Why The Word 'We' Is Ok As Fans

We invest our time (watching games and commentary, reading blogs and articles) as well as our money (clothing, memorabilia, tickets) into the organization with the expectation of a positive output (championships, community and the chance to watch highly talented human beings perform). I’m proud to say we because we as fans fuel the organization and as you said, neither could exist without the other

The very speedy Mr. Turbo Gay. :-)

I believe the term is “We dey”

…one of my friends watching the game with me (not a Steeler fan, but was rooting for us last night) said to me afterwards…

“I have never seen anyone with such passion for their team. There are fans and then there are Steeler fans”

I am beyond proud to be a Steeler fan.

I could never put this much time, energy, thought and passion into anything named “them,” but I could do it for something named “us.” Fans deserve ownership. Without us there is no them.

The Steelers have been around a long time, compared to many other teams out there. For me, I inherited a love for the Steelers from my dad, watching the games with him in the old days. I honestly never thought of being a fan of any other team. My whole family comes from Western Pa. Almost everyone had to move because of jobs, etc. However, I don’t think any of us lost our love for the Steelers. Pittsburgh people own the team and the team owns us to some extent. Many of us inherited our loyalty from our parents.
Big Ben talked yesterday about how the people of Pittsburgh accept him. I believe he said we are hard working, dirt under your fingernails people. This is very true and I think this is why we are such faithful and proud fans.

even though we aren’t technically part of the team we, because of our love for the team and the manner in which we express it, make players want to be a Steeler.

I like to think that perhaps because of us some players may take a pay cut to stay with us or are less likely to be upset with their contract or the like (I don’t see Harrison complaining about what he is making).

I know when Tomlin said “I absolutely love you guys” after we wont he AFC championship he really meant it. And perhaps that makes him, as well as others, less concerned about money and just plain happy to be a steeler.

I don’t ever use we when talking about specific actions of the team. I might say “our favorite team”, but I usually use the term ‘the Steelers" when talking about the team, which is neither a them or a we. I tend not to have a problem with people who do, unless the people use it to talk a little too tough on behalf of the team. "We aren’t afraid of the Ravens. They can’t hit as hard as we do" Comments like that bug the crap out of me, but I digress.

That being said, I was very touched by both Rooney and Tomlin, as well as some of the players, commenting on how much the fans, Steler Nation as we so proudly and deservedly call ourselves, mean to the team.

I have been a fan for as long as I can remember, and I do remember very vividly where I was and how me and my family all reacted when Franco caught that ball barely off the ground and forever became immortalized as the immaculate reception. I was hooked then, and have remained hooked ever since, even though I have not lived in or even close to Western PA in well over 20 years.

I’m not a member of the team, so I personally will not use we when referring to actions of the team itself, but I am most definitely a proud member of “we”, The Steeler Nation.

well i wasnt sure how to write this post and i dont think i did a great job.

my point was not to try to draw a line in the sand of either ‘yes i say we’ or ‘no i dont say we’.

Rather, it was just intended to comment on how the Steelers really do play for their fans and care for them and appreciate them. As I mentioned, not sure what the tangible effect is, but it’s very noticeable and real when you listen to Tomlin, Rooney, et al.

It’s more that the entire ‘we’ – ‘we’ the fans and ‘they’ the players – the amalgamation of both makes for one consistent and very proud and committed franchise.

Anyway…

I suppose thats why I try to avoid esoteric posts like this too often – very hard to get across what I intended on the first crack, and God knows I don’t edit these posts nearly enough as I’d like to.

I can understand both sides. There is a guy on the local sports talk radio station here in ATL that often gets on people for saying we when referring to the team they love. To an extent, and being kind of nitpicky myself sometimes, I try to avoid saying we when discussing the Steelers, because I have never been officially associated with the team in any way. But, on the other hand, sometimes I do say we just because it’s easier than saying the Steelers every time. But, anyway, I’m pretty happy to be a Steelers fan right now, regardless of whether I say we sometimes or not. It’s great that Dan Rooney and Mike Tomlin appreciate the fans so much!

I think the usage goes back to the Steeler Nation which is acknowledged by many with the team. In my mind the team and the organization are included in that grouping. There would be no us without them – if you get my drift. So when I use “we” its in reference to the whole enchilada.

Also…when you’re trash talking with the random Cowboys bozos we all run into…or fans of other ilk….it’s a lot easier to use “we” and “they” to refer to our beloved team and the nefarious scoundrels that oppose them.

I pledge fandom to the Terrible Towel of the Steeler Nation and to the seasons for which it reigns, one dream, sixty minutes, with titles and championships for all.

I usually try not to refer to the Steelers as “we”, simply because most of my football talk takes the form of breaking down plays and matchups. When the Steelers have seasons like this one, I get very excited about it, but let’s be honest: I didn’t contribute in any meaningful way to what they accomplished this year. And conversely, when they have down years, I’m bummed about it, but I don’t feel much personal responsibilty for it: I’m sure I don’t take losing nearly as hard as the players or coaches do.

The other reason I try not to use “we” is that I live in “hostile territory” (i.e., another city with very involved fans who don’t like the Steelers). When those fans use “we” when talking about their team, it can be really obnoxious to me. And it seems to really bother them if I do the same talking about Pittsburgh.

However, when I’m talking football with other Steeler fans, I do find myself slipping into saying “we”. Partly because it’s simpler. And partly because the Steeler Nation is definitely a “we”. Being a part of this fan base definitely means that you’re a part of something real.