Why should we dislike the 49ers?

[60niners]

Lol this thread is great. I'll make a few points then standby... haha.

First, one poster back on the first page pointed out the scope of the rivalry; I think Cleveland and Cincinnati shared something similar back in the day... and Steelers and Ravens to today as well. It is still relatively unique though.

Some of the way you guys describe Niner fans is pretty amusing. Imagine you're standing inside a glass dome, the glass is red in color, but not opaque. You look to the man next to you and he looks normal, but everyone outside your dome appears redish and weird. Well, same as you peer out on all the redish freaks, everyone outside that dome peers in on those redish freaks the same way .

Except we're not peering out of a red dome to see redish freaks, we're looking into your red freaky dome to see the freaks. Our dome is nice and cool and blue and not freaky at all. Except on game day.

Immediately after that post I thought that I should have used a more neutral color lol. Green would have made a better analogy.

Anyway, the post was made partially in jest, and partially to say the feeling is mutual

 

[Hawks46]

Actually, I didn't have a problem with SF fans the two games I went there. At that time, the Niners were sucking pretty bad, and the Hawks were declining from the SB team. We were still winning, but you could see the wheels start to wobble before they came off our train.

The Niner fans were like we were in the mid 90's: resigned to sucking but still fans. I had a few guys yell "Seahawks suck" right in my face on my way to get a beer, but most of the fans were pretty good. The guys in our section were pretty laid back and we had good football conversations. This was the game that Rocky Bernard separated Smith's shoulder and the game was a rout. Halfway through the 3rd quarter the stadium had more Hawks fans than Niners fans.

Arizona fans are the worst in my personal experience. It's a combination of wanna be's, trailer trash and Chollos. They all suck, that stadium looks like a tire, and I can't stand any of them. I should go down there this year when we thunderstomp them.

 

[SE174]

Because the vast majority of their "fans" are pretentious, unintelligent douchebags with an over-inflated sense of worth and entitlement, based upon "their" team's distant past accomplishments. :thcoffee:

Then again, when I think about it, those qualities (or lack thereof), are indicative of Oakland fans as well, so maybe it's just a Bay area thing.

 

[SE174]

I personally don't dislike the "Niners". In fact, I used to want them to win before we were moved into their division.

For me, it is the fans. Sure, we run across a few that are cool people, but no culture takes on the image of its exceptions.

Once we got to know the general population, that is all it took. Like any football fans, they have their homers, but when I realized that most of them lived in a totally alternate reality, it just made it worse.

For 8 years, that organization mastered in SUCK. Yet every time the Hawks played them, they were going to destroy them. It was the celebration of injury to SA and Hasselbeck. When Willis speared Hass in the back, they cheered for his exit.

It was the expectation of honoring their team for 20 year old accomplishments during a time that it was embarrassing to be a Niner.

Very easy to hate.

Exactly.

 

[BirdsCommaAngry]

If I'm interpreting correctly you're wondering why rivalries are more fun than jellybeans? I'm not sure I'm understanding the question here. Humans are animals, animals are tribal, when we divide into tribes over stuff that really matters it's stressful, when we divide into tribes over stuff that doesn't matter like sports it's a way to let off steam and also forget about our real worries for a time while we pretend we give a crap about sports. People enjoy that, people enjoy books, people enjoy jellybeans, there's a lot of stuff people enjoy.

I think you're bored.

My question was why engage in the behaviors of football rivalries over the alternatives. I like the tribal explanation you're offering. It suits football very well in my opinion. But it doesn't answer why people prefer embracing this singular part of football over, say, other tribal sorts of things that are arguably more beneficial and maybe even more enjoyable, like cross-fit, book clubs, sports we play instead of watching, certain kinds of video games, etc (or more of these things if it's something we're already active in).

Immediately after that post I thought that I should have used a more neutral color lol. Green would have made a better analogy.

Anyway, the post was made partially in jest, and partially to say the feeling is mutual

I like the analogy. For something in jest it does a good job of hitting the nail on the head. I think the best phrase for what you're describing is social insulation, and it's a little freaky how widespread the application of this philosophy is.

Okay now I'm leaning towards you are just a philosophical nut job.

Lol I apologize for getting preachy. Speaking in absolutes is a huge pet peeve of mine so when I see it, I feel like I imagine most of us here do when we hear the old quotes from draft analysts saying Curry was the "safest pick in the draft".

 

[SE174]

I enjoy the "illogical emotional investment" much like many here enjoy arguing over details of this rivalry. I don't wonder why this rivalry exists (although my thread title certainly implies I do). I think it exists because its fun for the people involved and the rest is just fallacy. What I wonder is why people enjoy this part of the NFL more than other parts of life - jelly beans and books included. I don't ask to judge (might act like it though). I ask because I'm curious.

