This is for the people who truly think I am a bandwagoner.

I have never cheered for a team in my state. Call me crazy, call me a disloyal resident, whatever. It is not happening. Because of this, I have had people call me something that is known as a "bandwagoner." If you don't know what a bandwagoner is, let me explain. To give you an idea, a bandwagoner is someone who cheers for a team that wins continuously or a team that has an incredible player.

My team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, has both of those characteristics. The Penguins have won The Stanley Cup two seasons in a row, have Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, and supposedly have the officials on their side. For that last one, I beg to differ. Despite all of those ideas, I love the Penguins. I do not love them for Crosby or Malkin, but because I find excitement when I watch them play.

Over and over again, I have been told I'm a bandwagoner. It makes me question if that reason is that I am a young woman or because people actually believe that to be true. I have been yelling at Pittsburgh games since 2006. Go ahead and argue the classic Crosby debate. I dare you.

Anyways, I am here to say this. I will never cheer for your team. I love my Penguins. And I am definitely not a bandwagoner.

Here are my reasonings:

1. I stuck by them when they sucked

2. I still backed them up even when there were few reasons to be a fan.

3. I had pride in my boys and continued to cheer for them.

4. I believed in them even when there was a slim chance of a win.

5. I made sure people knew I would never go against my beloved Pens.

6. I told my friends to make sure potential guys do not hate the Penguins. It is crucial.

7. I stayed true to my superstitions even when they were failing me.

8. I smacked talked other teams into the dust.

Living in Illinois leads some to think I am a Blackhawks fan, but I am the farthest thing from a Blackhawks fan. I despise them.

I would rather eat a worm than cheer for the Blackhawks.

Even more, I have never understood why women are labeled as bandwagoners more than men are. Is it the case that women do not know what is going on in a game? I can tell you this right now, I sure as hell know exactly what is happening in a game. Do not, I repeat, do not underestimate my knowledge solely because I am a woman.

Even if that is the reason for this label, it is a pitiful reason. It is like the kid who says "Oh yeah, well you're a stupidhead!" because they cannot think of anything else. If you really want, I can talk about the stats, the games, the other teams, the rules, what happened in a game from the 1900s, anything. Bring it.

I guess, what I'm here to say is, I am truly sick of these remarks that usually come from guys. The sexist comments of "she only watches hockey for the guys..." or "I bet she can't even tell you how many minutes are in a period." I want you, guys, to know one thing. I can probably bring it harder than you can, so stop telling me I am a bandwagoner.

Sincerely,

A Die-hard Pens Fan Who Is Tired Of The BS