Why do people care if their team wins in sports?

[quinnox]

Can someone explain this to me. Does it mean you feel better about yourself if your team wins? Like "Hooray, I live in blank city USA, and my team just won the championship! I must be a winner! Woo Hoo!"

Or is it even more juvenile - "HA HA! My team beat your team, you looooooooooooooosers!!"

Is this why a lot of team sports are so popular? They appeal to the lowest common denominator and are great for the masses?

Don't most people grow out of this phase eventually? Or is it really all about the playground and just on an adult level.

Sorry but it just seems so ignorant and childish to me, I used to be a sports fan when I was a teen-ager but then I grew out of it.

It kind of makes me cringe when I see how much coverage and domination that sports get in our culture. Its a sad sign that we as the human race have a lot of growing up to do, in my humble opinion.

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Maru Kitteh]

52. +1 :p

[The Straight Story]

2. You mean like if Obama wins or a progressive somewhere wins, even if not in our state?

You mean why do people care if those on 'our' side wins?

I don't know, I never understood the idea about caring.... :)

[uppityperson]

53. Are you seriously equating who is president with what team wins a sports game?

Tell me that you aren't equating everything an elected official can do to impact your life, the world, etc, with the outcome of a sporting event. Please.

[The Straight Story]

91. Let me explain it in more simple language for you

People choose sides on everything from political issues, to family, to sports.

It is as old as the human race. Do you think who wins a political battle in Butte, Montana has an effect on you if you live in Sacramento, CA? Probably not - but you would root for the dem there wouldn't you? Whether it be for Sheriff or dog catcher, you would root for 'our side'.

I will try to make things less political in analogies in the future as people seem to have such emotional to ties to their team when it comes to politics and sports :)

[Dream Girl]

3. Yep. pretty dumb, gives people some kind of meaning in their lives.

Bread and Circus.

[cali]

4. well goody for you.

I may not be a sports fan when it comes to team sports, but it gives people pleasure and I see nothing wrong with it.

you can now return to the weighty things that concern you, like your deep op on sarah palin's supposed hotness.

[Dream Girl]

13. What will change in your life is the Saints win? Colts?

Maybe a little $ if you have something riding on the game, otherwise, what difference does it make to you personally. Will you get a superbowl ring? Do you get a bonus? It's just a big fat distraction. Gives people something to zone out on, helps to numb them...kind of like alcohol.

[The Straight Story]

18. So we should not have fun just to have it? No emotions about anything?

Jeebus - I am going to guess you have never been a part of a team.

[Dream Girl]

30. Unless you have a personal stake, what difference does it make?

[The Straight Story]

39. Whydo things HAVE to make a DIFFERENCE? Jeebus, heard of FUN?

Damn, some on the left make me worry at times about how out of touch the party might be becoming....

Seriously? I just can't help some people....

[fishwax]

it'll provide memories to share with friends, families, and strangers -- what's wrong with that

[cali]

43. reading comprehension is really not your strong suit, I see.

Follow the bouncing ball, sweetie.

From the post you're responding to:

"I may not be a sports fan when it comes to team sports, but it gives people pleasure and I see nothing wrong with it."

I'm not even watching the game. I'm watching the beeb's production of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. I'm zoning out on that. Why? Because I'm a big fan of Gaskell's take on industrialization in the British North. It gives me pleasure. But frankly, that's none of your frackin' business, honeypie- anymore than it would be your business if I enjoyed watching the Superbowl. Got that? Good.

[cherokeeprogressive]

5. Win or lose, every team gets to come back to play another day.

When they lose, it's only a game that's lost. Not always so in the game of life.

It's escapism. Let those who DO have an interest in a sport or their home team do so without your humble judgment.

[Liquorice]

6. It's human nature to identify with a team and feel good when they win, especially for men. nt

[rfranklin]

14. I love your portrait!

It looks just like you.

[Xicano]

89. Exactly! (a.k.a. Tribalism).

and as far as I am concerned its a sure sign of an infantile character trait.

eom

[flvegan]

7. God, the irony in posting that on DU.

[Bicoastal]

20. +100!

Congrats, that was honestly the biggest laugh I've had all day. Good one!

[blondeatlast]

54. Hell, yes.

:wow:

[hlthe2b]

8. this from the same poster that had to thread on their lust for Palin?

