with using that term or any similar term as a negative on your fellow Dawgs? How about before tossing around the "you're not a true fan" turd, we first post what makes our particular position superior to the next? Hell, it'll make for interesting reading if nothing else.

Read this post twice. Came up with the same thoughts twice.

What is a true fan. Not sure that I can answer that, varies from location and time in grade.

Damn good question, will be interesting to read the responses.

Not sure what a true fan is, but those examples were funny.

A true fan is someone that cheers for their team no matter how they are doing. That is probably the most common answer. To me it is deeper. For seven months once the season ends I become restless counting down the days until the spring game and then till just practice starts. Everyday during the summer I'm constantly looking up the team trying to see if any new information is avaliable. Every season is a fresh start and I always believe in the Dawgs running the table or at least the SEC. We can lose or win, I will wear the Red and Black proudly. Majority of my internet time is used reading or watching information presented about UGA. I go INSANE when one of our games is blacked out due to Comcast picking up the game...which could happen tomorrow...ESPN3, don't let me down! This is just a small expression of me being a true fan of the University of Georgia. There isn't a "true" definition, but everyone has an opinion. I can't tell you guys what a true fan is, but what I can tell you is how I consider myself a true fan. Paradise city is Athens, GA for me and if my wife would let me when we get older, I'd retire there. Little envious of yankee and co who are fortunate to occupy the area...on the other hand I would probably be kicked out since I'd never leave the field. Hey, I'm only 23 and enrolled in college maybe I should tansfer and walk on...

I guess a "True Fan" would be the fan that can look at him or herself in the mirror knowing that they wish only the best for the Team, the Coaches and the fans. We all have a different way of expressing that, and from what I've seen and heard there are a lot of "True Fans" here.