Fan First

05/02/2017

This is the guy that the NFL compared to Rae Carruth and said they want to punish.

This is who the NFL said is a distraction.

It is good to see that Kaepernick NFL job or not, is still doing what he promised to do and that is make the community a better place.

Hard for Parolees those wh...

07/01/2016

The New York “Football” Giants, as they are affectionately known by their loyal fans, are one of the most successful franchises in history of the National Football League. A die hard Giants fan remembers the “greatest game ever played,” the 1958 NFL Championship (pre-Super Bowl era), even though they were on the losing end at Yankee Stadium that day. It’s the pride in knowing that your team was part of the turning point in the popularity of pro football in this country. Likewise, Giants fans cannot forget their eight championships, four before the Super Bowl era and four after. Their battles in the NFC East Division, featuring rivalries with the Eagles, Cowboys, and Redskins are epic. The iconic names to wear the classic Giants uniform include Frank Gifford, Y.A. Tittle, Phil Simms, and modern day players such as Michael Strahan and Eli Manning. Certainly, no fan of the G-Men can overlook the success and legendary demeanor of Bill Parcells and Tom Coughlin roaming the sidelines and leading the team to Super Bowl victories.

Kerry Bretti, 24 of Katonah, NY is one of the most avid fans of Big Blue. Her appetite for Giants football is second to none. She makes sure each Sunday to be front and center to watch her beloved gridiron favorites.

“It’s pretty random that I am a Giants fan because my dad is an Oakland Raiders fan, my mom grew up in Miami and is a Dolphins fan, and both of my siblings are Philadelphia Eagles fans because my uncle is a die-hard Philly fanatic. In 8th grade, I started taking stats on the sidelines for our high school football team, and I really got into the sport. A lot of them would talk about the Giants so I started watching the Giants on Sundays too, and that was the end of it.”

“I love that the Jets also used to play their home games in Giants Stadium. I still think they should have kept the name moving to the new stadium but I love MetLife. Every year, my Dad picks one home game, and we rent a big party bus and tailgate. It is without a doubt one of the most fun days of the year. When you’re at MetLife and you’re in blue, you’re family.”

“I never got the chance to see Phil Simms or Lawrence Taylor play because I started watching football so late but I would have loved to. These are both pretty cliché, but I love Eli Manning and loved Justin Tuck. I like Eli because he is super low key. He is a stand-up guy and is very respectable. He definitely has his bad games but when he’s hot he’s hot. He has some incredible passes on his resume. I like Justin Tuck because of his personality. He bleeds blue and all things New York like I do. I also enjoyed watching him because there is something to be said for a great athlete on the defensive end. I played defense when I played lacrosse in college and I think it’s just a respect thing. Justin Tuck is also a monster.”

Photo: Bretti (far right) on the field at MetLife Stadium for a Giants game with friends (left to right) Julianne Flood Brevi, Taylor Reh and Liz Beville.

07/01/2016

Women are still making contributions to the game of baseball.

For the first time since the 1950s, a professional baseball team will field both male and female players. Kelsie Whitmore and Stacy Piagno will debut for the Sonoma Stompers of the independent Paci…

06/30/2016

The Championships, Wimbledon is in full force on both the gentlemen and ladies sides of the draw. Are you having your breakfast with Wimbledon? Big matches today feature: Andy Murray ( #2, men), Garbiñe Muguruza ( #2, ladies), Richard Gasket ( #7, men) and the Williams in the ladies' doubles first round.

Photo: Andy Lee, Wikimedia Commons

06/30/2016

Sports analytics, starting with SABR Metrics (baseball), has been on the rise over the last two decades. This academic program will be sure to send many into a budding field of sports data.

This fall's freshman class can earn a degree in sports analytics by spring of 2020.

06/28/2016

The college basketball and entire sports world mourns the loss of former Tennessee Lady Vols coach, Pat Summitt. Her 1,098 wins are the most all-time in college basketball (men's or women's), but it was her victories in life and the advancement of women's athletics that are even more impactful. Summitt was a trailblazer for women's college basketball and helped girls believe that they could become successful women on their sport's grandest stage. Her 64 years are just the tip of the iceberg of how her legacy will live on and continue to impact so many.

