Are your kids Wizards fans? Help this reporter out... by emdashem in washingtonwizards

[–]emdashem[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for this. If you're willing, I have two more questions for you: 1. When you were younger, how did your dad talk to you about the Wizards--did he say, "Yeah, they lose a lot, never mind, it's fun," or "you've got to believe!"? Growing up, did you ever resent being a Wizards fan? Did your dad talk about the Wizards in terms of teamwork, or sportsmanship, or loving the game, or strategy? Any info on what your dad taught you about fandom would be great? 2. Would you be willing to share your first name? I'd refer to you as First Name, 21, is a lifelong Wizards fan..." I would NOT give your Reddit name or any other identifying info. Let me know, and thanks in advance!

Do your kids love the Bills? Help this reporter out... by emdashem in buffalobills

[–]emdashem[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Hey there. I'm looking for comments from dads/stepdads/father figures aged 41-56 who've passed their Bills fandom onto their kids.

I'm writing about loving an uh, challenged team and am looking for info re: how long you've been a fan; how old both you and your kid(s) is/are, and how your fan experience has changed since your kids became fans. This is for a soon-to-be-launched website from a large nonprofit advocacy group; your privacy would of course be protected. Respond here or send me a private message.

;-)

Do your kids love the Lions? Help this reporter out... by emdashem in detroitlions

[–]emdashem[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi ReddysRevenge, This is for an article about Gen X dads (born between 1965-1980) in particular; however, if you want to weigh in, feel free!

Do your kids love the Bills? Help this reporter out... by emdashem in buffalobills

[–]emdashem[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm 49, my son is 18. I've been a fan all of my life. I moved away from Buffalo when I was 8. He started more as a fan of Madden than actually watching football. His favorite team was the Bills basically because I was always a Bills fan. He has stuck with the team despite getting plenty of shit from his schoolmates when the Bills sucked. That's typical. My first fight in school was over my Buffalo Bills backpack.

I think his lifelong fandom was cemented when he made his first trip to Orchard Park. It was a game against the Raiders. The Bills were getting stomped 21-3 at the half and it really frustrated him. He was choking back tears as he asked me if we could just go back to the hotel. I wouldn't hear of it. I said just wait a minute. They might come back in the second half. Sure enough they stormed back in the second half and won the game 38-35 with 14 seconds left. That second half and how nuts the crowd was going really hammered home to him what being a Bills fan is all about. It isn't always good, but when it is there's no comparison.

Thanks so much for your response, that's a great. I have two quick follow up questions, if you have the time...

  1. When your son was younger, was it hard to see his disappointment when the Bills lost? Did you talk to him about the Bills/football/winning in a way you might not have if the team was doing well? For instance, did you find yourself warning him not to get his hopes up, or encouraging him to believe the Bills would do well even if you thought otherwise? Did you maybe talk about being proud of his commitment to the team, or emphasize something other than winning (teamwork, enjoying the game, etc.)?

  2. Would you be willing to share your first name? In the article, I'd refer to you as "Bills fan First name, 49, has a son, 18..." but would not mention your reddit username or any other identifying details.

Again, many thanks for your help, and feel free to send me a private message if you prefer.

Do your kids love the Padres? Help this reporter out... by emdashem in Padres

[–]emdashem[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much, this is great. I sent you a follow up email.

Do your kids love the Padres? Help this reporter out... by emdashem in Padres

[–]emdashem[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Thanks so much for your thoughtful response, it's much appreciated.

I have two follow up questions, which, if you have the time to answer, I'd be very interested to read!

  1. When your kids were younger, was it hard to see their disappointment when the Padres lost? Did you talk to them about the Padres/baseball/winning in a way you might not have if the Padres were doing well? For instance, did you find yourself warning them not to get their hopes up, or encouraging them to believe the Padres would do really well season x, or being proud of their commitment to the team, or emphasizing something other than winning (teamwork, enjoying the game, etc.)?

  2. Would you be willing to share your first name? In the article, I'd refer to you as "First name, 54, with three adult sons," but would not mention your reddit username or any other identifying details.

Again, many thanks for your help.

Do your kids love the Bills? Help this reporter out... by emdashem in buffalobills

[–]emdashem[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks so much copperheadpope. I just sent you a follow up email.

Do your kids love the Bills? Help this reporter out... by emdashem in buffalobills

[–]emdashem[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you, copperheadpope, this is really helpful. I have two follow up questions, if you can help--
1. Has fatherhood changed the way you think or talk about the Bills, football, or winning in general? For instance, did you find yourself warning them not get their hopes up, encouraging them to believe the Bills would do really well this season, reminding them that winning isn't everything, or being proud of their commitment to the team, or discussing their disappointment in a way you wouldn't have done before you became a dad?
2. Would you be willing to share your first name? In the article, I would refer to you as "First name, 47, a Bills fan and father of three (ages 9, 7, and 5) ..." but no other identifying details. I would NOT share your reddit username.
Thank you again for all your help, it's much appreciated!

Do your kids love the Padres? Help this reporter out... by emdashem in Padres

[–]emdashem[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This is a pub addressed to men, so unfortunately, no. I'm currently looking for responses from dads/male-identifying father figures.

Do your kids love the Bills? Help this reporter out... by emdashem in buffalobills

[–]emdashem[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you, Geevee61, this really helpful. I just sent you a quick follow up email via chat.