On the internet, triggers are everywhere. For victims of abuse, racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice, as well as those—like soldiers—who've lived through traumatic events, these online emotional triggers are very real and can sometimes lead to negative physical reactions. For these people, there's little that's funny about online triggers.
But those aren't the only people who are able to be triggered. Sports fans are often regularly bombarded with triggers on the internet, many times leading them to get hilariously #madonline. They may have experienced a traumatic event that led to them having such overreactions (like blowing a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals), but, let's face it, it's only sports. It's not that serious. And since it's not a matter of social injustice or life or death, the response is often funny.
This is a list, originally published in 2016 and updated in early 2019, about those fan bases that are most easily provoked online by words, videos, memes, etc. It's not only about passion—Green Bay Packers fans are very passionate but often too Midwestern polite to linger in your Twitter mentions with blind rage and vitriol. This is about the fans who will tweet you 12 consecutive times totally unconcerned with whether you respond or not. This is about the fans who will curse you out on Facebook, caring little if their family and friends see them using the C-word to describe a complete stranger. This list is for those who get irrationally angry #onhere. These are the most easily triggered fan bases in sports.
Tom Brady Fans
LeBron Stans
Warriors Fans
Cowboys Fans
Kobe Stans
Mets Fans
Duke Fans
Joe Paterno Supporters
Ronaldo vs. Messi Debaters
The "Internet Wrestling Community"
Eagles Fans
Worst subset: The ones at Lincoln Financial Field
Trigger: “You’re not an Eagles fan?”
They just might be the most ruthless, disrespectful group on this list without a doubt. They're on attack 24/7, even when they win. All Philly sports fans are bad overall, but the Eagles top the list. If you attend an Eagles game, I advise you don't wear the opponent's gear. You'll be lucky to get out of Lincoln Financial Field the same way you came in. They're not just triggered by losses, they'll attack after wins just for the fun of it. The Vikings can attest to that. They had beers thrown at their bus after just getting destroyed and eliminated by Philly in the NFC Championship. Before last season, they were easily triggered when opposing fans brought up their zero Super Bowl titles. You'd think they calm down a bit now that have one but nope, they're still the worst fan base in sports. The word " class" isn't in their vocabulary. — ZO
After the Eagles' loss to the Saints, an angry fan allegedly assaulted her girlfriend and put the victim's dog in a microwave. 😳
Details: https://t.co/iHnoEyUQR9 pic.twitter.com/tanrddau3J
— Complex Sports (@ComplexSports) January 17, 2019