The Fan's Year in Sports, 2012

Often what goes on off the field is just as interesting as what's happening under the lights. Go back through tailgate parties, cheerleader try-outs, skateboarding events, championship parades, roller derby bouts, a little MMA and even a little flugtag with the fan's year in sports from across the country. Compiled from Voice Media Group alt-weeklies.

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Britt Chester

For Peyton Manning's regular season debut on September 9, Broncos fans donned blue and orange and accessories to tailgate before the game. And it seems like it might have worked: The Broncos beat the Steelers 31-19. See more Broncos tailgating photos.

Mike Stolp-Smith

Thousands descended upon Straddleline Raceway in August in Seattle for the "Dirty Dash." See more Dirty Dash Seattle photos.

Ian Witlen

Amateur pilots took to the waters of Biscayne Bay to test their creations for Red Bull Flugtag Miami. See more Red Bull Flugtag Miami photos.

Jim Louvau

Hopefuls strutted their stuff back in August for a chance to become a member of the Phoenix Suns Dancers squad. See more Phoenix Suns dancer try-outs photos.

Christopher Victorio

San Francisco Giants closer Sergio Romo poses with a police officer while wearing a shirt that reads "I just look illegal." More than one million fans crowded downtown San Francisco on October 31 to celebrate the Giants' second World Series title in three years. See more San Francisco Giants World Series Parade photos.

Joshua Huston

Tony Hawk and his Birdhouse buddies were in Seattle in July to try out the city's new Jefferson Park Skatepark. See more Tony Hawk in Seattle photos.

Benjamin Leatherman

The US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix was packed on July 15 for the WWE's "Money in the Bank" pay-per-view event. See more WWE Money in the Bank Phoenix photos.

Benjamin Leatherman

Think you're a die-hard fan of Arizona State University's football squad? Well, in all likelihood you're nowhere near as passionate about ASU pigskin as the hundreds of madcap maroon-and-gold-wearing college kids who occupy the student section at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe. Photographed in August after ASU's win over the NAU Lumberjacks. See more ASU student photos.

Christopher Morgan

On October 6, 2012, the Denver Roller Dolls' Electrocuties competed against the Rocky Mountain Rollergirls' Contenders at the Fillmore Auditorium. See more Denver roller derby photos.