Break out your dancing shoes and gather around for the Super Bowl Shuffle, attempt to break the curse with a Billy Goat at Wrigley while you lace up your Jordans and try your best to be like Mike. Enjoy the return of the Stanley Cup, get locked up in a game at the Cell, and don’t forget to ignite some flames with the Fire. There truly isn’t a single way to describe the unique nature of the world of sports in Chicago, but hey, one thing is for certain, that Chicago is home to the most dedicated and dare I say it overly indulgent sports fans.
Each Chicago team has a diverse and large fan base that embodies such a great sense of pride that it cannot help but to explode out of each fan and seep right through the stands into the game. Where else can you find beyond dedicated baseball fans who continuously go watch a struggling team who hasn’t won a series title since 1908, yet Cubs fans still find a way to say, “this is our year”.
It is also rare to have two Major League baseball teams representing a single city, where fans put everything aside to witness what Chicagoans refer to as the Crosstown Classic which are two weekends a year where it is unacceptable to be just a “Chicago fan.” A side must be taken, Cubs or Sox. Trust me; if your team loses the ridicule will hurt just as bad as crashing into the ivy covered outfield walls at Wrigley.
With the presence of this much pride, I’m sure an outsider cannot help but to wonder, what other characteristics compose an authentic Chicago sports fan? The answer isn’t so much rooted within the separate teams themselves, but what each team does to the fans.
Adam Jimenez, 21, of Pilsen, shared his love of Chicago sports. “Chicago is one of the only cities that
has the most national sport franchises. The fans in Chicago are strong, good hearted people who always
keep their love of the game alive,” he said.
This powerful fan team connection was most certainly witnessed at the United Center during the glory of Michael Jordan in the 90s. Six NBA titles united the city of Chicago and sports fans alike to a new level. Differences between people vanished and were replaced with game stats and bragging rights, the largest being that Chicago is a home to the greatest basketball player to ever to take the court.
This familiar feeling has now been revitalized through hometown superstar Derrick Rose and has once again proven that Chicago pride is enhanced through the outlet of sports.
Who better to keep spreading the Chicago love, then Lovie Smith himself? “Da Bears” super fans are perhaps the most colorful and proud of them all. But how can you not celebrate the speed of Devin Hester, reminiscence over the Walter Payton days while reliving Mike Ditka leading the Bears to capturing their ninth NFL Championship.
Pure passion, die-hard dedication and love of sports live within the fans and light up the fields and stadiums throughout Chicago. Sorry New York but your Yankee pride falls short of this baseball city. Los Angeles your purple and gold don’t stand a chance when paired against the Bulls. For the Packers, well let’s not even get started on that rivalry.
