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“Sad Virginia Fan” meme: meaning, origin and common card

The Sad Virginia Fan meme captures total despair after a crushing sports defeat.

MyMemeCards editorial teamPublished 8 min read
Sad Virginia Fan meme
The “Sad Virginia Fan” meme, 2015

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In MyMemeCards, the meme card game, “Sad Virginia Fan” is a common card of the Memes World series 75, number 22304 of the collection, and the 151st best-known meme of its 300 cards. Here is what the meme means, where it comes from, and how to get its card.

What does the “Sad Virginia Fan” meme mean?

This image embodies absolute hopelessness and resignation in the face of inevitable failure. It expresses the raw emotion of a fan watching their hopes vanish in seconds. It is used to illustrate any sudden personal or professional setback, turning a sporting frustration into a universal metaphor for disappointment.

Where does the “Sad Virginia Fan” meme come from?

The photograph comes from the college football game between Virginia and Notre Dame, played on September 12, 2015, at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville. With twelve seconds left, quarterback DeShone Kizer threw a decisive touchdown pass to Will Fuller, securing a 34-27 victory for Notre Dame. ESPN cameras captured Mike Bunting, a student supporter of the Cavaliers, slumping against a wall in despair. Spotted by producers in the broadcast truck, the image went national. Two users, Timothy Burke and Erik Malinowski, posted it simultaneously on Twitter around 5:01 PM EST. A parody account, @SadVirginiaFan, was created that same night, launching the photo into internet culture.

  1. 2015Massive spread of the photo on Twitter following the Virginia-Notre Dame match.

How to use the “Sad Virginia Fan” meme

  • Share this photo during a disappointing professional announcement to mark your humorous breakdown.
  • Use the image in response to an unpopular tax policy to symbolize citizen anger.
  • Post the screenshot after a major computer glitch to illustrate your immediate technical frustration.

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  • notre dame vs virginia 2015
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  • deshone kizer touchdown 2015

The “Sad Virginia Fan” card in MyMemeCards

Sad Virginia Fan card
NumberNo. 22304
RarityCommon
CollectionMemes World series 75
Fame59/100 · #151 of 300
Recycle value5 MemeCoins (15 in Shiny)
Rarities of the Memes World series 75: 300 cards
  • Common21371%
  • Rare5418%
  • Epic3110%
  • Legendary20.7%

How to get the “Sad Virginia Fan” card

Every pack holds 5 meme cards, the first 3 of them Common; Sad Virginia Fan comes out of the Memes World series 75 as a common card. The pack odds say what each rarity weighs.

Your first pack is free and needs no account. After that a new free pack lands every 10 minutes, up to 3 waiting for you. You can also buy the card with MemeCoins on the market, bid for it at auction, or trade it — and a double recycles into 5 MemeCoins.

Open your free pack

5 meme cards, one of them at least Rare. One free pack per person.

Free · no account needed

Odds per card, averaged over a pack: Common 72%, Rare 23.9%, Epic 3.2%, Legendary 0.56%, Mythic 0.3%, Full Art ≤ 0.1%, Shiny 0.2%. Cards 1 to 3 are always Common, cards 4 and 5 climb the rarities. Rates drop for cards that circulate a lot. Details

Memes like “Sad Virginia Fan”

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Frequently asked questions

Who is the Sad Virginia Fan?

It is Mike Bunting, a student supporter of the University of Virginia. His shocked face was photographed during a 2015 match against Notre Dame.

When did the match take place?

The game occurred on September 12, 2015. This is when the camera captured the fan's reaction.

Which broadcast aired the image?

The television coverage was provided by ESPN. The sequence was spotted by producers in the broadcast truck before being shared online.

Why is this meme famous?

It represents the archetype of sporting despair. Its visual power allows easy manipulation of the posture to express any type of failure.

How do I get the Sad Virginia Fan meme card?

Open a pack of MyMemeCards: “Sad Virginia Fan” is a common card of the Memes World series 75. Your first pack is free, with no account, and you can also buy, trade or win the card at auction.

How rare is the Sad Virginia Fan card?

It is a Common card. Rarity decides which pack slot can deal it, and what it is worth on the market.

Sources: Sad Virginia Fan Meme: The Story Behind the Image · Virginia sports have mastered the art of losing · Sad Virginia Fan meme: origin and common card · checked on October 17, 2026.

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