Why are Some Sports Fans so Fanatical?

**johnnymk** · 02-07-2005, 06:36 AM

I have a friend who lives, eats and breathes sports. In the spring and summer, he is consumed by the Phillies; in the fall and winter, it's the Eagles, the Flyers and the Sixers. He can rattle off statistics about guys who play these sports which could make your head spin.

I have another friend who watches every NASCAR race that comes down the pike.

Around here, it's pretty typical. You go to a tavern and there are a dozen TVs playing some kind of sports event. A lot of the times, people are just glued to the TVs and no conversation is going on.

Do these people have no lives or is it something deeper?

**attgig** · 02-07-2005, 07:12 AM

isn't that america?

**nickel** · 02-07-2005, 07:30 AM

Oh but ain't that America for you and me
Ain't that America somethin' to see baby
Ain't that America home of the free
Little pink houses for you and me

**Gothic Girl** · 02-07-2005, 07:47 AM

I also had a friend who was absolutely insane about his football. When his team would start losing, he would start violently throwing up. Weird.

**molecularfire** · 02-07-2005, 10:51 AM

Theory of mine, founded in absolutely zero data...

I think it has to do with our desire to be a part of something bigger and better than our meager little selves. You and I can't win a superbowl or an NBA championship so we root for those who we hope can. If they do well, we get part of the joy of that greatness which we could never hope to accomplish ourselves. Kinda like the same way people believe in religion or try to push their kids to be great... so that we could by their success succeed ourselves in some small way.

I don't think that it is stupid or that their lives have such little meaning that they do it. The vast majority of us do it in some way or another but they just do it in the form of sports. I don't buy into it myself (I do watch sports but I don't get worked up about it). I'm not going to pretend to understand why people are religious it's most likely different for each individual anyways but here is a question... isn't part of it to be a part of something greater than yourselves... I imagine people follow sports kinda the same way (not that I'm comparing religion to sports) just a theory of mine, not trying to rag on anyone's religion here.

**DarkFury** · 02-07-2005, 10:53 AM

Maybe they root for their "champion" as the symbol of what represents them... Kinda like back in the Gladitorial days...

Either that... or they are living vicariously through the team that they are supporting.

**johnnymk** · 02-07-2005, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by DarkFury

Maybe they root for their "champion" as the symbol of what represents them... Kinda like back in the Gladitorial days...

Either that... or they are living vicariously through the team that they are supporting.

Yeah, I would definitely root for a team called "The Vicariousers"

**Airencracken** · 02-07-2005, 11:08 AM

I just don't get team loyalty, after all the friggin team is different every year.

**zenbooty** · 02-07-2005, 11:11 AM

People are always looking for ways to identify themselves with others who are similar and against others that aren't. Whether its religion, gang membership, nationality, what state your from, what city or town you're from, what division of the military you're in, what profession you choose, or what team you root for. People need to feel they "belong," and this identification with groups sharing interests bolstors that feeling.

**~~Cantacuzene~~** · 02-07-2005, 11:34 AM

Sports fanatics are as old as human civilization. I suspect the same thing in our brain wiring that leads to mob violence and political riots is the same thing that causes sports fanaticism.

**ialsohaveadream** · 02-07-2005, 11:39 AM

It's because the Hurricanes are the best! YOU WANNA FIGHT ABOUT IT?

OC · 02-07-2005, 12:08 PM

Lack of intelligence.

**BrewMaster** · 02-07-2005, 01:57 PM

I disagree OC. I know many very intelligent people who are also avid sports fans.

I don't disagree with the whole "wanting to belong" theory necessarily, but could it also be, perchance, that people enjoy the sport? I don't feel the need to belong when it comes to cricket or NASCAR because I don't enjoy the sport. But I do enjoy other sports largely for the suspense of it all. If I have no stake in the game I am watching, I pick a team and root for them. I love the suspense of wathcing a good ball game, whatever shape or size or color the ball may be. So maybe I want to belong, but I also enjoy the sport when no one is around. I watch the Lakers and yell at the TV when I am all by myself in my house (this past Saturday's Lakers/Rockets game being the latest example). So I think a lot of it has to do with passion and suspense for the unpredictable parts of a sport. Kind of like watching Usual Suspects for the first time. It makes you love good movies.

