Skip to main content

Press Releases

View All News

Loyalty Over Laundry: One Fifth Of College Football Fans Admit Apparel Goes Unwashed For More Than Two Weeks

September 26, 2013

20% of Fans Won’t Wash Their T-shirt During a Winning Streak

RIVERWOODS, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep. 26, 2013-- If something smells as you’re watching your favorite college football team in action this season, you may want to ask your friends the last time they did laundry.

Forty-two percent of college football fans said they have gone without washing their favorite piece of game day apparel for a few days, according to the Discover Fan Loyalty Poll. While a few days may not sound so bad, 43 percent of respondents have held out even longer:

  • One week: 21 percent
  • Two weeks: 7 percent
  • One month: 4 percent
  • More than a month: 9 percent
  • You’ve never washed, it smells really bad: 2 percent
  • Don’t remember: 3 percent
  • Not sure: 13 percent

When it comes to which piece of clothing college football fans prefer to wear the most without washing during a winning streak in order to not jinx their favorite team, 20 percent selected a dirty shirt to keep the streak alive, followed by:

  • Hat: 10 percent
  • Jewelry: 4 percent
  • Underwear: 3 percent
  • Pants: 3 percent
  • Socks: 2 percent
  • Shorts: 2 percent
  • Something else: 3 percent

However, 54 percent of college football fans need their apparel to feel clean each week while watching their favorite team play.

The second annual Discover Fan Loyalty Poll gives die-hard college football fans a platform to showcase their love for the sport. Results so far mirror last year’s poll when it comes to ranking which team is the best college football team in the country right now. Alabama dominates once again receiving 44 percent, followed by:

  • Oregon: 14 percent
  • Ohio State: 10 percent
  • Clemson: 4 percent
  • Stanford: 2 percent

The Discover Fan Loyalty Poll is conducted twice a month by Rasmussen Reports, a nationally recognized leader in polling, who gathers sentiment by phone from 1500 college football fans who follow games at least once per week on television, radio, in person or online.

The Poll leads up to the 2014 Discover Orange Bowl. Discover’s commitment to college football includes relationships with ESPN and Notre Dame Football on NBC.

About Discover

Discover Financial Services (NYSE: DFS) is a direct banking and payment services company with one of the most recognized brands in U.S. financial services. Since its inception in 1986, the company has become one of the largest card issuers in the United States. The company issues the Discover card, America's cash rewards pioneer, and offers home loans, private student loans, personal loans, home equity loans, checking and savings accounts, certificates of deposit and money market accounts through its direct banking business. It operates the Discover Network, with millions of merchant and cash access locations; PULSE, one of the nation's leading ATM/debit networks; and Diners Club International, a global payments network with acceptance in more than 185 countries and territories. For more information, visit www.discover.com/company.

Source: Discover Financial Services

Discover Financial Services
Katie Henry, 224-405-4437
kathrynhenry@discover.com
or
Discover Financial Services
Matt Towson, 224-405-5649
matthewtowson@discover.com

Quick links