In an attempt to muster up some type of fan culture, one fan started chanting “Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh,” from the 2003 The White Stripes song Seven Nation Army.
Everyone in the crowd immediately hated it, but felt compelled to join in anyway.
The intent of the chant was to intimidate the opposing team’s players, but it had the opposite effect. One player in particular was born in the year 2000, and the song served as a nostalgic trigger, bringing him back to the comfort of his youth. He went on to have the best game of his career and credited the chant:
“I love The White Stripes. It reminds me of home and really eased my nerves.”
The fan who started the chant admitted to the lack of thought that led them to begin the tune:
“I was on autopilot. That one’s on me. We’d already done the wave and sang Sweet Caroline, so I guess I was just in the mindset of those easy crowd go-to’s.”
The fan said next time they’ll think twice before haphazardly starting up a chant.