Is it normal to follow sports passionately?

77% Normal
12 Comments

I follow sports very closely as a so-called "hardcore fan". It's a very effective diversion from every day life and helps me to calm down at the end of a stressful day. But most times I watch my teams, I find myself screaming at the television as if my own words will affect the team's play. It's become such an issue that neighbors have come to my door or nervously ask me if everything's all right.

In other words, I am a fan of several sports teams that historically underachieve.

Following these teams is an emotional rollercoaster. The hope of a new season often begins with optimism but spirals into sadness and depression. The hateful taunting my teams get online (especially on Twitter) often makes matters worse. It painfully reminds me of the harassment I used to receive in school, so I take it more personally than I should.

In the last few years, my teams hired better staffing and players, creating a wave of optimism among the fanbase. All I want to do is laugh and berate everyone who once made fun of these teams once they start winning again.

I am often a respectful, humble person but I get so bent out of shape over my teams being called "losers" that part of me wants to boastfully tell people "our day will come" and "I told you so" once we do win a title. As if my words will ever affect it or make things better.

It's almost as if this is my version of an ego trip in spite of being a somewhat selfless and empathetic person outside of my sport allegiances.

I often see some of the awful, horrific things fans do in the name of sport. After one game I attended, a fan of the losing team blindsided a fan of the winning team simply for wearing an opposing jersey and punched him multiple times until he bled. The losing fan was eventually pursued and caught by security. It is a moment that, years later, still shocks me. It made me wonder if this whole "sports thing" is worth it if people have to be that way.

Should I tone it down and stop being this passionate about sports? I'm starting to get tired of having millionaires' inconsistent performances affect my life. I certainly don't want my sports hobby to affect any relationships because of some deep-rooted angst I take way too personally.

Voting Results
77% Normal
Based on 35 votes (27 yes)
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Comments ( 12 )
  • thegypsysailor
    8 years ago

    I used to love pro-ball, until they went with parity. After that the players lost all loyalty to their team, making money the only reason to play the sport. Each player is only out for themselves and how much they can improve their value to whatever team can afford them.
    That has ruined what was once a great TEAM sport.

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  • CountessDouche
    8 years ago

    Hahaha I used to be fan-fucking-natic about nascar races and auto racing, near obsessive...just the community, the rivalries, the races, the energy. It's just such a fun distraction, and I did love it. I remember drinking beers and literally standing on my couch and screaming when brad keselowski wrecked Carl Edwards at talladega (ahhhh- that was fucking awesome).

    Now that I don't even have a tv, I kinda realize how silly it was to commit 10 hours a weekend. I still think it's fun, but I'm over the whole obsession thing, and I'm happier for it. Maybe some distance would help. : )

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    • chained_rage
      8 years ago

      You know... people are always bashing nascar and its fans. I never got that =/
      So I decided to watch nascar on the tv oneday to see how moronic it is.
      It really isn't. At all. It's actually very exciting.

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      • CountessDouche
        8 years ago

        It is ; )

        I honestly get why people bag the fuck out of NASCAR...comparatively less skill when compared to road racing, and it's so sponsorship dominated, you'd be hard pressed to find a s.cup race that wasn't dominated by the big-3 engine builders...

        But it is still incredibly fun and exciting; lots of great rivalries, driver drama, and seriously educational segments about automotives.

        If you ever visit America, you should check out a race! There's three per weekend at most of the major tracks...so it's like a full 3 day event. People bring campers and basically erect an entire city. It's such a fun environment. I've had some great times at NASCAR races.

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        • chained_rage
          8 years ago

          Wow. That seriously sounds impressive. I didn't know about the 3 day camping event because I only watched it once.. but it really is exciting and they give so much info about anything and everything.

          I do think they do need serious skill and nerves of steel though.. because of the bumper-to-bumper high speed chasing that goes on.
          Also, I heard that the cars do have brakes but, at that speeds, it doesn't help much if you brake.
          Dunno how true the statement is but I can imagine it might be reasonable to believe it.. might even be the reason why the tracks are oval :)

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          • CountessDouche
            8 years ago

            Haha- they have to have breaks for caution laps and shit, but they're not really a priority at super speedways (like daga, Daytona, tex m speedway, etc)- those are the really huge tracks where it's all high speed, bumper to bumper, etc; but breaks are a huge deal at short tracks because the science of passing is way different there...they also do at least one road course race per year, and the driving is totally different for that. It's all about breaking and passing at the right moment.

            It's kinda interesting. The different types of tracks require totally different driving skills. The lineup is even different.

            The shit thing is, that sometimes a win depends solely on building the best car, which is why the best sponsored/funded teams tend to dominate. Even supposedly indi teams often have engines from heavily sponsored teams (boo Stewart haas with their Hendricks motors)...

            It is cool that the tracks are all so different though...I mean, to spank bitches at every track, a driver would have to be able to adjust to completely different styles of racing, with a car that handles differently.

            Ok...I'll shut up about the NASCAR now lol

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      8 years ago

      It's a bit tougher to tear away in my situation as I have a direct investment in one of my teams (season tickets). It's a lot more "normal" to raise your voice and get animated in the stands instead of in front of the television, but that fanaticism is still there.

      I had season tickets (from the same team) a few years ago but cancelled after a particularly bad season. Why should I pay hundreds of dollars if I'm not getting any return on my investment? I came back in because a friend wanted to save me a seat and I agreed. We'll see where it leads us!

      To make matters worse, I live in a sports-crazy town where big sports news often becomes the top news story of the day. Sometimes it's inescapable, but after much thought I'd gladly take my sanity over a sports championship.

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      • CountessDouche
        8 years ago

        It almost sounds like you're a cubs/bears fan, which would be very serious...

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        • IsaacClark21
          8 years ago

          It's sounds like maybe browns or Indians or even cavs fans the last two years before lebron came back were bad seasons, but I follow Cleveland teams passionately and trust me its a lot of stress being a fan but we do stay loyal no matter how bad they fail.

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  • theseeker
    8 years ago

    If it makes you feel any better I'm kind of the same way. I'm actually not a big sports fan, but I have a team I watch and follow very passionately, which makes it even more intense because they are the only team I follow. It has been a lifelong tradition for me. I haven't missed a game in years. I have found myself going through those same emotions. When they win it puts me in a really good mood, but when they lose I get really depressed. In recent years, they've also underachieved a lot, so it has been mostly disappointing. However, I still really enjoy watching them play for some reason. It gives you something to look forward to.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      8 years ago

      Thanks for the reply!

      I understand many of us can be fanatics of a team but it's when it clouds our greater judgment that it can be hard. It's often really hard supporting a team that just can't get it together.

      What strikes me is the effect it has on one's mood or day and the fact it's more normal than I expected. That is what I'd really want to look at. What drives rational people to such emotional lengths and irrational beliefs? It's a really tough situation to be in.

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  • CforCourageous
    8 years ago

    Go Blue

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