CREATED BY BUD LIGHT AND VICE DIGITAL SERVICES
These are the people you stop in the street and ask for a picture (even if you’re not that type of person). Their costumes are over-the-top, elaborate and strangely beautiful. It’s impossible to pick a definitive top five, but here are some of the best.
Videos by VICE
#1 BEADMAN
“I weave my costume out of beads. It’s all Mardi Gras beads that I buy. I go to the store, I pick out the color I like, and I sit down and make a pattern. Then I just make it. I’ve made a special loom and I weave them on it. It takes me about 48 hours to make an outfit.”
#2 OMASCARAS
“Since I am of Mexican descent, I wanted the Omascaras character to embody elements of Mexican culture and history. I chose to do this by honoring the Mexican sport of Lucha Libre. Omascaras wears mariachi pants because he is also a musician; the bandoleer belts symbolize Mexico’s revolutionary strength in the face of tyranny and the machete is a tool of tradition. Lastly, the shoulder pads and a Texans jersey. This outfit celebrates Mexican culture (which Texas originally was) while embracing the Houston Texans. Since Houston is where Sam Houston declared his Texas Republic, it is the ultimate homage to our origins, our mutual history, and our dedication to our beloved Houston Texans.”
#3 FLAME BROTHER
“During 1999 season the end zone sections became known as the Flame Pit and the Flame Heads were born. My two older brothers and I started dressing all out for the games to show our support for the Tennessee Titans. We called ourselves the Flame Brothers. This journey as superfans of the Tennessee Titans has allowed us to be part of many great moments over the last decade or so.”
#4 UNCLE SKINS
“D.C. is a great place to live and has a ton of rich history. A local radio host mentioned in his program that icons like senators, diplomats, and other legislation symbols are not that intimidating. I happen to agree with that statement, so I mulled over things that did provoke local pride and strength.
“In political cartoons, Uncle Sam was a symbolic figure who could sign a bill in one hand and coldcock you with the other. He’d always had a solemn look on his face and wasn’t afraid to roll up his formal dress sleeves to get his hands dirty. He is a great combination of power, intimidation, and respect. All those things give great symbolic parallels to our area.”
#5 CAPTAIN DEE-FENSE
“I was walking around the stadium during the first season. I had this cardboard defense sign and army camo pants on. This girl about eight years old came up to me and asked me if I was the ‘Captain Of the Defense’. Now, at this time, I wasn’t looking for a name, but I liked the sound of it. Before the next home game, I went to the store and bought some of those iron-on letters and put Captain Dee-Fense on the back of a t-shirt. My outfit was pretty simple in the earlier days, but it has evolved into what it is today.”
Hall of Fandom images by Peter Sutherland, Shaniqwa Jarvis, Stephanie Mei-Ling and Ben Colen.
See more of the Hall of Fandom here.
This content was paid for by the advertising partner and created in collaboration with VICE digital services, independently from the VICE Sports editorial staff.