**zenbooty** · 02-07-2005, 02:01 PM

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

I disagree OC. I know many very intelligent people who are also avid sports fans.

I don't disagree with the whole "wanting to belong" theory necessarily, but could it also be, perchance, that people enjoy the sport?

Well yeah that too. Liking the sport is kind of a prerequisite for being a fan. But as far as the fanatical attachment to a particular team, its all groupthink, baby.

**brainsmile** · 02-07-2005, 02:20 PM

I used to be that way but now as I get older I only follow a few teams I really like.

OC · 02-08-2005, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

I disagree OC.

Oh yeah?

http://reuters.myway.com/article/200...TICLES-DC.html

LONDON (Reuters) - A Welsh rugby fan cut off his own testicles to celebrate Wales beating England at rugby, the Daily Mirror reported Tuesday.

Geoff Huish, 26, was so convinced England would win Saturday's match he told fellow drinkers at a social club, "If Wales win I'll cut my balls off," the paper said.

Friends at the club in Caerphilly, south Wales, thought he was joking.

But after the game Huish went home, severed his testicles with a knife, and walked 200 yards back to the bar with the testicles to show the shocked drinkers what he had done.

Huish was taken to hospital where he remained in serious condition, the paper said.

Wales's 11-9 victory over England at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff was their first home win over England in 12 years.

**DarkFury** · 02-08-2005, 08:16 AM

Originally Posted by OC

Oh yeah?

http://reuters.myway.com/article/200...TICLES-DC.html

That goes beyond the limits that the

smiley can depict...

Geezus... self castration in the name of your team? That woulda just had to have been one bet that I'd refuse to follow through on.

x infinity.

**BrewMaster** · 02-08-2005, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by OC

Oh yeah?

http://reuters.myway.com/article/200...TICLES-DC.html

I didn't say all sports fans are intelligent. there are exceptions like these. look at it this way though, he did us all a favor because now he can't reproduce and make more little idiots like him.

OC · 02-08-2005, 08:37 AM

I know, I was just having fun with that link. Still, most of the hardcore sports fans I've met suffer from apparent diminished brain capacity.

**BrewMaster** · 02-08-2005, 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by OC

I know, I was just having fun with that link. Still, most of the hardcore sports fans I've met suffer from apparent diminished brain capacity.

true. it is usually a temporary state, but some people take it too far. Raiders fans come to mind...

**Jane83** · 02-08-2005, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

I disagree OC. I know many very intelligent people who are also avid sports fans.

yes, but VERY FEW...
the majority is guys who want to paint their faces and run around and smash cars and drink the cheap beer.
yipeeeee

**molecularfire** · 02-08-2005, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by OC

I know, I was just having fun with that link. Still, most of the hardcore sports fans I've met suffer from apparent diminished brain capacity.

Most of the hardcore anything fans I've met suffer from diminished brain capacity.

**BrewMaster** · 02-09-2005, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by Jane83

and drink the cheap beer.

they should be arrested.

**nickel** · 02-09-2005, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

they should be arrested.

kinda extreme there aren't cha Brew?
there is no crime in being poor. what did you drink in college? top shelf?

**BrewMaster** · 02-09-2005, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by nickel

kinda extreme there aren't cha Brew?
there is no crime in being poor. what did you drink in college? top shelf?

drink better, drink less. that's my philosophy. yes, i drank mostly good beer in college. nothing "below" a Newcastle Brown Ale or Bass Pale Ale and those were on the rare occasions.

my thought is if people want to get drunk, just drink vodka or tequila or something. it's cheaper and faster. beer is too good to be used for such purposes.

BTW, I would regularly show up to parties with my own beer even if it was not BYOB. I would gladly share with others who were interested.

**nickel** · 02-09-2005, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by BrewMaster

drink better, drink less. that's my philosophy. yes, i drank mostly good beer in college. nothing "below" a Newcastle Brown Ale or Bass Pale Ale and those were on the rare occasions.

my thought is if people want to get drunk, just drink vodka or tequila or something. it's cheaper and faster. beer is too good to be used for such purposes.

BTW, I would regularly show up to parties with my own beer even if it was not BYOB. I would gladly share with others who were interested.

BeerSnob