With the Lakers in town to face the Bobcats tonight, we got to thinking; which sports teams inspire the strongest feelings among fans across North Carolina? We’re talking about those that make your gut churn — with enthusiasm or bile. The five most loved/hated squads in the North Carolina. (In South Carolina, of course, either the Clemson Tigers or South Carolina Gamecocks are at the top of this list, depending on your point of view.): 5. LOS ANGELES LAKERS: Start with Kobe Bryant; he chased off Shaq, right? And then there was that deal back in Colorado. But he also may be the best hoops player in the world, and that in itself creates a fan base. The franchise has the most wins and the most NBA Finals appearances (29) ever, which means they always — ALWAYS —seem to be in your face when you flip on the TV.
4. DUKE: OK, let’s be honest; the Blue Devils don’t come close to making this list without Coach K. Football has been a disaster, and nobody hates bad football teams. But K — that’s all we need here — gets Duke on the list by himself, for two reasons: the basketball program is really, really good, making for a big bandwagon effect and prompting intense dislike from UNC fans. And K can appear smug and arrogant at times, depending on your point of view.
3. NORTH CAROLINA: The Tar Heels have the most fans of any school in the state by a wide margin, but then there’s that ABC Club — Anybody But Carolina. UNC’s success, particularly in basketball, is a burr in the hides of all those ABCers. As one prominent college coach once told me, “I’d pull for the Russians before I’d pull for Carolina.” You can probably blame a lot of that on Dean Smith. If Butch Davis makes the Heels good in football, they could be tops on this list.
2. DALLAS COWBOYS: The NFL’s version of our No. 1 team. The whole arrogance of the “America’s Team” concept gets under your skin unless you happen to be a fan, and there are many. And if you love ‘em — from Dandy Don Meredith and Roger Staubach down through Emmitt Smith and Tony Romo — you love ‘em with a remarkable passion, one that irritates your friends and prompts you to wear a Cowboys jersey into a bar full of Panthers’ fans.
1. NEW YORK YANKEES: Can there be any doubt? You either love ‘em or hate ‘em, and you don’t even have to be a baseball fan to appreciate their wretched excesses. And yet they are the most successful franchise in sports — try 26 World Championships. They have had the most recognizable symbol (that classy interlocking NY), stadium (but of course they replaced it) player (the Babe) and owner (George Steinbrenner). They are American Sport, for better AND for worse.
--Stan Olson
4. DUKE: OK, let’s be honest; the Blue Devils don’t come close to making this list without Coach K. Football has been a disaster, and nobody hates bad football teams. But K — that’s all we need here — gets Duke on the list by himself, for two reasons: the basketball program is really, really good, making for a big bandwagon effect and prompting intense dislike from UNC fans. And K can appear smug and arrogant at times, depending on your point of view.
3. NORTH 
2. DALLAS COWBOYS: The NFL’s version of our No. 1 team. The whole arrogance of the “
1. NEW YORK YANKEES: Can there be any doubt? You either love ‘em or hate ‘em, and you don’t even have to be a baseball fan to appreciate their wretched excesses. And yet they are the most successful franchise in sports — try 26 World Championships. They have had the most recognizable symbol (that classy interlocking NY), stadium (but of course they replaced it) player (the Babe) and owner (George Steinbrenner). They are American Sport, for better AND for worse.
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39 comments:
Who writes this garbage? We had better stories in my Jr. High Newspaper. The O list is a complete waste of news print.
Dallas Cowboys are No. 1 through 10 on my list. I HATE THEM!
What? The Yankees are #1? I didn't know that most of the state of North Carolina even follows baseball.
It's sad to see that NC State couldn't even crack the top 5. State fans are far more obnoxious than Duke or UNC fans, but their team is so consistently awful that it's hard to work up anything more than pity for them.
NC State is not hated because we aren't consistently and obnoxiously stuck up and rude like Carolina and Duke fans. We aren't hated because our fans actually went to and graduated from the school. We don't pick a random team from the Walmart shelf and decide to support them, we support our own alma mater. Do you find it a coincidence that everyone gets along with each other except Carolina fans? No one likes Carolina fans except Carolina fans. Sad, and true.
Duke of course -- for a couple of reasons: 1) only 15% of their student body is from N.C.; 2) despite the fact that they haven't been to the Elite 8 in 5 years and that they aren't the best team in the ACC, they continue to receive hype in the press.
First, you have to win and be good enough to be hated. All NC State gets is pitty. Sorry basketball coach and sorry program cannot even get you into the NIT. Pitty for you, not hate.... Now get back on the tractor....