Give me a break.... I'm generally a sports agnostic myself, but hypocrisy bugs me. :eyes:

[liberal N proud]

9. As someone who's team won a National Championship this year

Div II NCAA Football

Yes it is about bragging. But there is a high to know that you support the winner. It satisfies the competitive side of me at least.

We all like to associate with the number one in whatever we support. Politics or sports.

[Dream Girl]

17. It's like my friends who make a big deal about the Oscars or Grammys...

I always say unless you're in the entertainment industry, why do you care who wins?

[Codeine]

58. There's a certain satisfaction in following a loser team, though.

I guess being a Detroit Lions fan is the sports equivalent of voting Kucinich. :evilgrin:

I'm a Los Angeles Galaxy fan -- i know heartbreak!

[Wardoc]

10. Why do you care about characters in a story? (nt)

[DCBob]

11. I think its kind of a genetic thing, support the clan..

survival and that stuff.

[quinnox]

32. I think you are right

It makes sense, good answer.

[Berry Cool]

12. Oh please. It's just fun.

Or at least, it SHOULD be fun and shouldn't descend into some of the other crap it descends into.

Some people blow it out of proportion, yeah. But honestly, what is so horrible about supporting a sports team and wearing its colors and watching a game and caring about who wins?

Why is it that there's always some intellectual tightass who has to begrudge other people their right to do it if they want to...or, if unable to do that, at least try to make them feel stupid and immature and unevolved for doing so?

Are we on DU really such tightasses that all that's left for us to do is engage in intellectual pissing contests over who hates sports the most and who threw away their TV the greatest number of years ago? (No, wait...THE PEOPLE WHO NEVER, NEVER OWNED A TV IN THE FIRST PLACE WIN.)

I mean, really??

...Nah. Don't tell me. I think I know the answer.

[rfranklin]

22. It's only a few steps away from supporting war...

When young men march off to war they start out with the same bragadoccio that you see in sports fans. So that's what makes it interesting to analyze.

[fishwax]

38. lol -- yeah, it's almost the same thing

:eyes:

[The Straight Story]

40. So you are worried about the action and how it may cause other ones? Holy crap

Sure, same thing happens in war, but that does not mean the whole idea is bad.

[rfranklin]

42. Understanding human behavior is the object...

And I think that various South American countries have declared war over soccer games that went bad.

[The Straight Story]

45. It goes deeper, to family connections - like hatfields/McCoys if you will

People almost always pick sides, it's human nature. If you see someone fishing, you might hope they catch one while someone with peta might hope you don't.

We support that which we like.

[Common Sense Party]

86. You "think" that, huh? Do you have some historical proof or evidence?

Because that's one of the silliest things I've heard.

[Berry Cool]

88. Some people go overboard.

Some people have fought wars for other stupid reasons. So?

[Maru Kitteh]

90. I do hope you're prepared to back that statement up. Sans evidence it smacks of racism.

[ProfessorGAC]

108. Proof?

I didn't think so.

[onpatrol98]

51. What???

:rofl:

[proteus_lives]

73. Are you serious?

:eyes:

Then why aren't there a thousand wars a day?

[Berry Cool]

87. Oh, for CRYING OUT LOUD...

...does EVERYTHING that people choose to do competitively that involves physicality have to be regarded as "training for war"?

Because if you really look at it, you can call CHESS training for war.

Or learning to play the trumpet. Isn't learning to play the trumpet only a short step from learning to play the bugle...with which soldiers are called to war...

:eyes:

[PVnRT]

92. Wow. That was one of the stupidest posts ever.

Congratulations!

[AngryAmish]

95. THis is the best post I have seen in a long time

This post crystallizes, perfectly, everything you are about and everything you believe in.

Do not, ever change this. It is perfect. God I love DU.

[WindRiverMan]

97. IF you can equate playing a kids game to grabbing a rifle and going to a foreign land

You have obviously done neither. Playing a game in front of a crowd is NOTHING, NOTHING, NOTHING, like having someone dropping bombs around you. One is an amazing rush, the other makes urine drizzle down your leg. Meh, analyze... Why don't you go live a little, so you have some experience to actually draw upon before writing such drivel. As a person who has played sports and been in a war zone, you piss me off. You know nothing.

[Arkana]

106. So supporting a football team makes you a genocidal maniac?

Got it.