Ms. Summitt led the Tennessee women’s basketball team to eight national titles in 38 seasons, winning more games than any other Division I coach, male or female.

06/24/2016

After two previous last place seasons, the Red Sox are looking to return to their winning ways in 2016, and are currently in second place in the American League East Division. Jillian Barker, 28, of South Boston has been a lifelong Red Sox fan and shares her love for Boston baseball.

“I'm a Red Sox fan because my dad is a diehard Sox fan.” Having been born and raised in the Albany, NY region she says “This was definitely an unusual thing growing up in Yankee Territory, and I was one of the only Sox fans in my grade. Luckily, I didn't have to wait as long as others to finally see some Red Sox success.”

Though she was lucky enough to be at Fenway when the Red Sox won the ALCS in 2013, her favorite memory was Game 4 of the ALCS in 2004. “The 2003 post season was brutal (losing to the Yankees) and it looked like 2004 would be the same facing New York again. With a tie in the ninth, the game was forced into extra innings. Manny Ramirez singled and then David Ortiz hit a walk off 2-run home run. For so many years the Red Sox had choked during the most important moments. But finally, you could see a turning point.” That year, the Red Sox went on to win the World Series for the first time since 1918.

Pictured below: Barker (center right), attends a Red Sox game at Fenway Park with sister Kelley (far left), friends Tess Milliken (center left), and Jen Peck (far right).

06/24/2016

NBA Draft 2016! Who is watching?! 🏀📺

The top 10 picks of the 2016 are in!

06/23/2016

Ever want customize your favorite player or team's t-shirt or jersey?

Nancy Austin, Deputy Director of Military Programs at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications (Syracuse University), demonstrates some of the creative ways to personalize sports gear.

Srosh Anwar, writer for FAN F1RST, models the shirt beforehand and Austin is shown during the beginning stages of the customization. Stay tuned for the results!

06/17/2016

With an early deficit and a controversy to navigate, LeBron James’ back-to-back 40 point games have propelled the Cleveland Cavaliers into a 3-3 series tie with the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals. With Game 7 approaching (Sunday, June 19, at 8 p.m. ET, ABC), following the Cavs 115-101 victory last night, no one is more excited than “The Land” super fan, Jacqui Sparks. Sparks, 23, of Rocky River, Ohio believes a professional sports championship for Cleveland is important for two reasons: It would end a 52-year drought/curse and bring business, talent, and a new beginning to the city. “I have been a Cavs fan for as long as I can remember. I have lived in the suburbs right outside of Cleveland my whole life and have grown up loving all Cleveland sports — even though it is not easy!”

Sparks’ favorite Cavs memory is James’ 2009 buzzer-beater against the Orlando Magic to win Game 2. The game was tied at 93, and with nine seconds left, Hedo Turkoglu (Magic) hit a two-point shot with one second remaining. Mo Williams inbounded the ball to LeBron, and he hit a three-point shot for the win. “Even though we lost the series that shot was incredible to witness,” she says.

“LeBron means so much to Cleveland because he is one of us. The rest of the country couldn't understand our pain when he left,” she says. “We didn't just lose a basketball player; we lost a fellow Clevelander who had suffered along with us.”

Pictured below: Sparks (right), attends a recent Cavs game with sister Nicole (left) and friend Leah Bork (middle).

06/16/2016

Let’s just say we got really distracted while doing our research for an upcoming story on where to the find the best fan gear for your pet.

06/14/2016

In honor of Flag Day, we want to highlight the creative ways in which Major League Baseball teams fly their flags. Some use pennants, some use banners, and others fly traditional flags. Here at the Yawkey Way entrance to Fenway Park, the Boston Red Sox display banners for their eight World Series titles (red) and 13 American League pennants (blue). How does your team fly their flags?