Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss Football: What Type of Disappointed Fan Are You?

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

As a disappointed fan, I must say the 2016 Ole Miss football season has not turned out the way I had hoped. But not all fans react the same way to a bad season.

Well, this season has been a letdown. We came into the year with such high hopes and dreams. Although 2016 is not over and we can rally to have a decent season, it still will be filled with a lot of “what ifs”. If you are like me, you are a disappointed fan.

Before I continue, let me put in this disclaimer. My disappointment is about how the season turned out. I know our players are giving their all. They are the ones bleeding and sweating every Saturday on that field. But the fans become so emotionally connected with the team that they live and die with every game. This is why some are disappointed.

However, though we all may be disappointed, some of us show our disappointment in different ways. Some are logical while others could be crazy. Social media is a hot bed for all types. But I’ve discovered that most crazy fans don’t realize they are crazy. Oh, wait…maybe I’m the crazy one. No, can’t be me. I’m not crazy. But what type of disappointed fan are you?

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels fans celebrate following a win against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

It’s Going To Be O.K. Fan

The Rebels played an awful game. Don’t you think so?

No.

Didn’t you see Fournette run for nearly 300 yards? Doesn’t that concern you?

Not at all.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

Stop tweeting negative things. Everything is just fine.

I think Coach Freeze needs to address our run defense.

You’re overreacting. It’s going to be o.k. Now delete that before he sees it.

This fan is the most loyal of the group. They are just as disappointed as everyone else, but they believe it is disloyal to show the disappointment. This group feels that they will lose their right to being a fan if they acknowledge that the season is a calamity.

The “it’s going to be o.k.” fan gains comfort in the fact that their words of encouragement and loyalty will be retweeted by the players. It’s important that some of these fans exist. They keep the rest of us cynics grounded. It reminds the players that there are those who sympathize with them.

However, this disappointed fan has one fault. It is that his accepting attitude can also fuel a narrative that the fans are happy with mediocrity. That just wearing the Rebels uniform is enough. It gives the false belief that the product on the field does not matter. However, sometimes it is o.k. to expect more. Whether it is more effort or more dedication. We should expect them to behave off the field and perform their best on the field.

Dec 31, 2014; Atlanta , GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels fans await the team entrance prior to facing the TCU Horned Frogs in the 2014 Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

All Hands Abandon Ship Fan

That was a tough loss. Wyd?

I’m sending Hugh Freeze a tweet.

Why?

If he doesn’t fire this list of coaches I’m sending him, I’m not going to another game.

Do you think it’s a good idea to tweet at Coach Freeze?

Why not? I do it after every loss. He needs to fire everybody.

Ah yes, it’s the “all hands abandon ship” fan. This disappointed fan is not one for accepting failure. This fan does not want to hear your rationale for keeping the defensive coordinator. Nor the offensive coordinator. Nor the special team coach. They are actually considering writing a letter suggesting the release the head cheerleader.

All be it, with every loss, they have stewed in the knowledge of what would fix this team. Not only do they know who needs to be fired, they have already found his replacement. Their threat is sometimes given with a promise to withhold attendance to future games until changes are made.

Therefore, these fans don’t want to hear your sermons about losing to all ranked teams. Or that we only lost one home game and that was to the number one team in the nation, who came in with vengeance on their mind. Save your excuses about injuries and youth. They believe all will be solved with a couple of firings.

However, this disappointed fan is interesting because he or she could be right. Maybe changes are needed. But they also could be wrong. None of them are in the practices and meeting rooms. Most of us are armchair coaches. Changes may improve the team’s performance. But hanging your loyalty on whether you get your way is not being a fan. It’s being a brat.

Dec 31, 2014; Atlanta , GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels mascot greets fans prior to the game against the TCU Horned Frogs in the 2014 Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell/CFA Peach Bowl via USA TODAY Sports

Bring Back My Traditions Fan

Can’t believe we lost another close one.

You know why we lost don’t cha?

The defense was tired from being on the field for so long? Turnovers?

You are so naïve. We lost because THEY TOOK AWAY OUR TRADITIONS.

Huh?

Dixie. Colonel Reb. By God, they won’t even let us have our State Flag!

What does that have to do…

TRADITIONS!

I know this portion of the article won’t make me the most popular guy in the fan base, but hear me out. The “bring back my traditions” fan is one of the most passionate in Rebel Nation. They are vocal and don’t mind stating their case.

They believe that the team and the fans lack passion because Ole Miss no longer plays Dixie at games. This fan hates that bear mascot with a red-hot hatred. Therefore, they only recognize Colonel Reb as the one true mascot.

Moreover, some of these intelligent, successful individual believe that we are currently struggling because of the absence of these things of nostalgia. Even though the Athletic Department has assured the fans that the name “Ole Miss” won’t change, these fans warn of a day when it will. Because of that, somehow our losses are tied into the fact that those things combined with the state flag

Because of that, somehow our losses are tied into the fact that those things combined with the state flag does not fly on the campus has ruined Ole Miss’ traditions.

Although, I know we could go on and on by debating the affect those symbols have on a group of students and fans who find it offensive, let’s just look at the effect the absence of those things have on the game. However, be prepared because the results may shock you.

NONE! Not one dropped ball happened because the stars and bars weren’t waving in the air. Not one Chad Kelly interception happened because he didn’t hear “From Dixie With Love” played by the band. Nor was there one missed tackle, bobbled snap, offside penalty, touchdown, missed field goal or bad call from a referee that happened because the Bear was over there dancing around and not the Colonel. It’s just a kid in a costume.

Therefore, if you’re a disappointed fan that stopped cheering because your traditions are not there to pacify you, well shame on you. You weren’t cheering for the team anyway you were cheering for your traditions.

Sep 17, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Fans cheer during the game between the Mississippi Rebels and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Alabama won 48-43. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports

Long Term Memory Fan

This season is terrible. I hate it.

Houston Nutt

What? I’m talking about this year. It stinks.

Ed Orgeron

Why are just tweeting random names? Can you type anything else?

Jacksonville State

Finally, we are down to the last fan that we will discuss. This is probably where I find myself. However, there may be a little be of all of the fans in me, except the traditions group. The “long-term memory fan” is the fan that truly remember what a bad season felt like. Therefore, this year doesn’t bother them as much.

They are quick to remind you how most of them thought Jacksonville State was in Florida until they beat us in 2010. They beat us at home. On a two point conversion. In the first game of the season. So forgive us if we don’t cry about losing to LSU in Baton Rouge on a Saturday night.

However don’t forget about 2011. The year Coach Nutt stop trying. The 4-8 in 2010 was not enough. No, no. He gave us a glorious 2-10 season the following year. Did you hear me? 2-10!!! He was 0-8 in the SEC. 1-15 in the conference in his final two years.

Another thing, let’s not forget the Orgeron years. Coach O’s best year was 4-8. Let me repeat that. The man’s best year was a four win season. In his three years, we won three SEC games. The only joy was the fact that one of them was against Mississippi State.

Therefore, this type of disappointed fan does not get caught up in the emotions of “now”. The “long-term memory” fan remembers when it was much, much worse. We remember when only 23,000 people came out to see the Rebels beat Northwestern State. There was 64,000 at this year’s game against Wofford. Even without “From Dixie With Love”.

However, we want better. But not at the sacrifice of going back to those days. As we say in the South, “we don’t want to throw the baby out with the bath water.” We are tired of the tradition of losing.

While this is the list of fans I came up with, you may know of other types. Feel free to leave your suggestions in the comment sections. In conclusion, remember that it’s only football. Plus at Ole Miss, next year will always be better. WAOM! Hotty Toddy!

More from Ole Hotty Toddy

This article originally appeared on

share

Get more from Ole Miss Rebels Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Ole Miss Rebels