Flyers fans given perfect validation for sticking by their team

Flyers fans know what it’s like to be faithful. If you look at all of Philadelphia sports, they might be some of the most faithful of them all. Imagine sticking with a team that hasn’t tasted real postseason success since the 1970s.

Through the ups and downs, Flyers fans stay loyal to their team. Now, that doesn’t mean they blindly follow whatever the team does. They aren’t afraid to express their opinions when the team is playing badly or making moves they disagree with. They're passionate, whether it's good or bad. The team and its players will always know where they stand, and they love that about this city.

No one does it better than Philadelphia. “No one likes us, we don’t care.” Okay, that may be more for Eagles fans. But let us Flyers fans have some of that; we've been through enough as is.

Flyers fans faithfulness has them recognized as one of the best

FanSided recently gave Philadelphia the recognition it deserves as Fandom of the Year. And while that includes all of the city's sports teams, there is just something about Flyers fans that sticks out more than the rest.

We don't have the championship pedigree of the Eagles or the superstardom of the Phillies. While we might have more in common with the Sixers, even they have had a touch of postseason success more recently. Flyers fans have stuck with the team through thick and thin. And it hasn't been easy.

But when you become a Flyers fan, it's hard to leave. Even when it feels like you don't care, they pull you right back in.

"They say “once a Flyer, always a Flyer,” and that’s true for the fans too. You become family with the people you sit next to at the bar or games, say hi to anyone else you see wearing orange and black, and root for the home team no matter what. Philadelphia is unlike any other city in the world, and the Flyers help to make it so." FanSided Director and fellow fan Steph Driver wrote in her excerpt.

I could sit here all day and tell you my story. I could tell you about attending one of my first games with my face painted orange and black. I could recount stories of the practices I used to attend or how I've waited in all types of weather just to meet even one player. Or the time I drove six hours to rival territory to see them.

But why listen to just me about this? Why not hear from those who pack the stands or make sure they never miss a game wherever they are?

"When you become a Flyers fan at a young age, you stay that way for life, even in lean times. For me personally, I was hooked ever since going to my first game at the Spectrum in 1991. And even though I don't get to as many games in person anymore, the passion has stayed. It means so much when the Flyers play important hockey games, and I think we are getting back to that." Kevin Lagowski said.

Well said, Kevin. The passion within the walls of the Wells Fargo….uhhhh Xfinity Mobile Arena knows no bounds. And you don’t have to be in the building to understand it. It’s evident in the way they support their team or let them know when they aren’t playing well. And they’ll let opposing fan bases understand how they feel, too. No one can avoid it.

“Being a Flyers fan has created countless memories for myself as well as my family. Between enjoying our family favorite crab fries at Xfinity Mobile Arena to huddling on the couch on game nights, Philly’s hockey team has given us a great deal to cheer for. Although the players have rotated through and we've grown older, constants such as Lauren Hart singing the anthem and Jim Jackson calling each game will forever be appreciated by each of us."

"With that being said, time continues to pass, and the recent years have brought us our beloved Gritty and potentially the stardom of Matvei Michkov. Now living in Florida with my wife, I can’t wait to pass down our passion for the orange and black to our children for generations to come." Lauren Cuculino said.

Being a Flyers fan is a family affair. Creating those memories can last for generations to come. It’s a special thing to pass a fandom down. Also, don’t get between a Flyers fan and their Chickie’s and Pete’s crab fries.

"When I fell in love with hockey, the Flyers were gods I could actually see, thanks to their open practices. Lindros, LeClair, Brind’Amour, every player was a giant and could move and do what seemed impossible. The magic in the 1997 Cup run set the course of my entire life." Matthew Maratea said.

Real passion is just that; falling in love with a team while they're on top of the world and sticking through when it all falls apart. Flyers fans know those feelings all too well. One goal away from immortality in 2010….sorry, too soon?

"I think being a Flyers fan honestly means everything to me. Watching every single game, having an opportunity to write about them, and sharing that passion with people are things I wouldn’t give up for the world. I don’t think there is a better sports city in America than Philadelphia, and I don’t think there’s a more feared place to play if you’re an opponent when the Flyers are at their best.”

“Being part of that passion and enthusiasm is incredible, and you really feel like you’re part of the team, and the Flyers, indirectly, have given me so much. Because of them, I’ve had opportunities to make new friends, meet new colleagues, and this season, they’ve given me legitimate hope with their on-ice play too. I was born into this, and I’ve sat through so many exhilarating wins and through so much more heartbreak. But I couldn’t imagine life without the Flyers, and the day they win the Cup again will be one of the greatest days of my life." Jake Modugno said.

Philadelphia may become truly insufferable if the Flyers find a way to become one of hockey’s greatest. And we will deserve the right to never let you forget about it.

"To me, being a Flyers fan is celebrating everything that is tough and gritty about Philly. It's that blue-collar life that gives you punches, and you punch back ethic that is embedded in the DelVal. It's what keeps us fighting for more, even though we want to give up. It's what will also make it that much sweeter when we finally win the Cup." Scott Cole said.

That might be the truest of them all. The Flyers embody the Philadelphia blue-collar lifestyle. Working hard and not always being appreciated for what you do, or getting what you want. Getting punched in the face, figuratively and literally, and going back to do it all over again. But it's all worth it in the end.

Don’t ever change Flyers fan. Your true passion and faithfulness is what makes this city proud.