Sports

Football and Facebook: Virginians Back Baltimore in 2013 Super Bowl

Facebook data shows most Northern Virginia users are rooting for the Baltimore Ravens, switching their allegiance (temporarily) from the Washington Redskins.

It's not a surprise that most Facebook users in Northern Virginia and DC started the football season solidly supporting the Washington Redskins—even though many people who live here are transplants.

"While winning seems to matter, NFL teams have local followings that are probably heavily influenced by family ties and/or where a person grew up," according to Facebook, which recently compiled data on Facebook users who are fans of an NFL team on the social network.

During the regular season, Redskins fans on Facebook are likely to be friends with fans of the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens, Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants—most of those are geographically close to the DC area, Facebook reports.  

Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But now that the Redskins' season is over and the Baltimore Ravens are heading to Sunday's Super Bowl XLVII (47) against the San Francisco 49ers, many local residents have shifted their allegiance to the city to the north.

According to Facebook data, most Facebook users in Northern Virginia and throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast will be rooting for the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday. 

Find out what's happening in Old Town Alexandriawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In fact, several stores in the DC area aren't even selling San Francisco 49ers gear. A woman from Falls Church who is a 49ers fan told Falls Church Patch earlier this week she ordered San Francisco 49ers gear online.

Read more on Super Bowl Sunday here: 

2013 Super Bowl: Where to Watch in Alexandria

NFL Playoffs: Football Players from Virginia

Dogs from Virginia-Based Rescue Group in Animal Planet Puppy Bowl

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