Shock: Football fans aren’t poor, uneducated troglodytes
posted at 8:35 am on October 5, 2007 by Bryan
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Well, it’s probably a shock to some people. But not to most educated and wealthy people across the fruited plains. According to this year’s Harris Poll on pro football:
The percentage of those who say they follow professional football remains stable at about half of all adults (49% this year);
Perhaps, not surprisingly, men (63%) are more likely to follow professional football than women (37%);
Over half (55%) of Baby Boomers (those aged 43-61) follow football, making it the largest generation of football followers. Just under half (49%) of both Gen Xers (those aged 31-42) and Matures (those aged 62 and older) follow football but just 42 percent of Echo Boomers (those aged 18-30) follow the sport;
The more education one has, the more likely one follows professional football. While three in five (60%) of those with a post grad degree follow football, 45 percent of those with a high school degree or less follow it.
In other words, fans of pro football are just all around above-average people.
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Unless, of course you are an eagle or redskin fan.
You forgot that Bryan.
conservnut on October 5, 2007 at 8:44 AM
Good point!
Bryan on October 5, 2007 at 8:47 AM
The reason God created the weekend is so that we can enjoy football – both college and professional.
Bigfoot on October 5, 2007 at 8:53 AM
It’s not funny to pick on the mentally impaired.
I kid, I kid.
natesnake on October 5, 2007 at 8:53 AM
The ones with just high school degrees or less are too busy following pro wrestling.
James on October 5, 2007 at 8:53 AM
conservnut on October 5, 2007 at 8:44 AM
Yeah, if an Eagles fan, clearly below average.
If a Redskins fan, not just all around above-average but at the pinnacle of culture.
As for Dallas fans, well, you know that Caveman show? Cowboys fans are more like real cavemen.
CR UVa on October 5, 2007 at 8:54 AM
Pro football is sooooo 1982.
College football is the zeitgeist!
natesnake on October 5, 2007 at 8:55 AM
I will use this article as an example against my wife this Sunday while attemting to watch three games in a row, oh and after my early round of golf that day as well.
I don’t have a favorite football team. I just hate the Cowboys, Redskins and Eagles equally.
awake on October 5, 2007 at 8:58 AM
Romo and Owens … where do i claim my prize?
mfnorman on October 5, 2007 at 8:58 AM
I don’t know what pulls in more traffic…..Cowboy threads or Red Meat! Great move Bryan for putting the ‘Boys’ on the cover.
Limerick on October 5, 2007 at 8:59 AM
You forgot those who foolishly follow the Steelers as well.
SouthernDem on October 5, 2007 at 9:00 AM
Of course, conservnut didn’t come up with that quote himself. His wife said it then he posted it. Hmmmm…
She would have also berated him for not using caps.
Yep, we are smarter aren’t we?
Thanks for my morning picture of cutie-patootie T-Ro.
(Tony Romo for you Eagles/Redskins fans)
SouthernPride on October 5, 2007 at 9:00 AM
Perhaps you need more schoolin’?
(Higher Education)
SouthernPride on October 5, 2007 at 9:02 AM
ENOUGH WITH THE RETARD JOKES!!!
I was so foolish to believe this a place of dignity and reason.
natesnake on October 5, 2007 at 9:03 AM
If you’re a football fan (hell, even if you’re not), go read John Grisham’s latest, Playing For Pizza. I picked it up at the airport Tuesday morning, and it’s great.
Definitely not the typical Grisham fare.
flipflop on October 5, 2007 at 9:05 AM
Thanks for NOT going there SP.
awake on October 5, 2007 at 9:06 AM
There is less correlation between intelligence and education than most people think.
Check out “The Bell Curve”
TheSitRep on October 5, 2007 at 9:07 AM
Awake, are you awake?
Even with my higher degree of education, I must ask this question regarding your post…….. HUH?