Where are the Charlotte 49ers?
It is quite obvious how the o feels about them.
People hate the Tar Heels because of the fan base. The basketball team does nothing noteworthy from 1994-2004 but the fans act like they've won every NCAA Championship since Jordan was around.
No need to worry about UNC-CH in football. Butch Davis will leave the program in shambles soon. With only 1000 fans for his spring game, a crumbling stadium (sorry -- no renovations during this economy) and limited fan support, he won't continue to play second fiddle to Roy.
No mention of the Steelers. PLUH-EEZE!! There's atleast 10 Steeler flags hanging on homes in my neighborhood, Dixie's Tavern and many other Steeler bars in town. Who writes this trash and doesn't do their homework?
I don't think I hate the tarheels, I hate the walmart tarheel fans that pull for them because CPCC doesn't have a team. I don't like that they're good, but if you didn't go to school there then keep your mouth shut. besides, when his career is over Hansbrough and I will both have the same number of championships.
GEORGE SHINN,
You said, "The basketball team does nothing noteworthy from 1994-2004."
During that stretch they reached the Final 4 in 1995, 1997, 1998 and 2000. That is more than noteworthy.
Way to know your facts.
Actually, there were 2,000 fans at the spring game. Also, they are in the middle of renovations as we speak; only a portion will be delayed. "Limited fan support"? I guess you consider UNC’s higher attendance for football games (compared to NC State) limited support. Even UNC's 4-8 season had higher attendance than NC State.
Regarding the "Wal-Mart Fans", if it weren't for UNC, Wake and Duke Fan’s purchasing products from Wal-Mart, the majority of NC State graduates would be jobless.
The whole "Wal-Mart" fan thing is a stupid concept that Duke and State fans dreamed up because they are jealous that most of the state pulls for Carolina. If you can only pull for a college team if you attended the college, then who gets to pull for pro teams?? I know vile Duke and State fans that never darkened the doors of either university.
Native & UNC graduate who worked 9 years in New York City before moving back South who loves Carolina, NY Giants, & New York Yankees; also liked Chicago Bulls during the days of Michael Jordan. I hate all Boston Teams(i.e., Red Sox, Celtics, & New England Patriots).....
No mention of the Steelers, Giants or Patriots? Their fans are obnoxious and don't realize we have a pro football team right here in Caroline.
When was the last time NC State won a football or basketball ACC title? They're the redheaded stepchild of the ACC.
Anonymous said: "NC State is not hated because we aren't consistently and obnoxiously stuck up and rude like Carolina and Duke fans."
No, State fans certainly want to be as stuck up as UNC or Duke fans... but their team sucks, year after year, and so they can't. I know a number of State fans, and they're always the ones who lead the ABC campaign, who are the first ones to whine and cry about "paying off the refs", who keep trying to bring up ancient history ("1974! 1983!") when the topic is clearly current events.
State fans would be even more obnoxious and rude if they would ever start winning again. Not that there's any real danger of that...
"Actually, there were 2,000 fans at the spring game. Also, they are in the middle of renovations as we speak; only a portion will be delayed."
Sorry -- 2000 fans. 2000 fans are considered a success? Fair weather UNC-CH football fans are pathetic. Don't worry, Visor Boy Jr. Butch Davis AKA Smoke and Mirrors will be gone soon. But not before he asks for another unjustified raise.
I'd also point out that during that time period, the Heels were ACC Regular Season Champions in 1995 and 2001, and were ACC Tournament Champions in 1994, 1997, and 1998. Thanks for coming out.
I attended neither UNC nor Duke but have observed NC College fanbase attitudes since birth. By far, UNC & Dukies are more obnoxious than NCSU fans. NCSU fans may be a bit more "red" but that in itself does not warrant the "obnoxious" tag. Snobbery, snootery, I'm-better-than-you-ery and basic b.s. like that emotes what people dislike. To put the balance of the ACC in perspective, Wake-ites are a bit snoobish, but too few to really matter. UVA is a UNC clone. Clemson is most like State but better athletics in general. Maryland fans are pretty loyal, got some D.C., Northern Virginia attitude going there; pretty full of themselves. VT: They hate UVA like UNC hates Duke. A natural rivalary there. VT fans are like, State and Clemson fans. Loud and proud. BC, Miami, FSU? Who knows, don't care.
ANON 1:16
I was being sarcastic you inbred idiot. 2,000 people is a lame showing; however the timing of the spring game couldn't have been worse (still no excuse).