Then the scope of your inquiry is much deeper than you originally stated, and has little to do with football specifically, and more to do with human nature/psychology. I suppose the simplest answer to your question is because almost everything in life exists in duality, and the overarching duality is that of good and evil, right and wrong, light and dark. It's human nature for people to believe that what they like and stand for is good (because what we like is representative of who we are), and therefore tend to assume anything that is significantly different, or directly contends with or opposes what we care about must be bad or evil, and a threat to one's perception of themselves.

 

[SE174]

If I'm interpreting correctly you're wondering why rivalries are more fun than jellybeans? I'm not sure I'm understanding the question here. Humans are animals, animals are tribal, when we divide into tribes over stuff that really matters it's stressful, when we divide into tribes over stuff that doesn't matter like sports it's a way to let off steam and also forget about our real worries for a time while we pretend we give a crap about sports. People enjoy that, people enjoy books, people enjoy jellybeans, there's a lot of stuff people enjoy.

I think you're bored.

My question was why engage in the behaviors of football rivalries over the alternatives. I like the tribal explanation you're offering. It suits football very well in my opinion. But it doesn't answer why people prefer embracing this singular part of football over, say, other tribal sorts of things that are arguably more beneficial and maybe even more enjoyable, like cross-fit, book clubs, sports we play instead of watching, certain kinds of video games, etc (or more of these things if it's something we're already active in).

I thought you didn't like to speak in absolutes?

It's not like diehard NFL fans don't care about anything else, they just enjoy football (at it's highest, most "prestigious" level) more than other things. What people enjoy and the amount that they certain things varies greatly, as there's almost an infinite number of subjects or activities to enjoy in this world. Not to mention the reasons why people enjoy specific things also varies greatly, but usually related to how they see themselves and the world, based upon their life experiences.

 

[BirdsCommaAngry]

Then the scope of your inquiry is much deeper than you originally stated, and has little to do with football specifically, and more to do with human nature/psychology. I suppose the simplest answer to your question is because almost everything in life exists in duality, and the overarching duality is that of good and evil, right and wrong, light and dark. It's human nature for people to believe that what they like and stand for is good (because what we like is representative of who we are), and therefore tend to assume anything that is significantly different, or directly contends with or opposes what we care about must be bad or evil, and a threat to one's perception of themselves.

I agree to an extent but it's also human nature to be able to override parts of oneself. What you described as people believing what they like and stand for as good has been a motive behind racism, sexism, religious persecution, addiction, etc. (It's been a motive for an equal number of good things as well, showcasing the duality you mention.) These are negative concepts our society has been becoming more and more adept at erasing despite certain parts of human nature motivating their existence. I suppose my point is just about anything is achievable if there's enough reason, desire, and effort to do so. The human nature argument is ultimately moot because it's just an extension and influencer of another concept, and that concept is the motivation tied into those those reasons, desires, and efforts.

 

[SNDavidson]

Then the scope of your inquiry is much deeper than you originally stated, and has little to do with football specifically, and more to do with human nature/psychology. I suppose the simplest answer to your question is because almost everything in life exists in duality, and the overarching duality is that of good and evil, right and wrong, light and dark. It's human nature for people to believe that what they like and stand for is good (because what we like is representative of who we are), and therefore tend to assume anything that is significantly different, or directly contends with or opposes what we care about must be bad or evil, and a threat to one's perception of themselves.

I agree to an extent but it's also human nature to be able to override parts of oneself. What you described as people believing what they like and stand for as good has been a motive behind racism, sexism, religious persecution, addiction, etc. (It's been a motive for an equal number of good things as well, showcasing the duality you mention.) These are negative concepts our society has been becoming more and more adept at erasing despite certain parts of human nature motivating their existence. I suppose my point is just about anything is achievable if there's enough reason, desire, and effort to do so. The human nature argument is ultimately moot because it's just an extension and influencer of another concept, and that concept is the motivation tied into those those reasons, desires, and efforts.

Holy crap dude we're talking about sports.

 

[SE174]

Then the scope of your inquiry is much deeper than you originally stated, and has little to do with football specifically, and more to do with human nature/psychology. I suppose the simplest answer to your question is because almost everything in life exists in duality, and the overarching duality is that of good and evil, right and wrong, light and dark. It's human nature for people to believe that what they like and stand for is good (because what we like is representative of who we are), and therefore tend to assume anything that is significantly different, or directly contends with or opposes what we care about must be bad or evil, and a threat to one's perception of themselves.

I agree to an extent but it's also human nature to be able to override parts of oneself. What you described as people believing what they like and stand for as good has been a motive behind racism, sexism, religious persecution, addiction, etc. (It's been a motive for an equal number of good things as well, showcasing the duality you mention.) These are negative concepts our society has been becoming more and more adept at erasing despite certain parts of human nature motivating their existence. I suppose my point is just about anything is achievable if there's enough reason, desire, and effort to do so. The human nature argument is ultimately moot because it's just an extension and influencer of another concept, and that concept is the motivation tied into those those reasons, desires, and efforts.

