I have a problem. I'm a devoted New York Jets fan and am torn as to who to root for in this Superbowl. I feel like whoever wins, I'm still looking towards a torturous offseason. I know you're a Jets fan. What are your feelings on this?
-Hopelessly Devoted
Dear Hopelessly Devoted,
I feel your pain. I've read about 100 blogs on this exact issue and I can tell you, you are not alone. As our team has fallen into the realm of the forgotten New York teams, Jets fans everywhere are confused, disappointed, disgusted.
I've contemplated not even watching the game, but I've withdrawn that idea, as it can't even be an option. My love for football has convinced me that my inevitable off-season football withdrawal will hit me harder if I give up the last football game of the season because of a bitter attitude.
The fact of the matter is, if you were a fan of ANY other team, the answer would be simple, root against perfection. Cheering for the underdog is an extremely attractive option for other fans. But unfortunately, our situation makes this a much more complicated question.
The question is, who do you really hate more? Sure, the Pats are division rivals and they are constantly handing us our asses on a large red white and blue platter, but in this case wouldn't you rather the Superbowl champion be the team expected to win? They always win, what's one more?
Your allegiance should also depend on whose fans surround you. If you are like me and are constantly surrounded by obnoxious Giants fans who will never let you hear the end of it if they not only win the Superbowl, but also takedown the 18-0 Pats in the process, then you just can't hope for a Giant win.
So many people have asked me, as a New Yorker, how could I root against the Giants in a situation like this? My answer is simple, I'm a Jets fan, I will never root for the Giants, even if the Jets disbanded and ceased to exist. I'd sooner be a Patriots fan (after I jumped off the Brooklyn Bridge). Its just unethical in my eyes.
So my answer is this, you really can't "root" for either team. What you can do is watch the game in shame and pray for a Patriot win (but definitely keep it to yourself) just so you don't have to begrudgingly be surrounded by a sea of happy Big Blue fans come game end.
Don't feel bad for the Giants either. The overwhelming nationwide hate for the perfection of the Patriots outside New England will surely push a few fans in New York's direction.
Rebecca is a New York based entertainment and intellectual property attorney, an agressive fantasy player and an avid Knicks and Jets fan. Got a question for Answer Gal? E-mail her at: answergal@fantasysportsupdate.com