SouthernPride on October 5, 2007 at 9:08 AM
Tell me about it…I work with a gaggle of MBAs and a couple of PHDs who could use a bit more in the smarts department.
flipflop on October 5, 2007 at 9:10 AM
Eagles and Redskins fans are the dregs? I always thought that about Raiders fans.
otcconan on October 5, 2007 at 9:12 AM
FYI, Rush is a Steelers fan.
otcconan on October 5, 2007 at 9:14 AM
Just goes to show that you can be a real conservative and still be real stupid.
conservnut on October 5, 2007 at 9:17 AM
ehh, at the end of the day, no fan is worse than a giants fan.
ernesto on October 5, 2007 at 9:26 AM
Nobody’s perfect.
Slublog on October 5, 2007 at 9:29 AM
SP,
Thanks for not lumping in Jint fans with your slur against Eagles/Skins fans.
awake on October 5, 2007 at 9:31 AM
Who wrote this?…Scott Norwood?
awake on October 5, 2007 at 9:32 AM
The COWBOYS rule. The remainder just haven’t figured that out and keep playing for some reason.
mimi1220 on October 5, 2007 at 9:34 AM
what if you don’t know who they are, but know who they are dating ?
Mojack420 on October 5, 2007 at 9:36 AM
Mimi,
The ‘Boys with their high-powered offense and low-class roster (Owens, Tank) certainly appear to be the team to beat in the NFC, but you don’t really think they can beat either the Pats or the Colts, do you?
awake on October 5, 2007 at 9:36 AM
You were sadly mistaken.
Besides, no one called anyone “retard”, which is kinda offensive. I work with mentally disabled people and they are much more competent than Steelers fans.
HAHAHA!
SouthernDem on October 5, 2007 at 9:46 AM
I always thought that about Raiders fans.
otcconan
Best fans in the world, as I am one. Dolphins fans, however, like to throw stuff through the windows of team busses after getting smacked around by a QB that was escorted off the grounds a few months prior.
Finally, a football thread.
Krydor on October 5, 2007 at 9:46 AM
Dude, Raiders fans are crazy, but Eagles fans are horrific.
SouthernDem on October 5, 2007 at 9:47 AM
I always saw the financial services/IBM type commercials during games and thought who is this demgraphic they seek? Now I know.
I wonder what is the sport of the uneducated? Don’t say it, NASCAR.
Theworldisnotenough on October 5, 2007 at 9:48 AM
This makes sense when you consider the impact of college sports. While in college, it’s one of the biggest social events. It’s only common sense that many would continue to enjoy football once graduating.
Esthier on October 5, 2007 at 9:48 AM
HA!!!
ernesto on October 5, 2007 at 9:53 AM
Nope; it’s NBA Basketball.
steveegg on October 5, 2007 at 9:55 AM
Oh, and GO PACK GO!
steveegg on October 5, 2007 at 9:55 AM
That would be hockey fans. Both of them.
Don’t even bash NASCAR.
SouthernDem on October 5, 2007 at 9:59 AM
Is it just me or do I notice a heavy dose of Cowboy material from Bryan?
Nonetheless, we former linemen usually rate at above-average intelligence, FWIW.
Except when I’m making my football picks this year…
JammieWearingFool on October 5, 2007 at 10:00 AM
As a lifelong Boys fan, I have always enjoyed the nickname some of us came up with for the Washington defensive front while watching a Dallas/Washington game that included some heavy drinking….
“The Four Skins”
Kowboy on October 5, 2007 at 10:01 AM
There has been quite a bit. It classes up the joint. :-)
Slublog on October 5, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Duuuude. You cannot be serious. You obviously haven’t attended a Jets game.
JammieWearingFool on October 5, 2007 at 10:02 AM
Sorry SD, but xince you said it, I gotta. :-)
43 dinks driving in circles for 3 hours going nowhere.
If you’re gonna race, put 7000HP under the hood and see how fast you can go in the quarter.
Kowboy on October 5, 2007 at 10:04 AM
I wouldn’t be proud of having Terrell Owens on my team…
packsoldier on October 5, 2007 at 10:14 AM
Watch the Talladega race on Sunday and you tell me that those “dinks” don’t have some skills. Yeah, anybody can go 200+ mph two inches apart from each other. And those crew chiefs and engineers that build those cars to go 8000+ rpm for 3 hours at a time are real podunks too. Don’t forget the pit crew who routinely jump directly in front of a 3000lb car without a second thought are total wusses.
