Not only did Malcom Butler’s interception in Super Bowl XLIX capture another Lombardi Trophy for the Patriots, their fourth in 15 seasons, it also gave the greater Boston area its ninth title in 15 years. Butler’s larceny of Russell Wilson was undeniably a heart-throbbing end to the season, but it likely provoked heartburn for Boston sports haters and parity supporters. Did Butler, his teammates and the entire New England faithful greatly appreciate their fourth championship? Absolutely. But did their fans appreciate it as much as the fans of another team would have? Maybe?
Title appreciation doesn’t necessarily apply to only drought-stricken franchises, nor does it imply that some fans aren’t raging lunatics that forget sports are sports. In this meaningless, purely subjective, immeasurable and debate-provoking exercise, here are professional fan bases that would most greatly appreciate a championship, in no particular order.
Chicago Cubs
Dorothy Wagner was born on September 2, 1904. Ruth Adler was born 132 days later on January 11, 1905. Those two ageless wonders are believed to be the oldest living Illinois natives in the United States, also making them the only two Illinois-born individuals to have been alive the last time the Chicago Cubs won the World Series.
Not only was a minuscule amount of the U.S. population alive when player/manager Frank Chance led the Cubbies to a 4-1 series victory over the Tigers for their second-straight title in 1908, only 9.1 percent of the U.S. population was even alive the last time they won the NL Pennant in 1945.
The misery is legit. The misery is depressing. Contrary to the popular belief of Cardinals fans and other haters, Cubs fans have suffered enough and would probably appreciate a title more than any other fan base.
Minnesota Wild
The Minnesota Wild have only been in existence since 2000, but the North Stars preceded the franchise from 1967-1993, a 26-year title-less run at the old Met Center, meaning the State of Hockey has never seen a Stanley Cup. Arguably the league’s most educated fan base (and easily the country’s), the Minnesota folks would lose their minds if Lord Stanley’s Cup finally made its way to Saint Paul.
Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles fans are nuts. They’re passionate. They’re crazy. They’re flat out insane and they love it. Although their fans have been known to cross the line (putting it as gently as possible) a time or two…or 500 times…every game…before the ball is even snapped, they’re in dire need of a title. We’re not condoning some of their behavior or vile chants, but we are confirming their thirst for a Super Bowl, something that has never happened in Philly.
After winning three league championships in the 1948, 1949 and 1960, the franchise has been shut out for the last 55 years, having reached the Super Bowl only twice (1980, 2004), failing to bring home the Lombardi Trophy in those two attempts.
Photo Courtesy: US Presswire
Minnesota Vikings
The Wild’s appreciation for a future title somewhat stems from an overall state drought, one that stretches 24 years, with Minnesota failing to win a championship since Jack Morris’ epic 10-inning gem captured Game 7 of the 1991 World Series for the Twins. The drought and heartbreak that accompanies any drought (see Gary Anderson’s missed field goal in the 1998 NFC Championship or Brett Favre’s interception in the 2010 NFC Championship) has taken its toll on Vikings fans, but they remain hungry and adequately optimistic for the Teddy Bridgewater-led future.
It doesn’t help that Wisconsin is less than 30 miles from Minneapolis, where the Packers have won five Super Bowls in six tries since the Vikings arrived in the NFL in 1961 while the Vikes have blown all four of their title attempts.
Photo Courtesy: Tom Olmscheid
Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavs are only included because of the national onslaught against their fans over the handling of the LeBron James departure/arrival situation. They badly need a ring to help ease the pain of being tabbed some of the biggest fair-weather fans in the business.
Montreal Canadiens
Not one single hockey fan feels bad for Canadiens fans, at least those born before the 1990’s, but that doesn’t mean their fans wouldn’t appreciate a 25th Stanley Cup. They are without a title since Patrick Roy led the Habs past the Kings in 1993 and their educated fans badly want another one.
They are widely considered to be among the best in sports, but it’s been two decades of frustrating heartbreak, with the team not even reaching Cup Finals since that 1992-1993 season.
Edmonton Oilers
It’s been a tough decade for the Edmonton Oilers, one that followed two of the most successful decades in NHL history. Not only haven’t they reached the playoffs since falling in Game 7 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Finals to the Hurricanes, they haven’t even been close, only twice breaking 80 points and failing to hit 70 points five times.
However, the fans continue to flood into a dated Rexall Place with hopes that things will finally turn around. Even with a few exciting youngsters on the ice, the continued fan support is pretty incredible, considering they haven’t won 40 games since 2007-08.
Photo Courtesy: Derek Leung/Getty Images
Green Bay Packers
The Packers can claim 13 league titles, including five Super Bowls, three of which occurred in the last 20 years and one just four years ago. They are far from a deprived franchise but their football-obsessed fans, ones that literally live, sleep and eat Packer football still dream over another title and would appreciate the hell out of it.
Vancouver Canucks
This only applies to the coherent Canucks fans that wish not to destroy their city after playoff failures, as was case following the team’s loss in Game 7 of the 2011 Stanley Cup Finals. Vancouver fans are not the first to riot in the wake of emotional losses, but the arrest and injury numbers were troubling, thus leading to insane fans’ exclusion from this list. The passionate fans on the other end of the spectrum would appreciate the franchise’s first Cup as much as anyone.
Photo Courtesy: Carmine Marinelli/QMI Agency
