Born and raised in the Tri-state area, I am a New York Giants fan through and through. That being said, this past Sunday my eyes were glued to the screen as I anxiously bit my nails waiting for the moment that Tom Brady was sacked. Now I am currently planning my green and white outfit for the parade in Philadelphia on Thursday (praying that Villanova decides to cancel class).

I hate the negative connotation with the term “bandwagon”. When people conform to societal norms, it means they are dropping their own values or ideals and instead promoting new ones just because others are doing it. Conforming in this way is usually seen in a very negative light. However, “jumping on the bandwagon” is a very different idea. This concept represents joining forces or throwing support a certain way that others are also doing. The difference here is that in doing so, you are not completely shifting your own allegiances, or getting rid of your previous beliefs and values. This is an addition.

Having missed out on being at Villanova for the National Championship victory by only a year, the endless stories of celebrations that I have heard make me wish everyday that I could be a part of something like that. When the Eagles made it into the Superbowl this year, that opportunity was granted to me. Campus was bouncing with energy as the two most heavily-supported NFL teams on Villanova’s campus prepared to battle. Again, being an avid Giants fan, my first instinct was to root for whoever was not the Patriots. Yet once the Eagles claimed the title of their opponent, yes I hopped on the Eagles bandwagon.

I was definitely not the only one. Yet backlash still came, and I wondered why. “Fake fan”, “stop pretending you like them”, and all kinds of other words came. But why can’t I support a team that isn’t my first choice? Especially when my first choice team is not involved in the competition? I attend a Philadelphia Big 5 college, often spend time in Philly, and would love to live here after college. So again I wondered, why was I getting heat for simply taking a side?

Just as Villanova was going into the National Championship in 2016, the Philadelphia Eagles were the underdog. They are also the home team of my school. Even if they weren’t, let me root for the team I want to root for. No matter who they are or where I am from, choosing a side during the Super Bowl, or during any game for that matter, does not mean you are suddenly converted into a “fake fan”, or are abandoning your favorite team.

Sports are something that we all have in common, they bring people together. So next time you question someone’s team preferences, take a step back and realize that they are in no way affecting you. Let them root for whoever they damn well choose to root for, and worry about your own team getting beaten by the underdog.