Buzz
Sports are exciting to participate in, but just as enjoyable to watch due to the fascinating history of devoted fans and unique traditions tied to specific sports or teams, which have been passed down through the years. Even though we're not the ones scoring the decisive goal, fans like us still play a big role in the game and in supporting our teams in numerous ways. Here are just ten of the many traditions that have shaped the culture of watching sports. This is by no means an exhaustive list – narrowing it down to just ten was a challenge, especially when I limited myself to professional sports only – so feel free to share any traditions, rituals, or superstitions you'd like to add in the comments!
The abbreviations used in this list are as follows: NHL (National Hockey League), NFL (National Football League – American football), MLB (Major League Baseball), NBA (National Basketball Association), FIFA (International Federation of Association Football).
10. C of Red
A great way to show your support for your favorite sports team is by proudly wearing their colors. The sense of unity that comes from tens of thousands of fans wearing the same color is undeniable. This tradition traces back to the 1986 Stanley Cup Finals with the Calgary Flames in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers' fans were experiencing 'Hat Trick Fever,' hoping to win a third consecutive championship. In response, Calgary introduced the 'C of Red' campaign, encouraging fans to wear red. The following year, Calgary's playoff rivals introduced the 'Winnipeg White Out.' This phenomenon has since grown into a widespread tradition across U.S. universities, with famous examples like Penn State's 'Code Blue' and Virginia Tech's 'Orange/Maroon Effect.'
9. The Vuvuzela of South Africa
Although the vuvuzela has been a fixture in South African football since the 1990s, it only became widely known on the global stage in FIFA events. Originally made from tin, the vuvuzela is a simple horn that is now mass-produced in plastic for ease of use. Played by blowing air through the mouthpiece as one would with a trumpet, it produces a loud, monotone sound resembling an elephant's trumpet. The instrument has sparked debate, with critics calling for it to be banned from major events like the 2010 World Cup, claiming it's too loud and disruptive for the stadium environment. However, its supporters argue that it is no more intrusive than other fan paraphernalia and is an integral part of South African sporting culture.
8. The Hat Trick
This well-known hockey custom likely has its roots in cricket. In cricket, a bowler achieves a hat trick when they dismiss three batsmen with three consecutive deliveries. This tradition made its way into hockey through Ontario's Biltmore Mad Hatters. When a player scored a hat trick by netting three goals in one game, the team's owner, Mr. Biltmore, would reward him with a new fedora. Many versions of the story mention Mr. Biltmore throwing his top hat onto the ice to celebrate the player's achievement, and before long, the fans began to throw their own hats as well. Afterward, the collected hats would either be discarded, donated, or saved in a massive glass case that highlights the team's remarkable history of hat tricks.
7. Food Races
During intermissions, fans often dash to grab a snack, but in some stadiums, it’s the food that does the running! The Klement’s Sausage Race at Miller Park, home of the MLB's Milwaukee Brewers, stands out as the most famous example. It began as a computer-animated race on the scoreboard in the early 1990s before becoming a live event in 1994. Every game, at the bottom of the sixth inning, employees and a few honored guest sausages, dressed in oversized seven-foot foam costumes, race from third base to home plate and back to first base. The sausages are: Brett Wurst (the bratwurst), Stosh (the Polish sausage), Guido (the Italian sausage), Frankie Furter (the hot dog), and Cinco (the Chorizo). Bratwurst holds the lead with eighteen victories. The race made headlines outside of baseball in 2003 when Pittsburgh Pirate Randall Simon hit Guido (worn by employee Mandy Block) on the head with a bat. Though the bat didn’t touch Mandy’s head, Guido, with its top-heavy costume, fell over, bringing Hot Dog down with it. Simon was arrested, fined, and suspended for three games by the MLB. Despite the reprimand, many found the situation amusing, and Mandy Block even requested an autograph on the bat. T-shirt sales soared with slogans like 'Don’t whack our weiner!'
6. The Terrible Towel
The Terrible Towel has become an iconic symbol of the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers, as synonymous with the team as their famed three-star logo. Its origins date back to the mid-1970s after the Steelers claimed their first Super Bowl victory in 1974, and their strong performance during the 1975 playoffs where they secured twelve wins out of fourteen regular-season games. During this time, general manager Ted Atkins, sales manager Larry Gerrett, and broadcaster Myron Cope collaborated on ideas to capitalize on the team's success. Initially, they considered producing a mask of head coach Chuck Noll, but this was quickly dismissed due to cost concerns. Instead, they opted for a more affordable and practical solution—the Terrible Towel. It was inexpensive, durable, and easy to transport. With less than two weeks to promote the towel, Myron Cope took to TV and radio, encouraging fans to bring, buy, or dye a dish towel yellow, gold, or black. By the time of the next game, between 30,000 and 50,000 fans were waving towels in the stands, a phenomenon that has only grown in popularity. The following year, the Steelers' franchise printed the official Terrible Towel design onto bright yellow towels, officially cementing the tradition. All profits from the sales of the Terrible Towel benefit the Allegheny Valley School, an educational and residential institution for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. To date, the Terrible Towel has raised over $2.5 million for this cause.
