I only started reading the Outsports Discussion Board during the past year. I'd find it interesting to learn how some of the frequent posters (Jim, Cyd, Joe in Philly, etc.) became fans of their respective teams.

Well if you really want to know... Go Chargers!

Born, raised and lived in Philadelphia my entire life. It's as simple as that.

Resident of Buffalo for over a decade, upstate New Yorker virtually my entire life.

Have followed the Bills since 1980 when they ended Miami's "0 for the 70's" streak and won the AFC East.

Admittedly I flirted with the Raiders during parts of the 80's as a friend of my family was married to Lyle Alzado, but it's been red, white, and blue by and large for as long as I can remember.

Born & raised in LA, went to SC & have been a die-hard Trojans fan all of my life...I bleed cardinal & gold.

Dallas Cowboys: Fell in love with "America's Team, when they earned that moniker in the late 70's. My aunts and uncles would come over to my parent's place to watch the games. The whooping and hollering was so exhilirating and infectious. How could I not want to be a part of the party. Sadly, things changed and when they weren't winning during much of the 80's. I became an Oilers fan. But with Aikman, Smith, Irvin, Novacek and Moose bringing back "da Boys". I was a fan again. My loyalty hasn't wavered even throughout all the quarterback and head coaching changes. Tony Romo is bringing respectability back to the Cowboys. I can't wait to see him in, and winning, a Super Bowl.

C'mon now Ausmus. You know you only like the Cowboys because of 70's The Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Movie.

OMG, Maddog, you know me so well. The cheerleaders actually crossed my mind but I forgot to include them in my post. I, especially, loved the pigtailed DCC.

Oh, puh-leeeeeeeeeze. They gave themselves that name.

Note to blueraider: change your signature -- it's simply not accurate now.

Well, my favorite team on earth (Illinois) was the inspiration for the Bears colors and the educator of their founder, so it seemed only natural that I become a Bears fan. Although I do cheer for the Rams when they are on television.

Born and raised in Chicago...GO BEARS!!

Moved to Miami 15 years ago, so I also follow the Fins, since this is my home now...

Been a painful year for me on both sides...

I was a Bears fan growing up, but after Payton left and McMahon got traded and they choked after 85, I jumped ship. My allegiances followed McMahon to San Diego.

Must admit I haven't been a "fan" of any team since the treacherous Colts left my home state of Maryland (in the middle of the night I might add).

But Belichick has a slight Maryland connection (grew up in Annapolis and was a lacrosse captain) and I can't get enough of Brady who seems to keep it up despite the fame. And more important he seems to keep the respect and loyalty of his teammates because of his efforts.

I think the video scam as motivation is overplayed. Luck got the Pats past the Eagles and Ravens. And you can't faught them for taking advantage of it.

I'll do my #1 team. The New York Mets.

They're the underdog of the biggest city in America, where sports are under huge scrutiny. My Grandma lives in Queens still and I was born in Jackson Heights. My Mom has always been a Mets fan, since she got that from her mother, she passed it along to me, my brother and my sister. My Dad has always claimed to be a NY fairweather fan(lame), so if the Mets do well, he cheers for them, if the Yanks do well, he cheers for them. The only team he not ever root for are the Red Sox.

The reason why I love the Mets is because they are the underdog. Yes, I know they don't spend like it, but as much revenue as they generate, some money has to be spent. After the Dodgers and Giants left town, a lot of fans felt betrayed, but they couldn't bring themselves to become Yanks fans, so they gave up on baseball, till William Shea brought back National League baseball to NY. The incorporate the Giant orange and Dodger blue into their uniforms as a remembrance to where the team originated from.

I had no idea - the things your can learn from Outsports.com - thank you MetsfanChi.

As my name spells out, I am a Buc fan since they came into existence. Growing up outside of Tampa, in the Bradenton/Sarasota area, I actually started watching the Jets since I was born in New York, but the year Tampa Bay switched from the AFC to the NFC (their second year in the league), I started routing for the Bucs at age 11 - and followed them ever since....

Agreed - while I was born in Cincinnati and "rooted" for the Reds until I moved to New Jersey when I was 9, My allegiances are far stronger with the Mets. Upon my arrival in NJ all ties to Cincinnati teams were cut, and my family's passion for the Mets, Jets, and Islanders was bestowed on me. I've stayed with the Mets since then (1997) as well as the Jets and Islanders - though I've nearly given up on both of them several times, only for them to show a glimmer of hope down the line.

Definitely a regional thing for me. My mother, Mary Margaret Theresa Fenton Tulloch (God rest her soul!) , taught me three vital lessons:

1. New England is the best place in the world to live
2. One must always root for the home team
3. Suffering builds character

You can see immediately why being a Red Sox fan fit right in - and Ma was a dedicated Sox fan her whole life, so she easily converted my Dad and convinced my sister and I of the vital importance of rooting for New England teams. Being a Patriots fan was therefore a natural extension, although I have to admit there were some bleak years there, but we held on. These last few years have been worth all the trouble.