Philly sports fans consider themselves as “dark” — but that’s only a myth that fuels their passion

Philadelphia sports fans like to consider themselves as “dark.”

In Philadelphia, rudeness could be defined as a working-class ideology that thrives on being “the.”outsider“ and emphasizes toughness, labor, physicality and fighting defiance.

No event could more hyperbolically define the broad identity of Philadelphia sports fans than when Eagles fans threw things at Santa Claus with snowballs at Franklin Field on December 15, 1968.

Over 50,000 Eagles fans turned out for the ultimate game of the season on that freezing December day to support their team, which had an abysmal record of 2-11 this season. A Christmas parade was planned for halftime, but Santa never showed up. An worker trying to avoid wasting the pageant spotted a small, 19-year-old fan, Frank Olivo, wearing a hand-me-down Santa Claus costume within the stands. Frank was chosen as Last minute alternative. As the imperfect Santa walked across the sphere attempting to greet the gang, fans were in no mood given their team's record.

The rest is history.

As sportswriters and news outlets repeatedly enlarged and reproduced the Christmas story, it cemented the storyline characterize Philly's sports fans as mean and hostile – the the worst of the worst.

But Philly sports fans' passion for his or her teams goes beyond just brawling and brawling.

I’m dean of the College of Arts and Humanities and a Professor of communication science at Eastern University, which is situated in a suburb of Philadelphia. my colleague Ellen Santa Mariawho’s a deputy instructor within the Department of Communication Studies at West Chester University, and I recently took a more in-depth have a look at Philly sports fans. dark identity.

We argue that this identity, based on each fact and fiction, not only explains the fervour of Philly sports fans, but additionally underscores the ability of myth in our society today.

Myths in American Culture

A myth is an act driven by memory and imagination that represents an oversimplification of events, people, and relationships.

The content of the parable is emotional somewhat than logical, combining reality and fiction. Myths also convey values ​​and beliefs that individuals and groups accept as true influences their actions and behavior.

Cultures create myths Communicate morals, reinforce beliefs, and justify actions. Examples of myths from American culture include: American exceptionalismThe American borderThe robust individual and the American dream.

Since myths are based on belief, the mere mention of an incident or circumstance is enough confirm the parablewhile information on the contrary is conveniently ignored, downplayed or rationalized. For example, rugged individualism emphasizes the self-made persona – the concept that success could be achieved independently. However, this myth ignores or downplays the fact that the majority individuals who succeed have significant social, financial, or political support.

Philly’s “courageous” fans

Where does Philly's dark identity come from? A standard explanation is that it got here into being as early as 1800 as Philadelphia lost his status because the nation's capital, which was moved to Washington, DC. As a result, Philadelphians viewed their city as one Underdog city.

Today, Philly sports fans expect their local teams and players to display a working-class ideology of their type of play. Philadelphians love players who’re persistent, hardworking and provides their best every game.

And Philadelphia's sports history is filled with examples of this dark identity.

For example, Veterans Stadium, where each the Phillies and Eagles teams played for a long time before the sector was built Demolished in 2004was known for being one Prison in his basement for stubborn fans.

The Nineteen Seventies Flyers hockey team was often known as the “Broad Street Tyrants” as a consequence of their aggressive, physical type of play that won them the Stanley Cup.

An infamous 1990 Eagles game against the Washington Redskins is usually often known as this Body Bag Game. Six Washington players were forced out of the sport as a consequence of injuries. One of the Eagles players in some unspecified time in the future reportedly said on the bench in Washington: “Do you need more body bags?” In reality, not one of the injuries were fatal.

In 2010 a Phillies fan was insulted by a Philadelphia police officer for running onto the sphere. The Footage of the fan Bypassing security before he fell to the bottom reinforced Philly fans' repute for being unruly and obnoxious.

And in 2018, the Flyers introduced their latest mascot – a big, pot-bellied orange monster with a beard and googly eyes named “Grabbly.”

Rocky: A dark icon

But no character could have had a greater impact on sealing Philadelphia's gritty identity than fictional boxer Rocky Balboa the 1976 cult classic “Rocky.” written by and starring Sylvester Stallone.

Rocky is an Italian-American working-class boxer from South Philly who went from small-time club fighter and loan shark enforcer to eventual world heavyweight champion.

Rocky embodies the definition of a myth because the film combines reality and fiction. The character is being made right into a film real places in Philadelphiaincluding the Italian Market, Independence Hall, Pat's King of Steaks and the Philadelphia Art Museum. This gives the character authenticity, however the rags-to-riches plot is unlikely but emotionally satisfying.

Philadelphia has embraced the character a lot that there’s now an annual Rocky day, Rock festival And Rocky run. And the Philadelphia Art Museum, despite its world-famous art collection, is probably higher known for its “Rocky steps” and outdoors “Rocky” statue where tourists line as much as pose for photos.

So when the following “serious” incident hits Philly sports headlines, those that find Philly fans rude and offensive will likely cite it as further evidence, while Philly sports fans dismiss or rationalize the characterization as a misunderstanding of their fans turn out to be devotion.