It’s only boring to the casual observer who really knows nothing about the sport.
SouthernDem on October 5, 2007 at 10:22 AM
Tony Romo is of Mexican American decent. He is a good example of legal immigration, I hope.
saiga on October 5, 2007 at 10:25 AM
He stated in an interview last year that he was either 3rd or 4th generation. Can’t remember which.
True American!
SouthernPride on October 5, 2007 at 10:36 AM
I went to the Bengals/Pats game on Monday, and Bengals fans are a bit off.
Pats hands down have the finest linebacker group in the NFL. Suprisingly, Brady came across as a whiney b!tch.
natesnake on October 5, 2007 at 10:38 AM
Most of us aren’t “proud” T.O. is on our team. Most of us were disgusted when Jones signed him.
However, since he’s now a Cowboy, might as well make the most of his abilities. At this time, he seems to be a good team player, which is what I wanted to see when he was signed. Not sure if that attitude will last or not, but so far so good. (Yes, I remember McNabb)
I can say this for the guy, at least he stays out of trouble with the law unlike so many other pro players. Again, so far so good.
SouthernPride on October 5, 2007 at 10:42 AM
There are a lot of us NFL folks who have turned to the NFL because it is THE premier game in town.
I used to follow the NBA constantly many years ago…
But the Pacers-Pistons fight in the Palace awhile back turned me sour on NBA. Plus, the NBA long schedule, teams simply not caring about working hard during the regular season, the lifestyle of its players, etc, just all of it turned me off.
NFL. What a great product!!!
Every team is fighting every single week.
NFL rocks!!
Go COLTS!!!
ColtsFan on October 5, 2007 at 10:45 AM
I’m not a NASCAR fan, enjoy a race every now and then. But I totally agree with you! NOT an easy sport to participate in!!!
There’s nothin’ wrong with the fans either. I’d take them any day over sports fans from the NE & Pacific Coast. (Whoop!)
SouthernPride on October 5, 2007 at 10:46 AM
Sunday approaches….Buffalo trembles…..
Limerick on October 5, 2007 at 10:47 AM
This is another area where over-educated Northeastern libs should know better. Check out the excellent history of early football by Mark Bernstein, “Football: The Ivy League Origins of an American Obsession.”
Note: I am not affiliated with Princeton University Press.
Anton on October 5, 2007 at 10:55 AM
Yep, gonna be a bloodbath!
conservnut on October 5, 2007 at 11:01 AM
Now, now. You know the old sayings….
“Any given Sunday”
“Never count your chickens before they hatch”
Hopefully the ‘Boys are grounded this week and not looking ahead to the next week-end’s big game.
I agree with Limerick…You KNOW Buffalo is trembling in their booties.
SouthernPride on October 5, 2007 at 11:18 AM
I understand the angst that people are exhibiting over my beloved Eagles( 1-3 isn’t exactly making a passive genteel person out of me), but now that I live in MN ( yes, those Viqueens) I would kill to be at Lincoln Center and be with my fellow fans at this moment. It’s all relative, folks. Now take off that stupid oversized Cowboy hat and get back to work!
MNDavenotPC on October 5, 2007 at 11:21 AM
What a class organization the Cowboys are with Terrell Owens and soon to appear with a star on his helmet….
Ladies and Gentlemen, please welcome our latest criminal thug…TANK JOHNSON!!!
kcluva on October 5, 2007 at 11:22 AM
Read my post above re: Cowboys fans feelings about T.O.
Tank Johnson? I really don’t know alot about what he’s done in the past, but I do know after his NFL suspension, he’s in the clear both with the League & the law. He deserves a second chance. I hope he makes the most of it and realizes he can’t screw up anymore. We’ll see. Some learn from life’s lessons and some don’t.
If he stays a good boy, I’m looking forward to seeing him crush a few opposing QB’s!!!!
