Eagles? Steelers? Ravens? Browns? Bills? Jets? Giants? Who ya got, Pennsylvania?
While we have NFL teams conveniently representing both the eastern and western part of the commonwealth, Pennsylvanians’ football allegiances aren’t necessarily defined by state borders.
The Baltimore Ravens and Washington Commanders have a strong legion of fans in Pennsylvania’s south-central region. Out west, you’ll find Cleveland Browns fans near the Ohio border, and even some Buffalo Bills fans closer to the New York state line.
In NEPA, plenty of folks root for New York’s other teams, the Giants and the Jets (you know, the New York teams that play in New Jersey). The Steelers still have plenty of fans in lower Bucks County, from when US Steel was based there years ago. And let’s not forget about the dreaded Dallas Cowboys, “America’s Team.” Their fans are everywhere (unfortunately).
Given Pennsylvania’s mixed bag of football fandom, in a recent edition of our newsletter (which you can subscribe to here) we asked: What’s your favorite NFL team and why?
Here’s what you had to say:
“Yes, I live in Pennsylvania, but I’m a Colts/Ravens fan for life, like a lot of people who grew up in and around York.” – Dan T., Shiloh
“I root for the Cleveland Browns, originally from Ohio.” – Theresa Swain, Tioga
“Steelers fan forever. Grew up in Johnstown, now living in Lancaster.” – Ken Knapp, Lancaster
“Ravens. My son, too, who lives in Macungie.” – Dottie Lentini, Kulpmont
“I have been a Buffalo Bills fan for 53 years. I belong to the most enormous Bills fanbase in Pennsylvania with a membership of 2,100 in Pittsburgh.” – Lou Hancherick, Harmony
“My favorite team is the Eagles, of course, because my boyfriend (nickname Sporticus) would leave me otherwise! Ha!” – Dale, Philadelphia
“I have been a die hard Eagles fan since 1963. I was stationed at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita. Kan., and stayed after my term was up. I kept my allegiance to Philly.” – Dennis Warnock, born and raised in Chambersburg
“Eagles, when in public here at home. Though I admit — shhh… — I prefer the 49ers. Something in their play, style, and strategy, along with how they look.” – Melanie Goodman Dante, Conshohocken
“Giants, which is not uncommon here where I am in NEPA. But it sucked before you could get a package with all the games because I used to have to drive about 15 miles away sometimes to watch Giants games years ago.” – Tommy Mastini, Dallas
Patrick Berkery Pat Berkery is the senior community editor of The Keystone