[ProfessorGAC]

107. Utterly Ridiculous

An analogy in search of a logical position.

[Iggo]

15. If you used to be a sports fan, then you know. (n/t)

[Bicoastal]

16. F.....U....

...N

Spells FUN.

A surprisingly difficult concept for many to grasp.

[caitxrawks]

31. hahahaha.

I love it.

[SoCalDem]

19. Human brains are hardwired to group together with "like-minded" types

and the "gladiators" who do "battle" in the stead of the ordinary folks, are worshiped..

That's probably why some people who are individualists and who avoid "grouping" , can tend to support the "underdog"..which is odd too , because by grouping together in support of the underdog, they have classified themselves into the very thing they sought to avoid:)

humans are complex creatures:)

[Mz Pip]

21. Team sports have been around forever

I doubt picking a side in a game is going to stop anytime soon.

Not everyone is an ass about it, though. Some people just enjoy watching a good game.

I can't identify with people who take it to some level of praying for their team to win, as though there really is some chance of Divine Intervention in a sporting event. That kind if thing seems pretty over the top but I don't see anything wrong with just being a fan.

Mz Pip

[Scurrilous]

23. It is fun. n/t

[fishwax]

24. because it's fun and it's an enjoyable experience to share with others

Not for you, apparently, and that's fine, but for plenty of other people it's fun to get involved in the drama of a game or of a season, and to share that experience with friends, family, and strangers or acquaintances with whom they otherwise might not have the chance to interact.

I get why some people don't like that, but I don't get why some people are so upset by it, other than simply needing to feel superior to someone.

[Texasgal]

25. How about not making such a huge deal

about it and allow other people have a fun pastime?

[blueamy66]

26. It all goes back to what makes people happy.

I think that adults that play video games all day are nuts.....but I love me a great football game.

Can't we respect eachother's activities? Jesus.

Find something more important to post about.

[The_Commonist]

27. It's a tribal thing...

We like to identify with a tribe.
And marketers are all too happy to prey upon our tribal instincts.
Us vs. Them sells a lot of potato chips.

[Kurt Remarque]

28. it's meant to be a distraction, silly

only morans take it that seriously

[MadBadger]

29. Ask that to the people of New Orleans n/t.

[Motown_Johnny]

33. Return on investment.

winning teams get more people to come and see them (as a rule). So the area businesses have more customers and the city collects more taxes.


Besides, it beats losing.

[quinnox]

34. Ah, the business side

Good point, I did not consider that aspect.

[The Straight Story]

35. Let me explain it more fully and simply:

You know people on a team, you support them in the game all year - maybe you used to play, maybe you like the dynamics of the game, etc.

You invest your self in being a fan, watched your friends from the time you were kids, saw them go to college, and then join a team in the NFL.

Personal investment emotionally whether it be direct (knowing someone, having played and being able to appreciate the sport), memories growing up with friends/family cheering for the hometown folks, etc and so on.

If there was a war between China and Taiwan and didn't involve you (you don't live over there) who would you be cheering to come out on top? What if you had family in one of those countries.

Reduce war down to sports and you can see a connection.

[WolverineDG]

36. Someone posted a thread earlier wondering why liberals were considered condescending

and here's proof. :eyes:

I'm rooting for NOLA because they've long been my sentimental favorites AND I would LOVE to see NOLA get something good to cheer about, after all the crap they've been through since Katrina.

Don't go out in the rain without an umbrella, you might drown.

dg

[surrealAmerican]

37. It's escapist entertainment that's also ...

... a symbolic way of settling rivalries between cities. Functioning societies need something to serve both those functions. It's also a big part of our shared conversation as Americans, and helps tie us together as a people.

[quinnox]

41. "helps tie us together as a people"

interesting observation. Thats insightful, I didn't think about that.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

44. The simple fact that they are on the same field together shows

that they are in fact equal and on any given day one might beat the other. Some people want their teams to win so they can collect dinero.

[howard112211]

46. I don't like sports but I like video games. Everyone needs some hobby.

People who claim they are above having hobbies are usually not being truthful. Maybe you don't care about sports but care about comic books. Just as "childish" IMO.

[hack89]

47. Are your hair shirts tailored or off the rack? nt

[blondeatlast]

57. Tailored hairshirts are arrogant. In fact, hairshirts are best second hand.

And you get my appreciation for the perfectest response in this thread.