SouthernPride on October 5, 2007 at 11:33 AM
my donks lost two so……..
.
GO ROCKIES !!!
GO ROCKIES !!!
GO ROCKIES !!!
GO ROCKIES !!!
GO ROCKIES !!!
GO ROCKIES !!!
GO ROCKIES !!!
GO ROCKIES !!!
baseball fans who are also nfl football fans are WAY above average.
shooter on October 5, 2007 at 11:33 AM
ehh, at the end of the day, no fan is worse than a giants fan.
ernesto on October 5, 2007 at 9:26 AM
Have you been to a Jets home game lately??
Joey1974 on October 5, 2007 at 11:34 AM
If your smart, you go to college. If you are real smart you go to a university. Universities have football teams. To get laid you need to take your date to the game. Thus, you follow football.
tommylotto on October 5, 2007 at 11:37 AM
Best fans in the world, as I am one. Dolphins fans
Krydor on October 5, 2007 at 9:46 AM
When they show up for the games……..
Cowboys are the Yankees of the NFL yuck
Joey1974 on October 5, 2007 at 11:38 AM
Well, if he’s such a model citizen, being clear with the league and the law, why didn’t the Bears keep him?
kcluva on October 5, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Maybe we can get some video’s from Belicheck to verify the stats on the fans.
Wade on October 5, 2007 at 11:59 AM
Heh, I don’t follow much pro football anymore, since the hands down best team (the Steve Young 49ers) disintegrated. College is where it’s at, baby.
As for the Boys? The only good thing about the Cowboys is their cheerleaders. And even then, I think the Eagles girls are better.
Vanceone on October 5, 2007 at 12:50 PM
I love these threads…more football, Bryan! Football is the best sport…22 guys on the field, 4-3 v. 3-4, end-around, i-formation, cover 2, nickle, dime.
Ah! I love it! The play-calling, penalties, everything about it is complex…that’s why the most dedicated fans are smart.
Wade – Belichick doesn’t sell his tapes. However, I’m sure your team’s head coach has an intern going through opponents’ trash for the stats you need. Go Pats ;)
Miss_Anthrope on October 5, 2007 at 1:09 PM
Good post there, Bryan.
Personally, I only watch the Superbowl when it comes to pro football. (Oh, and, I’m a child of the 80s. I am NOT an X-Gen!)
Now, if you talked about COLLEGE football, well, then we have a LOT to talk about.
Can’t wait for tomorrow’s OU/Texas game. OooooooooooOOOOO U!
jedijson on October 5, 2007 at 1:24 PM
Never said they weren’t talented. Just don’t see the excitement of watching 43 guys drive in circles for 3 hours. And I wasn’t a casual observer. Tried for years to get into it. Just never found it to be all that. Maybe it’s because I grew up with drag racing. I get one hell of a charge watching a rail or funny car go down the track. Come to think of it, I really don’t know many people who like both. Guess you go with one or the other.
Kowboy on October 5, 2007 at 1:59 PM
We’ll find out just how good they are on the 14th when the Pats come to Dallas. Personally, I think they’re good enough to win.
Kowboy on October 5, 2007 at 2:01 PM
I do that on Saturdays and Sundays if I can. It’s glorious.
BadgerHawk on October 5, 2007 at 2:11 PM
Go Sooners!
Miss_Anthrope on October 5, 2007 at 2:17 PM
Do you get the golf in as well?, for if so, then I elect you man-God.
awake on October 5, 2007 at 2:31 PM
I for one love pretty much any racing from NASCAR to Drag to Indy cars to F1. It’s all good to me.
Car go fast, me likey.
SouthernDem on October 5, 2007 at 2:59 PM
No golf. Just 22 or so hours of football watching bliss.
BadgerHawk on October 5, 2007 at 7:39 PM
Awake: A late response, sorry. Yes, I think they could beat either of those teams. I would feel better if we had a talent of Owens on the team that wasn’t Owens. But, yep, I think they could do it.
mimi1220 on October 5, 2007 at 10:22 PM
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