Referring to sports teams in first person

[_random_]

When is it acceptable to refer to a sports team in the first person (e.g. "We're gonna have a great season." "We totally kicked the Cleveland Browns' asses.")? As a moderately big fan of the Cincinnati Bengals, I tend to do this a lot during football season, and my non-sports-watching friends often make fun of me for it. Is it really such a bad thing to do? Why or why not?

 

[azzaman333]

You have to be at least an active supporter of the team. Just liking the team isn't enough to refer to them as "we".

 

[Skwink]

I believe this was discussed on Big Bang Theory once.

 

[Verarde]

Active supporter, player on the team or in the employ of the team.

 

[warpus]

I support 2 club teams: Chelsea and Toronto FC

With Chelsea I usually do not use the "we" because I've never been to their stadium, any of the games, or even set foot in that country. I do use it from time to time because I do keep close attention to player movements, strategies, and all that jazz, so it feels like I'm sufficiently invested in the team and how it does to feel a part of it.

With TFC I go to a lot of the games, participate in the chants.. I am a part of the 12th man. "We" comes up a lot.

 

[Ronojoy1917]

I used to get irritated when fans did this (you're not on the team..), but then I became something of a fan and slipped into the habit. So I guess IF I DO IT it must be okay.

 

[GhostWriter16]

If they're your #1 team or Downtown is involved.

 

[peter grimes]

Unless you are an employee or owner it should be avoided.

I'm one of those annoying people who will express surprise upon learning that you are a member of the Mets or Yankees organization if you say "I hope we win!"

Sports teams are moden-day tribalism, not really humanity's best quality.

 

[LucyDuke]

I think of it more as idolatry than tribalism.


If you don't actively work with the actual team, no "we" nonsense.

 

[warpus]

I think of it more as idolatry than tribalism.


If you don't actively work with the actual team, no "we" nonsense.

What about the 12th man phenomenon in soccer? Supporters groups play a big role in the sport.

 

[peter grimes]

What about the 12th man phenomenon in soccer? Supporters groups play a big role in the sport.

Don't know what that is, but if it's something about the crowd affecting the players on the field then I'd be willing to accommodate 1st person use by people physically present at the game *and only during the game*.

 

[Mise]

Link to video.

 

[madviking]

We should've gotten Peyton Manning.

 

[JollyRoger]

It's "we" when the team is winning and "they" when the team is losing.

 

[Takhisis]

What Mise said, to a degree.

 

[Veles]

When it's a hometown or national team.

 

[peter grimes]

Yeah, what we said through Mise's video clip.

We're great satirists - way better than you lot!

 

[jtb1127]

Is it really such a bad thing to do? Why or why not?

It's not a bad thing to do, but it's irritating. The fans aren't playing and they have no effect on the outcome of the game so it's not correct to say "we" as if they do.

 

[Eran of Arcadia]

If it's the Green Bay Packers and you own stock.

Which I totally do.

 

[MagisterCultuum]

I selected only "If you're a player on said team," although I think that coaches and possibly owners should be able to use such terms too. I would not count the teams accountants, publicists, etc,, as part of the team though, and certainly think it is odd for a first person pronoun to be used by a mere fan.