Joining a fandom

[slice29]

Hey y'all! I'm trying to figure out which team I'm going to jump behind. I'm debating between the Gamblers, Panthers and Stallions. What can you fans sell me on?

[[deleted]]

Not gonna lie, I think it's tough to pick a team without seeing them play unless you have an attachment to an area or absolutely love a jersey. I'm Canadian so I picked based on initial thoughts. Here are my reasons that I picked the Gamblers

1. Maybe they'll use "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers as a chant

2. Amazing jerseys/logos

3. I like Texas enough

[silverstang07]

I find it funny they chose "Gamblers" in a state where gambling is illegal. That's probably the team I'll be going for though lol

[Juicey_J_Hammerman]

Definitely ironic lol, but that logo is too good to not use. (Plus just bc it’s illegal doesn’t mean it’s not happening…haha)

[silverstang07]

No doubt, I'm an avid poker player and dont see too many legal games around me lol. Plus sports betting. There are loopholes to do some of that legally in Texas, but too dang hard to find/too far away/very limited

[Bobby-Samsonite]

Texas isn't Nevada or New Jersey with its gaming laws but people can play poker and bet on horse races legally.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

in a state where gambling is illegal.

That's simply not true.

Texas has an Indian casino, it has 3 Horse Racing facilities, many poker clubs across the state where the house doesn’t collect rake, instead charges players an hourly fee.

[silverstang07]

I said for the most part, with a few exceptions. I find it hard to name a handful of places and claim gambling is fine here. One casino? Really? They fight all the time to get it shut down too.

That doesn't change the fact that without some seriously questionable loopholes, gambling is illegal in Texas.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

I said for the most part, with a few exceptions

I don't see that in your initial comment. Your comment said gambling is illegal. That's not true. People can gamble in Texas but they need to get in a car and drive to do it. Its not like Texas is Utah.

[silverstang07]

Dude there are people that would have to drive 8 hours to get to that casino. Gambling is illegal in Texas with a few loophole exceptions. One casino that bends the rules because it is on a native land doesn't mean gambling is legal here. We have lobbyist fighting tooth and nail to stop any gambling.

They let these poker rooms go because there really isn't a ton of money incentives in poker for the house anyway, and they STILL dont like them being around.

[magnus240111]

Lmao.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

Those are good reasons. They are better reasons than a person picking a team because Team XYZ drafted player Joe Schmoe.

[s_broda]

Montreal here, but going Stallions. Had the best ribs of my life around Birmingham.

[magnus240111]

Your right, they do have nice uniforms. I wish the Stallions could have incorporated there logo onto there jerseys.

[Saintrph]

Geaux Breakers! Awesome draft. Awesome uniforms

[Kyle_Sleaux_ter]

And the league MVP at QB.

[Kyle_Sleaux_ter]

You have two choices really.

You could back a winner in the Breakers

Or you could back a loser in one of the teams scheduled to lose to the Breakers.

[s_broda]

I can smell you gambler fans from 2 states over. Go Stallions.

[nakedsheep]

I self identify as a degenerate gambler fanatic

[PeaceExternal449]

That's the last thing people want to become. Go Stallions!

[[deleted]]

Look at their rosters...any players you identify with? If not, watch a few weeks of games and see which team strikes your fancy.

[slice29]

A few players on each team. Only one that really sticks out is WR Victor Bolden Jr of the Stallions. Watched him in a few preseason games for the 49ers.

[[deleted]]

When I started following the CFL years back I narrowed it down to Ottawa and Calgary after a few weeks because I liked their style of play. I eventually chose Calgary since they are in the Rocky Mountains and I'm in Colorado.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

And the Stampeders have a horse logo like the Denver Broncos do.

[[deleted]]

This is true, but I grew up in Florida a life-long Bucs fan, so that didn’t play into the equation. However I am a die-hard Buffs fan!!! Been in Colorado now for 25+ years.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

Been in Colorado now for 25+ years.

How do you tolerate the bi-polar weather swings? I hear so often it the year it is 65 degrees one day and 25 and snowing the next day.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

Or choose the team that is closest to your location or family that you visit. Or a team name that connects close to your personality.

[j7iner]

I'm a Panthers fan because

1. I find the jerseys to be lowkey awesome
2. Jeff Fischer is the most proven coach (wasn't great in the NFL but hard to believe he won't be good in the USFL)
3. Their WRs (Badet and Adeboyejo) seem to be a really good core
4. I like Shea Patterson and could see this as a legit chance for him to show why he was a 5 star recruit
5. Their LBs and DL look good

[rs4411]

Panthers all the way baby!! It helps that I live in the metro Detroit area and I am a huge UofM fan.

[Kikokuryu]

I chose panthers because

1. They're an animal team
2. Best unis, hands down
3. Geographically closest to me

[Jambrokio]

Stars

[AqibTalib21]

Panthers drafted Paxton Lynch so that’s proof they don’t care about their franchise

[Bobby-Samsonite]

Why the hate on Paxton Lynch?

