We don’t need logic to be fans, but some civility might be a good idea
At its heart, fandom is a form of tribalism. If you’re sporting the right colors and logo, you’re part of the “in” crowd. Everyone else is “out.” Historically, tribalism has been rooted in the survival of the species as groups worked together toward a common good.
Yes, such an idea has its ugly side too, as the word originated as a means to point out that tribes compete for limited resources with sometimes tragic consequences. I assure you all, this will have everything to do with the Buffalo Bills facing the Baltimore Ravens during the Divisional Round of the 2025 NFL Playoffs.
Let’s dive in…
The illogical nature of fandom
When we describe the traditional use of the word “tribalism,” chances are it conjures up images of groups fighting to control access to a river, fertile plain, hunting area, or some other resource needed to survive.
In general, football fans aren’t engaging in this precisely. Sure there may be limited lines at the concession stands or number of available urinals/troughs, but that’s not really the same thing as hunting/gathering for a harsh winter. Many fans are fortunate enough not needing to worry about basic needs to survive, so our tribe affiliation is a little less logical.
How far off the path of logic can sports fandom take us? Let’s take a moment to reflect on one specific play from the most recent Super Wild Card Weekend, and also my reaction to said play. Here’s the one I mean:
With under three-and-a-half minutes to go in the fourth quarter, the Bills were up 31-7 and the Denver Broncos were trying to keep a drive going while facing 4th & 17. Dropping back, quarterback Bo Nix launched a pass beyond the sticks. The football floated nowhere near a receiver and safety Damar Hamlin appeared to have an interception. The crowd went wild!
As someone choosing to write under a pseudonym associated with a human simulacrum, I think I’ve established a bit of a reputation as someone who tries to see things detached from emotion a bit. Literally, while cheering with my friend in the stands I shouted “He should have just knocked it down.”
Two things to note from there. First: Based on crowd reaction, I believe what I was shouting was the exception. Second: As I said above, I was still cheering the interception. My actions were working in direct opposition to the most logical viewpoint even as I was verbalizing the more logical stance.
When the interception was overturned, the general fan response was rationalizing the outcome. An incomplete pass was 25 yards better for Buffalo than the interception, and that’s even if you care in the first place. The game was over either way. Many fans begrudgingly accepted the better outcome. Take a moment to reflect on how bat**** crazy that actually is.
In case you didn’t take that moment to reflect, here’s me reiterating it. Fans had to talk themselves into accepting the better outcome. Even I was doing that and I’m a cold, emotionless, strawman. It was an entire quarter of a field better for the Bills and here I am all “Fine, whatever.”
Back to Tribalism
Us vs. Them, Part 1
Why did so many of us respond in a completely illogical way? If you remove the team ties, this is basically like scratching off a winning lottery ticket. You think you’ve won $10 but then notice that you didn’t see the prize doubler symbol and you actually won $20. I wouldn’t mourn the $10 and have to talk myself into being happy about the $20. So why did we have to talk ourselves into being happy about 25 yards?
With the football play, we can’t isolate away that team variable. It’s really a pretty basic premise, as well.
- The Damar Hamlin interception is my tribe succeeding
- The incomplete pass is their tribe failing
Both are fun, don’t get me wrong. That second one seems a little more like luck in the moment, however. I’ll take a win by their kicker missing a field goal, but it feels better to win with our guy making one — if you catch my drift.
Us vs. Them, Part 2
The Bills are set to host the Ravens this weekend, and things are getting really tribal. The comparisons by fans between Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson started off with the 2018 NFL Draft, and have only gotten more entrenched in the NFL zeitgeist with every passing down.
The NFL MVP race this season has reached a fever pitch of discourse surrounding the two quarterbacks. Contests between the two teams in recent years have left players and fans with wounded pride.
When it comes to tribalism and “out” groups, not all “others” are created equal. The Ravens and Lamar Jackson are more direct competition for the limited resources our tribe craves. Trophies, rings, adulation, and glory go to the victors and we want our tribe to have them. Wounded pride can feel like a true wound and no one wants more scars.
Therefore, the Ravens are a true threat to Bills Mafia. And when the threat is big, the tribe has to come together to have the best chance of survival. In these times of danger, we may take actions we wouldn’t at other times.
You might cheer for an interception that’s technically not the best outcome. You might say some things to another person you normally wouldn’t. Unfortunately, some of us might allow our emotions and tribalism to take us to places even darker.
In Hawaii, the word “aloha” takes on many meetings, and is typically considered the region’s most sincere greeting. In Western New York, we use “Go Bills.” That’s our tribe and I’m all for it. Aloha’s many meanings include “peace” and “kindness.” In many ways, so does “Go Bills!”
When faced with another tribe though, the inflection can turn to anger as we cheer for our success over that of others. That’s not an entirely bad thing in and of itself. A little **** talk between fans can be an enriching experience. I’ve already seen tribe members cross lines.
Illogically, I use the term “we” when discussing the team quite a bit. I know that fans can’t control what happens on the field. That “we” is not all that precise. With that said, this is a big game that we’re hosting and in this instance the “we” is completely precise. We all represent our tribe and will have a hand in hosting.
No matter how big our emotions get, no matter how much our fandom tests logic, please remember to represent our tribe in a way that we’re all proud to keep saying “Go Bills!”
Fandom can be illogical. Fandom can be passionate. But in the immortal words of Brian Galliford: