Student exposes "The Buffalo Theory"
By Mike Bielak
Last Updated:9:44 PM EST 11/24/09 Section: Viewpoint
"We" is such a simple word. Yet it infuriates so many people in the western New York region. Well, just those who enjoy sports. Those sports fans from western New York I recommend reading on, but be warned that this may be very painful. At the risk of making many people on this campus thoroughly upset with me, I need to expose a disturbing theory.
The theory mentioned and developed by yours truly is "The Buffalo Theory." Growing up in the central New York area led me to like many successful teams. Living literally three blocks outside of Syracuse in a place called Lyncourt, the Carrier Dome was just minutes away. Throw in my love for the Yankees and I cannot complain about the sporting jubilation I've witnessed in just 21 years. CNY takes pride in its teams and often refers to them as if "we," were part of them. It's not odd to say "Did you see how good we played last night?" or "Man, we really blew it in that one."
Four years ago I came to Fisher and experienced The Buffalo Theory. I was caught off guard when someone asked me after one of the "we," comments: "Do you play for them?" After the shock wore off, I had to evaluate the situation. People in Western New York don't refer to their teams as "we?" How could this be? Buffalo Bills and Sabres have some of the most beloved, and loyal fans anywhere. But then it hit me. What is the most poignant word that really describes western New York fans? Tormented.
My teams all have what Buffalo fans have longed so many years for: Championships.
The Buffalo Sabres do not have a Stanley Cup, although they came one Brett Hull goal in the crease away in 1998-99. If that heartache did not already top off the toughest stretch in sports history which belonged to Buffalo. The Bills got to the promised land four years in a row (1991-1994) but couldn't win the Lombardi Trophy. In the first attempt at the trophy the Bills were just one kick away from a Superbowl, but (SKIP THIS PART, BUFFALO FANS) one "wide right," field goal later left Buffalo empty handed.
The Buffalo Theory is simply the fact that fans from this region like to distance themselves from the teams they root for religiously.
Western New York fans have every right to want to separate themselves from the heartache and despair the organizations in the region have poured on them. But in doing so, remember, not every region suffers from this debilitating syndrome. So when you feel like raining on some other fan's parade by correcting them when they use the word "we;" put the anger towards the teams that have dealt the pain, not other fans.
msb05253@sjfc.edu
The theory mentioned and developed by yours truly is "The Buffalo Theory." Growing up in the central New York area led me to like many successful teams. Living literally three blocks outside of Syracuse in a place called Lyncourt, the Carrier Dome was just minutes away. Throw in my love for the Yankees and I cannot complain about the sporting jubilation I've witnessed in just 21 years. CNY takes pride in its teams and often refers to them as if "we," were part of them. It's not odd to say "Did you see how good we played last night?" or "Man, we really blew it in that one."
Four years ago I came to Fisher and experienced The Buffalo Theory. I was caught off guard when someone asked me after one of the "we," comments: "Do you play for them?" After the shock wore off, I had to evaluate the situation. People in Western New York don't refer to their teams as "we?" How could this be? Buffalo Bills and Sabres have some of the most beloved, and loyal fans anywhere. But then it hit me. What is the most poignant word that really describes western New York fans? Tormented.
My teams all have what Buffalo fans have longed so many years for: Championships.
The Buffalo Sabres do not have a Stanley Cup, although they came one Brett Hull goal in the crease away in 1998-99. If that heartache did not already top off the toughest stretch in sports history which belonged to Buffalo. The Bills got to the promised land four years in a row (1991-1994) but couldn't win the Lombardi Trophy. In the first attempt at the trophy the Bills were just one kick away from a Superbowl, but (SKIP THIS PART, BUFFALO FANS) one "wide right," field goal later left Buffalo empty handed.
The Buffalo Theory is simply the fact that fans from this region like to distance themselves from the teams they root for religiously.
Western New York fans have every right to want to separate themselves from the heartache and despair the organizations in the region have poured on them. But in doing so, remember, not every region suffers from this debilitating syndrome. So when you feel like raining on some other fan's parade by correcting them when they use the word "we;" put the anger towards the teams that have dealt the pain, not other fans.
msb05253@sjfc.edu
Be the first to comment on this story