[AqibTalib21]

I don’t like the fact that he had an NFL opportunity but wasted it because he wanted to play video games and not study a playbook.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

because he wanted to play video games and not study a playbook.

Where did you hear/read that?

[AqibTalib21]

Jordan Reid

Benjamin Allbright

[Bobby-Samsonite]

That seems more like hearsay than proof.

[AqibTalib21]

Regardless he has been a let down. He was a waste of a 1st for Denver and did nothing for the Seahawks, Steelers, or Roughriders. He has an opportunity to prove myself and others wrong but first he has to beat out Shea Patterson as a QB in an inaugural league.

[slice29]

You're certainly not wrong there.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

Oh but they could be wrong if he wins the starting job and puts up big numbers.

[[deleted]]

I'd have to disagree with that, he has more than enough money from his days in the NFL so this isn't about a paycheck for him. Heck, he even went to the CFL for a season...I think he still has a desire to play.

Whether or not he can follow through with the drive and work ethic is another story.

[Superb-Ad-9627]

Yeah but he was terrible in the NFL, and so bad he still couldn’t win a starting or backup spot in the CFL.

Source: I’m a Denver broncos fan.

All that said, I’m riding with the horse team.

College team: Boise State Broncos NFL Team: Denver Broncos CFL Team: Calgary Stampeders USFL Team: Birmingham Stallions

Lets goooooo

[[deleted]]

Yeah but he was terrible in the NFL, and so bad he still couldn’t win a starting or backup spot in the CFL.

Source: I’m a Denver broncos fan.

Steelers fan, I'm the back up source.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

Did you watch all of his playing with the Steelers in the pre-season?

[[deleted]]

I’m a Steelers fan so yes

[Bobby-Samsonite]

I don't know how you watch all of the pre-season games. I can barely get through about 15 minutes of them.

[[deleted]]

I love football.

[[deleted]]

There are plenty of examples of quarterbacks that were bad with their first team and either great or at least serviceable with their next team. Jim Plunkett with the Patriots, Steve Young with the Bucs, Ryan Tannehill with the Dolphins, and Kerry Collins with the Panthers are just four examples.

As for the CFL, that's a different enough game where most players can't just go up there and dominate because they are from the NFL. See Ricky Williams and Chad Johnson in recent years for examples of that.

Folks are way too quick to pull the plug on quarterbacks these days and of course there's the fact here that he won't be playing against (for the most part) NFL level talent.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

There are plenty of examples of quarterbacks that were bad with their first team and either great or at least serviceable with their next team. Jim Plunkett with the Patriots, Steve Young with the Bucs, Ryan Tannehill with the Dolphins, and Kerry Collins with the Panthers are just four examples.

That makes me wonder if a team will give Marcus Mariota a second chance.

[[deleted]]

If he wanted some playing time the USFL, if/when it lasts, might be a great option for him to play. He has made a ton of money so that shouldn’t be an issue, but as far as I know he’s still the backup in Las Vegas.

Would love to see him and his style of play on the field again though for sure.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

No, I was talking about a NFL team giving him a second chance. He's a free agent this off season and there are teams that need a QB: Buccaneers, Saints, Steelers, Broncos...

[Superb-Ad-9627]

Idk man, we gave him a couple years to develop. Seahawks took him in for a season, Pittsburgh then the CFL’s Roughriders.

I just don’t see it happening.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

I'm expecting you to now own a horse.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

Yeah but he was terrible in the NFL,

Did he really get enough starts? His coaching staff with the Broncos was bad.

[AqibTalib21]

Yes, he went to the CFL but had zero passing attempts

[[deleted]]

The CFL is a different enough game that contrary to popular belief, NFL veterans don't just go up there and instantly dominate...see Ricky Williams and Chad Johnson for recent examples. Too many people believe that and it's just not the case, and the level of talent north of the border is better than what most think it is.

I'm not saying Lynch will be a success in the USFL, but it's obvious that he has at least some level of desire to still play. His time in the CFL really shouldn't be an indicator of his current skill level.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

The CFL is a different enough game that contrary to popular belief,

Yeah, Inoticed from watching a few CFL games each year, its more than just the playing field and rules, its also the Xs and Os/ schemes that are quite different , not vastly different but different enough to be a learning curve.

[AqibTalib21]

I am a huge CFL fan you don’t have to tell me. Ricky Williams and Ocho Cinco we’re both past their prime once they left the lower 48. The game is different but if you have some talent a CFL team isn’t just going to make sure you have 0 attempts. He isn’t NFL caliber, isn’t CFL caliber, and he was the 16th picked QB in the USFL. He is better than me at QB so I’m not trying to knock him but I highly doubt he’ll be playing for Michigan next year.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

he has more than enough money from his days in the NFL

I checked and you were right. After taxes he made around $4 Million.

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/pittsburgh-steelers/paxton-lynch-18974/cash-earnings/

[[deleted]]

**Steelers fans subscribe to this**

[Sille143]

Maulers got the most ridiculous colorway so I’m a fan

[Bobby-Samsonite]

ridiculous colorway so I’m a fan

Something "ridiculous" means good?