Of course, but like another poster mentioned, sports fandom is generally an escape from the serious things in life, and taking sides doesn't hurt others... unless you're a 49er fan that stabs people. Thus, this discussion has reached full circle.

 

[BirdsCommaAngry]

Of course, but like another poster mentioned, sports fandom is generally an escape from the serious things in life, and taking sides doesn't hurt others... unless you're a 49er fan that stabs people. Thus, this discussion has reached full circle.

Lmao, you're right. We're back to the part of this about personal joy and preference, or just fun, to put it simply. I suppose that makes it pretty clear how this is all playing out at its core. Fun is the motivation I was talking about and human nature dictates how we go about trying to have fun. But somethings missing... why football specifically? Human nature can say we're naturally tribal, animal-like, violent, or what have you, and football can fulfill these urges but so can other institutions and activities. So why football specifically? I think we're missing a big part here that's only been vaguely alluded so far and that's the effect of American culture on fandom.

Holy crap dude we're talking about sports.

Sports are just a subcategory of life. If we're talking about sports, we're also talking about life. (Jesus, I sound like a monk.)

 

[OkieHawk]

I can't believe this thread is so bloody long. The real reason we hate the whiners, fans is derived from fanatic. It makes no sense because we are crazy obsessed with our team. Go Hawks!

 

[SNDavidson]

This is either the best troll ever, or you have no clue. Do you think you have uncovered a big secret that we are all too glib to understand? It's not that serious bud, you're wasting your time on a football message board. Your attitude is the right one but most everyone knows that, this is entertainment. Breaking news for you, the WWE is fake too.

 

[Scottemojo]

There can be only one.

 

[rideaducati]

Do any of you remember hating the Rams the same way we hate the whiners now? I sure do. I look forward to the Rams/Seahawks rivalry and the whiners returning to their rightful annual third place finish in the division. Back when the Rams were good, their fans weren't the major arseholes we see in whiner fan now. I think that 99.999% of the dickish whiner fans weren't alive when the niners won their last Superbowl but they are the first to bring up their team's championships.

 

[djb28]

My dislike of the 49ers has nothing to do with the Seahawks. That just adds fluid on the fire now. I have hated that team since 1987.

 

[60niners]

Do any of you remember hating the Rams the same way we hate the whiners now? I sure do. I look forward to the Rams/Seahawks rivalry and the whiners returning to their rightful annual third place finish in the division. Back when the Rams were good, their fans weren't the major arseholes we see in whiner fan now. I think that 99.999% of the dickish whiner fans weren't alive when the niners won their last Superbowl but they are the first to bring up their team's championships.

Let's not get carried away here..... To say the Niner's rightful place is third in the division is ridiculous coming from a realignment team. Since we're talking about the past, it would only be fair to take a tally of NFC West division titles... And I'll even throw in a cheat for you all, you can add AFC West titles to your total.

 

[SE174]

Do any of you remember hating the Rams the same way we hate the whiners now? I sure do. I look forward to the Rams/Seahawks rivalry and the whiners returning to their rightful annual third place finish in the division. Back when the Rams were good, their fans weren't the major arseholes we see in whiner fan now. I think that 99.999% of the dickish whiner fans weren't alive when the niners won their last Superbowl but they are the first to bring up their team's championships.

Let's not get carried away here..... To say the Niner's rightful place is third in the division is ridiculous coming from a realignment team. Since we're talking about the past, it would only be fair to take a tally of NFC West division titles... And I'll even throw in a cheat for you all, you can add AFC West titles to your total.

No, it would only be fair to count division titles since both SF and Seattle have been in the same division (2002-present):

SEA- 5
SF-3
AZ-2
STL-1

 

[kearly]

I like the 49ers. That said, they are a division rival, they do have douchey coach, and a QB that is starting to exhibit signs of doucheyness as well. Mostly though, I think it's their inflated sense of self worth and attention grabbing fanbase, in this regard they remind me of Duck fans. The 49ers act as if the Seahawks should be honored to breathe the same air as them, even if they were blown out in their last meeting and even admitted they were glad to travel to Atlanta instead of hosting Seattle.

So, I like the 49ers. But I also find them very fun to root against. And since the Seahawks Superbowl chances increase with every 49ers loss, it can be pretty hard to resist fanning the flames.

 

[JSeahawks]

Mostly though, I think it's their inflated sense of self worth and attention grabbing fanbase, in this regard they remind me of Duck fans. The 49ers act as if the Seahawks should be honored to breathe the same air as them, even if they were blown out in their last meeting and even admitted they were glad to travel to Atlanta instead of hosting Seattle.

Funny, cuz to me 49er fans are EXACTLY like Husky fans. Every time you try and have a discussion with them it always reverts back to... well, 20 years ago... or, look at the history and the all time records.... or, How many Championships do you have??!?

Seahawks, like the Ducks, are the new kids on the block who don't have the most glowing history in the world but are current ass kickers and our fans are brash and cocky because of it. Always feeling like we need to prove ourselves. Plus, they both have really rich owners!