I grew up in Western Massachusetts, the beautiful Berkshires to be exact, and my world was totally consumed with Boston sports and complete loathing of anything from that dreadful state of New York. I lived and breathed with the Sox, Celts, Pats and Bruins. I still do, just a little less vocally.
After graduating from Emerson College, in the heart of Boston, I took a graduate assistantship at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and am currently working on my master's degree in sport management. After leaving my little cocoon of Boston lovers I was shocked by the "haters" now surrounding me in my new environment. I had no clue how much Boston was despised. At first it saddened and confused me. "Boston is just misunderstood," I would tell myself and others.
Why? Why was Boston so hated out west? It took me nearly 6 months to find the answer. It's not simply because of the three Super Bowl victories, the 2008 Celtics, or the two World Series championships brought home by the Red Sox. It's because of what has transpired across America through this decade of success. One word: bandwagoners. We New Englanders are mostly oblivious to it. We poke fun at those who all of a sudden are such loyal fans, but couldn't name a single player. But for those not native to the northeast, the amount of people sporting Sox hats, Garnett and Brady jerseys, and claiming "loyalty" to the beantown teams has absolutely skyrocketed.
Boston has become a fashion statement. People wear Sox hats and jerseys for the look. Sure it happens in New England too, but when small market teams are losing fans to the big bad Boston teams, it does create some resentment. I can't say I blame those who don't like Boston and its "fans".
Take "America's Team" from the 1990s, obviously the Dallas Cowboys. They were the most popular team in sports, but not many can deny they were also the most hated. I think the same thing is happening with the Boston teams.
I no longer take it personally when these "haters" out west make fun of me for being a Boston fan. I was born and raised in Massachusetts therefore I have the right to wear a Sox hat and Pats jersey.
That's all for now.