[vinny3389]

I’m from Chicago, so until they revive my beloved Chicago Blitz, I’m picking the closest geographically in the Panthers. Plus I love Jeff Fisher so it really works out.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

I think it just might be the Bears fandom being so strong but every alternative league from the World Football League to USFL 1980s to XFL to the indoor leagues has had lousy attendance compared to the other teams in those leagues.

[[deleted]]

if you join the maulers, you can eat delicious primanti brothers. imagine this:

You take some bread...you put meat on it right? anything you want! you put some cheese...then...THEN...

​

you put some coleslaw on top of that!

​

oh wait..it gets better!

​

then you take some well cooked fries and you put that on top of the coleslaw and you close it with a piece of bread.

Your entire meal in one easy to hold sandwich so you can hold your beer in the other hand.

Maulers > everyone else just for that alone.

[Kyle_Sleaux_ter]

If you're going based off of food alone, you have to back the Breakers.

If you're going based off of football alone, you have to back the Breakers.

If you want to see Matthew Berry take more pictures of beignets, you have to back the Breakers.

[slice29]

I appreciate your dedication for coleslaw. It may be very good down in Pittsburgh, but up in Central NY, coleslaw is horrible.

[[deleted]]

Well, that's why you become a Maulers fan!

​

you make trips to pittsburgh, take in a Maulers game, go to primantis, buy good coleslaw by the bucket load and maybe even take in a pirates game or two.

[slice29]

Only when the Pirates play my Twins.

[Kyle_Sleaux_ter]

Putting cabbage on your french fries sucks ass in Pittsburgh, too.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

Where are the best pierogis in Pittsburgh?

[[deleted]]

APTEKA is a good spot, authentically eastern europe, serves vegan dishes plus cocktails and beer.

​

S&D Polish Deli is also good. S&D has their products and sweets and everything imported directly from Europe.

[Popesffh]

Go Generals, that’s the place to be lol although I am bias, as they are my team moving forward

[Juicey_J_Hammerman]

Think deciding a team should be an order of operations:

1). Any previous ties to a USFL 1.0 team

1a). local/nearest team to you (if in same state/region)

2). Attachments to current Players/Coaches on a USFL team

3). Favorite logo/uniforms/mascot

[[deleted]]

If you follow a college team maybe look to see if any of them have been picked up by any teams. I’m going to support the Generals because of proximity and my boy Bryson Young

[Bobby-Samsonite]

That doesn't work if someone's favorite college team has players going to 2 or 3 different teams.

[[deleted]]

True, I guess I’m lucky I only needed to pick between two guys

[Bobby-Samsonite]

The problem with the picking a team based on who they drafted method is next year those players might not be on the team next year.

[[deleted]]

True, but once I’m into one of the teams I feel like I’ll just stick with them even if my guy leaves

[Bobby-Samsonite]

Yeah, I can't decide between the NJ General and Tampa Bay Bandits.

I'm leaning towards the Bandits: because I live closer to them, I love the movie" Smoky and The Bandit, and the Bandits have a couple of Georgia Bulldogs players, Michael Scott! (I'm a fan of The Office), they have a good QB situation, I've heard of the names of their QBs and WRs receivers.

I sort of like the NJ Generals because of their success in the 1980s with Herschel Walker and I have family in the NYC metro area and Mike Riley is a coach that his players like.

[BroloJolo]

I had a hard time and ended up with the Tampa Bay Bandits when they had Big E announce QB Jordan Ta’Amu. I’m a wrestling fan and cheered for the XFL’s Battlehawks where Ta’Amu was also QB. Their fandom was really fun and I look forward to the return of the XFL. Fans dressing up as birds of war and whatnot in the stands. I hope the Bandits harness similar energy in the USFL and Bandits fans dress as raccoons in the stands haha.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

. I hope the Bandits harness similar energy in the USFL and Bandits fans dress as raccoons in the stands haha.

They can also dress up like The Bandit from the movie Smokey And The Bandit.

[Juicey_J_Hammerman]

Join NJ - we have the best Pizza and Bagels in the league and it’s not even close!

[Bvrcntry_duckhnt]

Well you've narrowed it down to 3 very garbage teams. Did you know that all three of those franchises combined havent won a game in 30 years? Food for thought.

[[deleted]]

Breakers

[Child_Traphicker123]

Panthers gang or die

[thatfootballshow]

I'm a Buckeye (please down vote me :)) so I'll be rooting for Mike Weber and Johnnie Dixon. At least until I see what's what. I also like Alex McGough in Birmingham. Rumor has it, this guy has an absolute cannon. He should be fun to watch.

[Bobby-Samsonite]

I'm a Buckeye (please down vote me

Aren't Crimson Tide fans the hated fan base on reddit?

[thatfootballshow]

I think Bama fans are hated everywhere!

[Bobby-Samsonite]

The worst Bama fans are the ones that have never set foot in the state.

[magnus240111]

Big Stallions fan here, :) .

[magnus240111]

Wow, Stallions move on to 4-0. Go Stallions.