COLUMBUS, Ohio – Browns and Steelers fans are listed among the toughest in the NFL.
According to a new Hanes poll ranking “America’s Toughest Football Fans,” Pittsburgh fans ranked No. 4 and Browns fans No. 10 among the National Football League’s most intimidating fans.
Oakland Raiders backers took the No. 1 spot, followed by Packers fans and Eagles fans. Fans of the Chicago Bears round out the top five.
“Undying loyalty” leads the list of qualities in a tough football fan, with 97 percent agreeing that the toughest fans stick by their team even through a losing season.
Over 90 percent believe the toughest fans will support their team by going to home games — regardless of the weather — while 82 percent say truly tough fans will also travel to cheer on their team at away games.
Nearly 85-percent say tough fans will begin their taligate parties well before the game starts, and they don’t leave the parking lot until well after the game is over.
And 79-percent say the toughest fans continue to buy team merchandise, even during difficult economic times.
The Top Ten Toughest Football Fans:
1. Oakland
2. Green Bay
3. Philadelphia
4. Pittsburgh
5. Chicago
6. Dallas
7. New York
8. New England
9. New Orleans
10. Cleveland
The survey was done as part of a promotion for Hanes T-shirts