Image via Complex Original
Some might say that with the ubiquity of HD television and the incredibly high prices of attending live sporting events, the fan experience has completely changed. Arenas and stadiums have been customized to make the fans feel as comfortable as possible, and the era of the rabid, crazy fan seems to have begun to fade along with it. The typical fan is no longer an average guy or girl; it’s instead someone who can afford the ridiculous prices and has invested way too much money to get rowdy and risk getting tossed out.
But don’t tell that to these people.
Some fans, despite the changing culture surrounding live sports, continue to do their best to go totally nuts when they’re at a game. Whether they’re shaking their enormous guts for cameras, dancing like a maniac, or mixing it up with players, there are still some fans who go to games and make themselves a part of the action.
They may be a dying breed, but it’s comforting to still know that there are some perfectly normal-seeming people out there who are still willing to go completely nuts at a game. Here’s a look at some examples of Sports Fans Losing It at Live Games.
The Nets Finally Won a Game! Yes!
I mean, if your team sucked as much as the Nets did a couple years ago, you would celebrate made baskets like this too. While the Nets may have finished 24-58, there's no shame for this guy in freaking out like a member of Oprah’s audience.
Casual Victory Celebration
Sometimes, you can't wait until you get home to celebrate a hard-earned Spurs victory. This lady gets it.
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEES
Soccer may not be the world's most intense sport, but that doesn't mean the fans can't be. This has to go down as the most angry, aggressive, forceful fist pump in history.
Well at Least That Wasn't Creepy...
Nebraska fans like to dress up during Halloween, and apparently this guy wanted to go as "serial killing hipster farmer." This may legit give us nightmares tonight.
Somebody Get That Man a Sports Bra
Should this be blurred out? It seems kind of wrong for it not to be, right? There's just way too much bounce going on here, nobody needs to see that.
Look, I'm on TV!
While this young man is not exactly bucking any stereotypes about Caucasians' collective dancing abilities, we give him a lot of credit for totally owning it. Sadly, this dance would be the only winning Baylor would be doing during this Elite Eight 2012 NCAA tournament game, as they ended up losing to eventual national champion Kentucky.
There's a Reason This is a Classic Dance Move
"The sprinkler" is a classic dance move, one that befits pretty much every occasion. Grabbing run ball for your team certainly fits the criteria, so we day to this Rangers fan: party on.
The Laker Bros
Ah, the Laker Bros. We really just can't quit these guys. You think they're going to games this year rocking Kent Bazemore and MarShon Brooks jersey tees?
The Popcorn Guy
When your team is losing 55-17 and it is pouring rain, you do weird things to make yourself feel better. Sometimes taking a bag of popcorn straight to the face is the only way to get through the day.
The Teddy Bear Toss
This is actually a pretty cool story: the minor league Calgary Hitmen of the WHL collect teddy bears for local charities before every Christmas, only they collect them by having fans throw them on the ice after the Hitmen score their first goal at a designated game. In 2013, the 17,199 fans in attendance cascaded the rink with some 25,000 teddy bears.
Livin' on a Prayer
The Celtics were at the height of their power in 2009, and even when they were losing their fans believed that they'd come back to win. This guy crushing a rendition of Bon Jovi's classic "Livin' on a Prayer" is walking proof of that.
Hold Me Back, Bro
We think we speak for pretty much everyone when we say we're shocked and a little disappointed nobody decked this guy when he sprinted onto the court a couple weeks ago. Such an absurd "come at me bro" moment warranted an equally strong response.
March Sadness
Sure, March Madness is emotional. This might be a bit much though. Come on man, you're sobbing on national television. Lock it up.march-madness-crying
If You Hold It Like That, It's Going to Get Stuck That Way
While the world may not really know his name (it's Jack Blankenship, for the record), this former Alabama student's weird ass mug is still a ubiquitous presence in sports arenas. Apparently, Blankenship is now an intern at "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," so he's doing just fine.
Best Part of the Bobcats' Season?
Until this year, the Bobcats haven't given their fans much to celebrate. With the way this kid can move, we'd be surprised if MJ hasn't already signed him to a four year, $48 million contract.
The Wrong Kind of Pole Dance
You think security is going to stop this guy from shaking his gorgeous body? No chance.
Grandma Likes to Party
We're insanely jealous not only of the kids who can call this cool old lady their grandma, but of the woman herself. We'd love to have the confidence to dress like that and ability to move like that at her age.
Fear the Beard
Ah, remember the good ol' days when James Harden was coming off the bench for the Thunder, and they had three of the best ten players in the NBA? Hey, at least they got to keep Kendrick Perkins!
Stay Classy, Yankee Bleacher Creatures
The Yankees' fans don't exactly have a reputation as polite and dignified observers of the game, and this only confirms such characterizations. It doesn't exactly take a pro lip reader to figure out what the guy on the right is saying, either.
This Lady Really Hates Oklahoma
In case you ever doubted that Alabama fans took their team seriously, this should put all those questions to rest. This year's Sugar Bowl basically turned into the Royal Rumble when mother of three Michelle Pritchett launched herself at an Oklahoma student Roll Tide indeed.
Professional Writers: They're Just Like Us!
ESPN's Bill Simmons continues to be a season ticket holder for the Clippers, and clearly enjoys a Blake Griffin dunk as much as any other. This February 2011 dunk from Blake caused Simmons to have, in his own words, "a fangasm."
Is This a Six Pack?
We think it's only fair that everyone who reads this article kicks in a dollar so we can buy this dude P90X immediately.
"You're a Piece of Crap!"
It is not a good look to be screaming in someone's face when you're old enough to be his grandfather. While maybe it wasn't the wisest decision Marcus Smart ever made to give Texas Tech fan Jeff Orr a little shove, we can't say we blame him.
The Malice at the Palace
So wait, running onto the floor and trying to fight a seven footer is a bad idea? Ah, the enduring lessons of the Malice at the Palace.
Memo to Fans: Don't Fight Professional Hockey Players; You Will Lose.
Hockey players are as tough as any people on earth. This is pretty common knowledge, or at least we would think. Apparently this fan didn't get the memo, and in March of 2001 decided it was a good idea to try to fight Maple Leafs' tough guy Tie Domi. Bad call.