FanSided’s annual Fandom 250 has been released, and the New England Patriots have showed out strong again, coming in at No. 67 overall.
On Wednesday, FanSided’s third annual Fandom 250, ranking the top 250 fandoms in the world of sports, entertainment and pop culture, was released. Topping the list was actually an NFL franchise this year, a first for Fandom 250, as the Cleveland Browns came in at No. 1. However, the New England Patriots fandom acquitted itself well both overall and among the NFL teams.
The Patriots came in at the 67th spot in the Fandom 250 rankings, putting them as the ninth-highest NFL franchise in the rankings. Ahead of the Patriots in the rankings were the Browns (1), Kansas City Chiefs (9), Pittsburgh Steelers (16), Green Bay Packers (18), Philadelphia Eagles (28), Dallas Cowboys (40), Buffalo Bills (55) and Minnesota Vikings (56).
With the fans known as the Pats Militia, you always know that the passion is going to be there. There are few fandoms in the world that react with the ferocity and vigor than Patriots fans do. Whether things are going well — which they certainly have been more often than not throughout the Brady-Belichick era in New England — or aren’t, the fans are always ready to dissect, defend, bemoan or react in whatever manner is appropriate.
As mentioned in the Fandom 250 excerpt regarding the Patriots, the Brady-Belichick era has brought great success for fans to enjoy, but it hasn’t always been that way. From the blurb:
"Playing in New England, the fans have had to endure brutal weather for much of the franchise’s history, many of the seasons coming far before the glory days of present times. The Patriots played from 1960-2000 without winning a Super Bowl or AFL championship, but the fans remained, many times in the freezing cold bleachers of Foxboro watching Steve Grogan and John Hannah."
Subsequently, though some other NFL fandoms may call the Patriots spoiled, that’s not always been the case. Many in the Pats militia have paid their dues the hard way prior to the arrival of the legendary quarterback-head coach duo. And, what’s more, they’re out there in Gillette Stadium every Sunday, rain, shine or blizzard.
Would you have the Patriots higher than 67th overall or higher than ninth among NFL franchises? Sound off on social media regarding New England’s ranking using #Fandom250.