5. Bleacher Roll Call
At the former Yankee Stadium, Section 39 was infamous for its rowdy and disruptive fans. The Bleacher Creatures, a passionate but unruly group, would heckle not only visiting teams but also high school marching bands and even fellow Yankee fans who weren’t part of their close-knit group. Despite repeated warnings from ushers, their antics led to restricted access to other areas of the stadium, and beer sales were banned in that section. However, after discussions with the Yankees organization, the Bleacher Creatures were granted permission to sit together in section 203 of the new stadium, provided they toned down some of their more disruptive behaviors. Over time, the Bleacher Creatures became known for their unwavering loyalty, and their Bleacher Roll Call became a hallmark of the game. At the top of the first inning, “Bald Vinny” Milano calls out the name of a Yankees player, and the whole section chants the player’s name until they are acknowledged with a wave or salute. The call continues down the lineup until every player has been recognized.
4. The Playoff Beard
The Playoff Beard tradition began with the NHL’s New York Islanders, who won the championship from 1980 to 1983 while proudly displaying their facial hair. Since then, many sports teams and their fans have adopted the tradition of not shaving during their playoff runs. Fans don’t just talk strategy—they also engage in friendly debates about which players sport the best, worst, or most absent playoff beard. Teams even host Beard-A-Thons, where players and fans grow beards to raise money for charity. Although the tradition started with hockey, it has spread to other sports, with NFL players like Jake Plummer and tennis star Björn Borg participating in the fun.
The Detroit Red Wings’ fans have a unique tradition tied to their team’s playoff games. Dating back to 1952, two fans threw an octopus onto the ice to symbolize the eight victories needed to win the Stanley Cup. This act quickly became a symbol of good luck, and the practice continued as fans threw octopuses onto the ice during the playoffs to encourage their team. The Lucky Octopus has become one of the most iconic and quirky traditions in hockey history.
A quirky and strange tradition persists among Detroit Red Wings fans: the tossing of octopuses on the rink. This practice began in 1952 to mark the team's path to the Stanley Cup, which at the time required just eight victories. Brothers Pete and Jerry Cusimano initiated it by throwing an octopus on the ice, symbolizing the Red Wings’ eight-game journey against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens. Over time, hundreds of octopuses have been launched, including a massive 50-lb one tossed by Bob Dubisky and Larry Shotwell. To guide enthusiasts, the Superior Fish Market provides an ‘Octoquette,’ a pamphlet detailing how to prepare, launch, and aim the octopuses to avoid penalties and mishaps.
Heckling has been a staple of the sports world for as long as fans have filled stadiums. One heckler stands out above the rest: Robin Ficker. A dedicated fan of the former Washington Bullets (now Washington Wizards), Ficker was known for his taunts from his season tickets behind the visiting team's bench for over a decade. He would use a megaphone to mock players and coaches, even reading steamy passages from Coach Phil Jackson's autobiography during games. In 1997, Ficker stopped attending games due to a move to a new arena that placed his seats too far from the action. After focusing on politics, he has recently returned to heckling, this time at wrestling events at the University of Maryland.
Heckling is a part of the sports culture, but few fans have perfected the art like Robin Ficker. A staunch supporter of the Washington Bullets, Ficker spent over 12 years sitting behind the opposing team's bench, heckling with a megaphone. His targets ranged from players to coaches, and one of his most infamous stunts was reading explicit passages from Phil Jackson's autobiography during Chicago Bulls games. After leaving the Bullets’ games in 1997, Ficker turned to politics and stepped out of the limelight. However, he’s recently returned to the heckling scene, this time attending wrestling events at the University of Maryland.
Fans often show their support for their favorite teams by donning the team's colors, but some take it to extreme levels with bold face paint, tattoos, or even eccentric outfits. One such group is the Washington Redskins' unofficial mascots, the Hogettes. This peculiar tradition started when Michael Torbert, the group's founder, dressed in his grandmother's tea party clothes for a Halloween party at her retirement home. He became so popular that he and his friends decided to visit local hospitals to cheer up sick children. As devoted Redskins fans, they eventually decided to attend games in their unique costumes, which included pig snout masks, a nod to the team's offensive linemen known as the 'Hogs.' Over time, the Hogettes became a beloved presence within the Redskins community, using their fame to raise over $100 million for charities such as the Ronald McDonald House and the March of Dimes.
Some fans show their dedication with face paint or tattoos, but there are those who go far beyond, wearing costumes so unusual they catch everyone's eye. The Hogettes, an unofficial mascot for the Washington Redskins, are a prime example of this. It all began when Michael Torbert, the group's founder, attended a Halloween party at his grandmother's retirement home, dressed in her tea party attire. He became such a sensation that he and his friends decided to visit local hospitals to cheer up children. As lifelong Redskins fans, they began attending games in drag, complete with pig snout masks in tribute to the offensive linemen known as the 'Hogs.' The Hogettes have since become a well-known presence at Redskins games, using their fame to raise over $100 million for charitable organizations like the Ronald McDonald House and the March of Dimes.
