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Due to the very nature of fans, their mere presence can have profound impacts on how the teams perform. Namely, the home team fans would like to see their team win the game. Thus these fans will often create loud sounds or Chant in hopes of distracting, demoralizing and confusing the opposing team while they have Possession of the ball; or to persuade a referee to make a favorable decision. Noises are made by shouting, whistling, stomping and various other techniques. ORIGIN In January 1922 , Texas A&M was playing top-ranked Centre College . The Aggies had limited reserves on their squad and several players were hurt. A&M coach Dana X. Bible, looking for much-needed players remembered a student by the name of E. King Gill, a former football player turned gymnast who was helping reporters identify players in the press box. Gill was asked to be available for the game, suited up and stood on the sideline ready to go in at a moment's notice although he never played in the game. As the game ended, which the Aggies won, Gill was the only remaining man on the sidelines. The students of Texas A&M have ever since been known as the original 12th Man. OTHER USES The "12th man" term has been used by various American football teams including the NFL 's Seattle Seahawks , Buffalo Bills , and the Chicago Bears . The Chicago Bears no longer use the term "12th man" at the request of Texas A&M. The Buffalo Bills and Seattle Seahawks continue to use the phrase. Since the early 80's Seahawks fans have often referred to themselves as the "12th man" and as a tribute to their fans the Seahawks Retired the number 12 during a game on December 15, 1984. This means no player on the team can wear the number 12 on their Jersey . Since then #12 Jerseys have been sold by the team and worn by Seahawk fans, often with the name "Fan" on the back. The Seahawks also have a ceremony before each home game where a flag bearing the #12 is raised by a prominent individual. In 1990, Texas A&M University federally registered (Reg. No. 1,612,053) the phrase as their trademark. In August 1994, Texas A&M filed a second trademark application covering additional goods/services. This registration was granted in January of 1996 (Reg. No. 1,948,306). According to statements made by Texas A&M officials, they have sent requests to stop using the phrase to the Seattle Seahawks (2004, 2005), Buffalo Bills (undated), and the Chicago Bears (undated). Both the Bills and the Bears responded to the requests stating they would no longer use the phrase, however the Seahawks failed to respond to the request. In January, 2006, Texas A&M University issued a cease and desist request to the Seattle Seahawks, demanding that they cease using the phrase. On January 30th, after the Seahawks failed to respond again, they filed in Texas requesting a restraining order asking the Seahawks to stop "using, selling, offering for sale, disseminating, distributing, delivering, circulating, issuing, marketing, displaying, promoting or advertising any products goods or services" that use "12th Man" or "12th Mania." On February 2, 2006, the Seattle Seahawks filed and were granted a request to have the case transferred from a state court to a federal court. According to the request, since Texas A&M claims the violation of a federal trademark, a federal court has jurisdiction over the case. Interestingly, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office also has another accepted, recorded and active trademark request of "12th Man" submitted by an Australian beer company. That trademark, however, was published for opposition and was immediately opposed by the NFL. EFFECTS The effects of the "12th man" vary widely, but can be put in two categories. The first is simply psychological, the effect of showing the home team that they are appreciated, and showing the away team that they are somewhat unwelcome. The second seems far more important, and it directly relates to the deafening effects of a loud crowd. In American football, the "12th man" is typically only loud after plays while the home team is on offense, but loud immediately before the snap on defense. This can make it very difficult for the away team's offense to co-ordinate plays, call Audible s, and hear the Snap Count . If the away team's players are unable to hear the snap count, they are more likely to incur False Start penalties, losing their team precious yards on offense. Sometimes, the sideline is also referred to as the "12th man" or "12th defender". Since a player is considered down when he steps out of bounds, the sideline effectively acts as an extra defender. This usage is less common than the one referring to the fans. In Association Football, the crowd is often loud throughout the match - for example before kickoff ( Liverpool fans singing You'll Never Walk Alone as the players run out); during the buildup to and scoring of a Goal ; when encouraging the team to come back from defeat; to discourage an opposition penalty taker; or to harass a Referee giving a free kick to the oppositon team. SEE ALSO REFERENCES |
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