:rofl:

[blogslut]

76. I sell bejewelled Cilices

http://www.etsy.com/shop/sharpwear

Just in case the OP prefers his/her penance-wear in metal. :hi:

[tabasco]

48. Because it's fun.

That's all it is - just for fun.

You must be pretty stupid to not be able to grasp that it's just a way to have fun.

[Codeine]

49. We already get it -- you're WAY superior to us.

Now do us a favor and go be superior elsewhere.

Fuck, I don't even like football and I find you utterly insufferable and self-important.

[Odin2005]

50. It's a GAME Geez.

:eyes:

[uppityperson]

55. Other than some people find it fun, I don't understand it either.

It doesn't seem worthwhile insulting people who do/don't care, but just some people find it fun and I don't know why.

I have heard it is a substitute for war. Let people get their "me vs you" agressions out in a mannered way with rules rather than going to war. I have also heard that it continues to promote "me vs you" in society and the world rather than cooperative behavior.

I have heard many things, many thoughts and ideas about it but don't really know. If someone is happy to watch, oh well. If someone prefers to do something else, so be it.

[Stevenmarc]

56. If your team wins then God likes you too.

Because we all know that God micromanages sport wins

[Art_from_Ark]

112. I used to believe that

when I was 8-9 years old.

[wuushew]

59. I believe many people are born with overpowering levels of vicariousness

much like how no appeal to reason will persuade those biologically wired for religious thought.

All my recreational activities are ones where I directly control the stimuli. For some this apparently is not necessary, nor is great differentiation in outcome necessary given that the basic rule set has played out countless thousands of games in the history of any given sports competition.

I have a theory that enjoyment of spectator entertainment is highly correlated to one's level of introversion/extroversion but have only anecdotal evidence to test my idea.

[blondeatlast]

62. And you're a real hoot at parties, I bet. nt

[wuushew]

63. what is your theory behind the psychology of sports entertainment?

my post was not in jest.

[blondeatlast]

65. My theory is that it's fun for some people. And my post WAS in jest.

And I'll add that I find amusement in the humorless.

Mea culpa.

[uppityperson]

67. Sarah! nt

[PVnRT]

93. You forgot to work in "vis a vis." It's just not quite pretensious enough

[RedCappedBandit]

60. Well, I never got it either

But I'm not going to say watching sports is more or less valid a pass time than other forms of entertainment.

I do think professional athletes are overpaid. But hey, apparently people are willing to pay the absurd prices to make that possible.

[LWolf]

61. The same reason they care when their political team wins. nt

[begin_within]

64. I agree with you.

Sports is just entertainment. I was at a birthday party a couple of years ago, the day after the San Diego Chargers lost a playoff game and were thus eliminated. Some people at the part were bemoaning it, and I made the comment to nobody in particular, "Oh well, it's just a game." Several people looked at me with shocked expressions and one said, "No it's not!!!" and some of the people wouldn't talk to me at all for the rest of the party. That's when I realized how seriously some people take it. They really get emotionally involved in it. And they do this knowing full well the outcome can go either way. I think it's silly to get that wrapped up in it, to the point where you're elated if they win or depressed if they lose. That's projecting way too much of yourself into it. It's just a game, and games are just entertainment.

[blondeatlast]

66. But it sure was fun to piss on their parade, huh? nt

[RedCappedBandit]

68. How so?

How is reminding somebody that "it's just a game" in an attempt to make them feel better after their team loses, in any way, pissing in their parade?

Sports are, in fact, just games.

[begin_within]

69. I actually thought I was helping them,

by trying to "put it in perspective" by reminding them it's just a game. I still don't get why people get emotionally involved in it. Sure it feels good if the team you root for wins, or feels bad if they lose, but that feeling goes away pretty quickly for me (i.e. leaving the stadium or turning off the TV) - then it's gone. And the thing is: they knew going into the game that there was the possiblity that the Chargers would lose. It's not like it was something that they never expected, like a car crash or something. Oh well, at least I have learned that some people do get deeply involved in it.

[hughee99]

103. I've found that telling people that things they care about don't matter

(regardless of whether they have any true impact on anything or not) doesn't make them feel better. In the case of sports, you can put the loss of a game in perspective (they had a good season, they're young, they gained experience, building-block for next year stuff...) and that may make them feel a little better, but telling them that sports in general doesn't matter anyway will just make them think you're a douchebag.

