Tell me why I should continue to follow sports

[novelist_wannabe]

Call me fair-weather or a quitter if you like, but I'm sick of disappointment in the teams I follow, and I'm now considering bagging the whole thing. Yeah, I chose poorly. But at some point, there has to be a payoff, and frankly, I've given up on that ever happening. If you don't think your team has a chance, what's the point? I've grown to despise Cubs fans because they wear this **** on their sleeve. Plus, sports are a cesspool. There is no limit to bad behavior that comes along with them. Sure, this is a microcosm of society. Doesn't mean I have time invest my time, money and emotions in people who promote and engage in cheating, constantly make bad off-field decisions and dismiss everybody else when they get called on it.

So I ask you, dear board, to give me a reason to stick with it. Failing that, I'll take suggestions on other pursuits.

 

[DanOregon]

I follow sports because I enjoy getting emotionally invested in something that ultimately doesn't affect my life one way or another whichever way it falls.
Admittedly, I'm less a "fan" than I was before I got into the business. Realizing that the "other guys" were just as decent people as "my" teams.
But there is still a lot of joy to be found in sports, seeing teams (whether they are "yours" or not) come together and succeed or fail. It isn't as much about the end result for me, but the journey.
I still get a thrill when I'm watching a game (think that Boston College-Miami Flutie miracle game) where the game is so good that it really doesn't matter who wins or loses, the entire experience transcends a win or a loss, and you realize this before the game is over.

 

[ucacm]

I still get a thrill when I'm watching a game (think that Boston College-Miami Flutie miracle game) where the game is so good that it really doesn't matter who wins or loses, the entire experience transcends a win or a loss, and you realize this before the game is over.

I really enjoy watching NFL and College Football for this reason. In the NFL, I don't root for a team, I just love watching good games. It also makes fantasy football more enjoyable, as I don't have the dilemma of rooting for guys on a hated team just because of FFB implications. College football is a little different, because I love rooting for my alma mater, but there are tons of other conferences where games have minimal effect on the success of the team I root for. I also love watching the sheer agony/joy of wins and losses in college football fanbases.

I'd consider myself as loyal of a fan of certain teams as anyone in America, but I don't equate loyalty with letting wins and losses make or break my life. I might be bummed for a day or two, but I get over the losses.

Also, on a little side rant, I really don't get the casual fan of the dominant franchises in sports. What's the fun in following a team where you essentially only enjoy the wins? The losses are what make the wins so damn enjoyable. None of "my" teams have won a championship in my adult life, but the fantasy of them winning it all will probably be more enjoyable than when they do hoist the trophy.

 

[Azrael]

Follow sports. Don't root for teams.

 

[Uncle.Ruckus]

Why should I bother trying to convince you of anything? Why should anyone?

If you don't want to follow sports anymore, don't. It's just that simple.

 

[Armchair_QB]

If you don't follow sports you have no excuse to put off yardwork.

 

[Cosmo]

Pat Neshek.

 

[Riptide]

I watch a lot less sports since I left the newspaper sports job. Right now I don't miss the games and, even more, the endless drama/bull**** and constant analysis/bull**** within those games. But the baseball playoffs are here, and the football seasons are thickening, so I'll be watching more sports soon.

But sports are just a sideline as I get older. If my teams lose now, well, tough ****. Work harder, boys. Some gotta win, some gotta lose. ... And those fat contracts? Who cares. All the statistics say you'll be broke 10 years from now.

Play ball!!!

 

[Steak Snabler]

Because you can't jerk off 24 hours a day.

 

[Zeke12]

Pat Neshek.

Yes.

Also:


http://outkickthecoverage.com/yeah----thats-my-sons-football-in-your-cheese-dip.php

 

[spikechiquet]

This:

Because you can't jerk off 24 hours a day.

And This:

Why should I bother trying to convince you of anything? Why should anyone?

If you don't want to follow sports anymore, don't. It's just that simple.

The latter more than the former...but yeah, if you don't want to follow ALL sports...then don't and jump into politics, or knitting or competitive drinking. It's a free world.

 

[Bubbler]

Sports, and following sports teams, is one of the few things left in our society that we experience collectively.

Is that a reason to follow sports or a team? Of course not.

But I think it's a reason why it resonates with people even when they're well past the point of knowing how meaningless sports are in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Riptide]

Follow sports. Don't root for teams.

I like this. I just want to see good games when I watch. It's also interesting to see how the losing players and teams deal with defeat -- especially after upsets. It's just games, anyway; the real world has bigger issues. So, by taking that approach, I do like the games I watch that much more.

 

[imjustagirl]

Give it up, novvie. Join me. It's really freeing.

 

[dreunc1542]

Follow sports. Don't root for teams.

Yep.

 

[dixiehack]

Before I opened the thread, I was going to post that you should walk away if you don't derive joy from it. And in reality that's still the answer.

But giving up just because you're mad your teams aren't winning? That's just unseemly to me. In your case, I'm assuming you are reeling from the Braves-UGA sucker punch. It's frustrating to see the mountaintop only to get shoved to the bottom yet again. But the pain is part of it, and what ultimately makes the eventual glory feel more deserved and not just a fleeting smile. The days when I felt like my soul was ripped out still haunt me. But I could no more give up on "my boys" than I could my children.

 

[imjustagirl]

The "eventual glory," dixiehack? That's easy to say as a 'Bama fan.

Not all teams get eventual glory.

 

[Riptide]

There's a separate thread in there regarding never getting the glory: Which college fans root for the pits of the pits across the board?

 

[dooley_womack1]

Because you can't jerk off 24 hours a day.

Hey, Versatile! I found someone of little faith!

 

[dixiehack]

The "eventual glory," dixiehack? That's easy to say as a 'Bama fan.

Not all teams get eventual glory.

What are the odds I'll ever see the Preds lift the Stanley Cup or Bama win a Final Four?

Besides, I started watching the Tide in the mid 80s, when they seemed stuck on eight wins forever and Curry never beat Auburn. Later came the probation years and Dubose and Shula. You can dig up the threads here saying Bama was stupid for thinking it could get an elite coach and shouldn't expect to compete for championships anymore.

That said, you root for the Browns and Indians. Giving up in your case is a completely rational act. ;D