I’m Not a Bandwagon Bucs Fan — I Just Live Here!
THE BUCS WON!
But I’m not a bandwagon fan… I’m just a hometown girl, and my team is in the super bowl!!
Oh, let’s be honest, I had no clue what was going on last night during that game (who are these people? Who’s supposed to win?)
And trust me, I had no clue what events were going on in Tampa — that is, of course, until after they were over (like the ybor shootings, mall robberies in plain sight — and apparently people are still asking Tory Lanez to perform places... in this climate??? C’mon please do better).
No part of me even wanted to go to the NFL experience in downtown.
But what I did know was that come Sunday night, I would be snacking at a smaller than small kickback at somebody’s house just like I have every year.
On that note… here are some of my snack MVPs for last night’s game:
Jalapeño poppers
Ribs
Smoked wings
The most delectable keto-friendly cheesecake
Missing: lil smokies, buff chick dip, and this one dip my old youth minister used to make that I think of all the time.
Another yearly staple? The complete oblivion of who was performing halftime!
I never know who is performing… except for Beyoncé in 2013… I prepared myself mentally, physically and emotionally for that one.
(I’ll admit, I did find out it was the Weeknd like two weeks ago, but let me say it was not an impressive selling point for watching the big game. Give me something juicy!)
Disclaimer to The Weeknd fans:
You see, football didn’t exist outside of the super bowl in my house as a kid.
Even though my dad was a H.S. Football coach and hype man, and my sister was in the color guard, which meant mandatory game attendance Friday nights in Hardee — it was the only thing to do anyway and the whole town was there.
And even after having done more than 16 combined years of cheerleading and colorguard myself.
...so it’s probably more like I was never paying attention.
But me — a lover of all the best-tasting things in life — always looked forward to the football snacks that awaited me one day a year plus a good performance... and not even the whole game. Then, just like the morning after election night, I’d have to find out who won through my parents (pre-2010) or a quick google search.
In fact, it was my English teacher that even taught me football in the first place all the way back in ninth grade (Shout out to Ms. Bell!) And tbh, my friend Ethan still has to explain the game to me any time we watch.
Except sack that quarterback — I got that one down pat.
The only difference for me this year: it was my team in my stadium! The Bucs of all people. How litchrally mental luv.
And now me and a slew of other people who think this is a cool, once-in-a-lifetime deal but probably never followed the sport anyway cause it’s just not our thing, yet find it good to root for the home team, are catching flack as “bandwagon fans.” Even though the Bucs have been A - S - S for the length of an entire childhood!
Think of it this way... you really gonna stand by your man for 18 years when he keep doing you wrong. Or you gonna sit him on ice, take some time apart, and when he finally shows you he can do better, then yeah let’s see what you about!
So yeah, I’m here to defend all of the people who are gonna dust off the old jersey regardless of the team just like they do for EVERY SUPER BOWL, and somehow be called a bandwagoner because our city actually did the thang! I mean, what are we gonna do otherwise? Root against them?
Also, can we discuss people that get mad at fans that switch their alliance based on a player. Like why isn’t it okay to just stan a really good player and not the whole team?
Most of all, why are there so many rules when cheering for sports?
And another thing: you think we wanted it to be here? Yes, it’s historical but at what COST? Day in and day out road closures and traffic. Can’t even park in downtown to go get Eddy and Sam’s on your friend’s birthday because of the exhibits. Businesses closing early... the list goes on.
All of that is neither here nor there... because in the end I do not even care that much about football or any other sports ball.
I’m simply coming to you as the girl who literally just shows up to eat and tweet no matter who is in the super bowl! And even though the commercials and halftime performance fell so, so flat this year, (like ideal halftime would’ve been Meg ft. Beyoncé or maybe the city girls or cardi)... I still tweeted out some gems — at least to me.
But you know what, y’all are right! I have seen the true bandwagoners. The ones who get football AF and Tampa AF out of nowhere and not even from Tampa frfr and never watched a game on a Sunday (and definitely not on a Monday)... but why does it bother you? Why are you mad at that?
Just let them live in their truth! That truth being that they looove sportsball — and the Bucs and the Lightning and the Rays, and the other teams that are hyping up the Bay right now — and always have allegedly. Let people have fun!
Chances are, they will stop posting soon enough, especially when the moment has passed.
But for anyone who is questioning MY allegiance to sports and the Buccaneers franchise, here is my promise to you: I solemnly vow to watch just as little sports as I have in the past 24 years of my life and not to root for a team ever again — only halftime performances and snacks!