[tblue37]

70. People in this country transfer that attitude to politics, too. They don't care

about right or wrong or about what's good policy. They only care that their team wins and the opposing team loses.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

71. Let me guess. You got killed again in World of Warcraft.

[proteus_lives]

72. Debbie Downer alert!

My team lost and I'm still glad I watched the game.

Humans love sports and competition and we always will!

[petronius]

74. "Humble"? Yeah, you should probably look that one up...

:rofl:

[fishbulb703]

75. "Inclusive Fitness"

[niceypoo]

77. Sports make you cringe?

Do you play cards or chess or is that too childish also?

[Forkboy]

78. Go get laid, would you?

[tallahasseedem]

79. +1

LOL!

[Spider Jerusalem]

80. Tribalism. War by other means. Sublimated aggression.

[Forkboy]

82. Better than the real thing.

[ProfessorGAC]

110. Pompous, Unsubstantiated Nonsense.

GAC

[Mr Rabble]

81. Building irrational loyalty is the name.

[Jennicut]

83. It is all for fun for me. I saw the Patriots win 3 Superbowls and it was great.

But when they don't make it out of the playoffs I don't want to kill myself or anything. I also got to see Uconn win their first basketball championship for the men and the women. And of course, my husband loved seeing the Red Sox beat the Yanks and then win the world series(we were on opposite sides that year). Don't bet on the games and don't take them too seriously is always my motto.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

84. tribal identity. Belonging to a group with distinct colors.

I don't understand why a person would base their emotional state on an event that they have no control over (their team winning or losing). DUMB DUMB DUMB.

[adoraz]

85. WTF?

are you serious?

well if you want a real answers, from my perspective anyways...



When I was little, as crazy as this sounds, I actually liked baseball. I enjoyed watching it. I enjoyed playing it. My friends enjoyed it as well.

I followed a team, and eventually I was able to (playfully) argue with my friends and cousins (all live in NY- Yankees and Mets fans) over it. I was a really shy kid, so it got me to open up about something I really liked and got the conversations going.

Then I moved to a new city, but I continued following my old team. This made my team even more special, as I was the only one there supporting them (out of my group of friends, anyways). Again, I was able to socialize with people about the game and it was a good way to meet people and get the conversation going.

Today, when I think about my team, I have a lot of nostalgic memories. I still love watching the sport, even when my team isn't playing.

[raccoon]

94. What really bugs me is this mindset carries over to the political arena.

"My candidate won, nanny, nanny, poo poo!"

In fact the Democratic/Republican thing is VERY like a sports team thing, for many people.

[4dsc]

96. They need a testosterone boost..

At least for the men..

[The2ndWheel]

98. HA HA! I'm more adult than you are, you loooooooooooosers!

[1gobluedem]

99. Why was a thread dumping on sports fans moved to the Sports Forum?

Geeze. This forum is for sports fans and this thread is moved here? We care because we care, all right? Nobody is asking you to care but you have to weigh in anyway about why no one should. News flash: we care, we will continue to care; you don't have to but we don't care about hearing about why you don't.

[TZ]

100. Oh YAY another shit on something I don't like or understand post!!

Three cheers for elitist snobbery!! :eyes:

[PVnRT]

101. HA HA This is in the Sports forum now

:popcorn:

[CBR]

102. You have a serious problem. nt

[ProfessorGAC]

104. Then Never Visit The Sports Forum

Go pee in someone else's cereal.
GAC

[MadBadger]

114. Technically he shat on us all in GD and it was moved here.

[ProfessorGAC]

115. Thanks

I found that at later as i was reading. My sentiment doesn't change though.
GAC

[Arkana]

105. Oh for the love of God get over yourself.

You and the rest of the anti-football people are the most tiresome, snotty, elitist jackasses I've ever met.

[ProfessorGAC]

109. It's Not Just Football

That's the problem. They have decided that only plebes dig sports, so they just can't wait to condescend. It's boring, isn't it?
GAC

[Arkana]

111. I always wondered what Rushie the Fat was talking about

when he referred to "elitist ivory-tower liberals".

Now I know. Apparently they exist, even if not in the numbers OxyRush likes to think.

[Awsi Dooger]

113. They don't need to win

Covering is okay