That a way to address the rest of my post. Please explain to me how State has great fans and UNC doesn't, when UNC's attendance exceeded NC State. I know plenty of State fans who stopped going to games mid-season when they couldn't win. I guess that is a sign of an excellent fan base.
Well, I graduated UNC undergraduate and NCSU for graduate school. UNC's basketball program is superior to NCSU's. NCSU's football is superior to UNC's. End of discussion. I'm sure NCSU would love to have Roy coach NCSU basketball. UNC would love O'Brien to coach UNC football.
Seriously? Carolina Panther fans are mocking other fans... Seriously? I guess you think you are great, but lets see why you arent.
1) you give away your tickets to other teams fans. (Real cities would hurt you over doing that).
2) Big bandwagoners. You love em when they win and say they are going to the superbowl. Yet they lose one game, get rid of JAKE, Fire the coach, the team sux.
3) Your only defense is to say Dallas fans are ignorant. (I hate Dallas too, but at least they love their team no matter what.)
Seriously, look in the mirror first than talk later.
Congrats ANON 2:55. You just made the most ridiculous comment of the day. "UNC would love O'Brien to coach UNC football." Are you serious? Wow. I'll stick with Butch, thanks.
I Agree with you Anon 3:00pm. The Giants, Cowboys, & Steelers have like a 8 year waiting list for season tickets and you can get Panthers season tickets during pre-season.....
""UNC would love O'Brien to coach UNC football." Are you serious? Wow. I'll stick with Butch, thanks."
I'll second that. Butch is all about smoke/mirrors and star ratings. Lord help us if O'Brien moves to 3-0 versus Davis.
Smoke and mirrors like Sidney's red coat?
+1 FOR KEEPING BUTCH OVER TOBY! OH AND DO SOME RESEARCH I WOULDN'T SAY STATE'S FOOTBALL PROGRAM IS BETTER THAN UNC'S HISTORICALLY. ID LIKE TO SEE SOME W-L RECORDS FOR THAT ONE.
Guys, one thing to remember--these are teams that inspire BOTH love and hate, not just the latter. And it's pretty obvious that I should have gotten the Wolfpack into the mix with their triangle brethren...
Stan
When UNC-CH wins, Wal Mart's stock goes up. It is science.
Definitely the UNC Tar Heels.
Not so much their team either, but their bandwagon Walmart fans who never went to college but brag about their favorite basketball team as if they have some God-given right to go undefeated every season.
No other fanbase is even CLOSE.
FACT.
UNC alum here that hates State with an undying passion. True, I hate Dook and their fans but at least I can respect them as a worthy adversary. To me, wolfpeckers will always be ignorant, jealous, classless fools who will take every opportunity they get to shout "1983" or "41-10!" I guess they have to hold on to those rare triumphs since they have such little else to celebrate.
Meanwhile, I'll celebrate UNC's 3rd trip to the Final Four since 2005.
I can respect State fans. At least they care about more than one sport, and they follow their teams even though their teams suck. Even though they really suck in both football and basketball, their fans seem to care. The same cannot be said for UNC's whine and cheese crowd. During their 8-20 basketball season their home games were half empty. And we all know how little they care about football...
I'm a Florida Gator by the way.
Charlotte 49ers all the way!!!
Hey Florida Gator Anonymous 5:11pm, why don't you grab Tebow, tell him to bring his bible and go pray somewhere else, and leave us lowly ACC fans to bash eachother in peace? :-)
Charlotte 49ers have some of the whiniest fans. All they talk about is how the Observer doesn't give them coverage when they have done NOTHING the past 4 years.
All of this with their coach driving that program into the ground. They love mediocrity. They also talk about how no ACC school wants to play them. Do they really want their RPI to go down the drain?
The Observer continues to sink.... the notion that soliciting such trash as this should pass as journalism is a sad commentary. Have papers collapsed because they abandoned all standards, or have they abandoned all standards because they have collapsed?
Go anywhere in North Carolina and say, "the Yankees suck" and if you get a response, it probably won't be about baseball. Say, "Duke sucks" or "Carolina sucks" and you will get plenty of response.
How Duke and UNC aren't 1 and 2 on this list baffles me.
Its one thing to encourage debate, but the debate is between those 2 as to who is #1 and who should be behind them.
I went to Duke. Everyone hates Duke (aka your boss) and loves UNC (aka "the people"). I know that.
To say UNC is more hated than Duke is the biggest joke I've seen in a while.
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