According to family tradition, my first sports allegiance was to the St. Louis Cardinals, specifically the football team. I made my debut into this wild world on a Sunday morning around 11 a.m., back when the Cardinals were still in Missouri. Not long after, my parents and I—though I suspect it was mostly my dad—tuned in to watch the Cardinals take on the Cowboys.
In their final season opener before relocating to Arizona, the Cardinals defeated the Cowboys, 24-13.
Advertisement
However, aside from my support during Super Bowl XLIII, I haven’t really been a fan of that football team. The other St. Louis Cardinals, on the contrary, have held my loyalty throughout my life.
I have attended significantly more baseball games for the Cardinals than for the Royals. Until around 2010, when it became evident I would remain in Kansas City, the Cardinals were my main team. At that point, I decided to support the local team.
Nevertheless, I continue to root for the Cardinals, especially as they undertake a major rebuild—a rarity in my lifetime. Although it’s probably necessary for the franchise’s future, witnessing it unfold is still a bit strange.
Advertisement
So yes, I support both the Kansas City Royals and the St. Louis Cardinals. And you can too! I’ve created a set of supposedly objective (but actually subjective) guidelines that will let you root for multiple teams within the same league without guilt (or maybe some guilt).
Rule No. 1: Hereditary
You can support a team you were raised to love. This was my case; having never lived in St. Louis, I still cheered for the Cardinals because they were my dad’s and mom’s team. Even after relocating to Kansas City, my allegiance remained.
Rule No. 2: Geography is King
If you wish to support two teams in the same league, they should not be geographically close. Cheering for the Dodgers and the Angels? Too close! Support the team in your area and forget about the neighbors.
Rule No. 3: The Yankees Directive
If you are a Yankees fan, you cannot support another team. You are bound to the Yankees. When their season ends, turn off your screens until the World Series ends, and this applies to other leagues as well.
Rule No. 4: Same Division (NFL and MLB only)
It’s unacceptable to support two teams in the same division, particularly in the NFL and MLB. As a Royals fan, for instance, don’t cheer for rivals in your division unless they face the Yankees or Dodgers in the playoffs.
Rule No. 5: Wedded Bliss
While some people marry fans of rival teams, you cannot use this to justify supporting another team. Maintain your allegiance; love shouldn’t change your loyalty.
Rule No. 6: No Kroenkes Allowed
If you’re a fan of any of the following teams, you cannot cheer for another: Rams, Avalanche, Nuggets, or Arsenal.
Rule No. 7: Chaos
You must never support your biggest rival, even if they’re playing against a universally disliked opponent. In such cases, you should root for chaos instead.
