Sports - What's your story? Why Are You A Sports Fan?

**ROCKSTAR** · 10-01-2004, 11:02 PM

I'm a Sports fan because it's real. If I want scripted drama, I watch a movie. I'm a Sports fan because without it, my life would be incomplete. I need to cheer for my team in order to feel alive, I need to cry with them when they lose and wave their flag when they win -- as pathetic as it may sound.

I've always been a Sports fan, always. When I was a little girl I lived for ice skating (oh, shut up

), gymnastics, and volleyball. Then came the MJ years... I remeber practically living for those Chicago games and crying everytime MJ said bye, hell, I'm still crying.

Now, I'm only 20 (21 in two weeks) and I know I have missed lots of great moments but I look forward to future ones I can treasure.

The Yankees. I have always rooted for the Yankees -- even though I couldn't stand watching baseball. Yeah... I know. But my brother, born and raised between Manhattan and New York, my mother who lived in NY many years and my whole family who still hop from Puerto Rico to New York, well they are Yankee fans (some Mets fan of course, but anyway...)

I was born a Yankees fan and after MJ retired and I had to seek a new home, baseball became it and now every Sport takes a backseat to baseball in my life. I remember the Yanks return to victory again in 1996 and me being so happy. But now that I actually watch the games I know it's not the same. I'm a different kind of fan. I was a "default" Yankee fan because they were the team from the Bronx. Not anymore.

That's how and why I'm a fan. My story of why I root for the Packers is an odd one so I'll leave it out cause they're playing the Giants next and I'm torn about that.

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What about you?

The Daywalker · 10-01-2004, 11:17 PM

Being from NY, it's either Mets or Yankees, no inbetween, so i like both, nope, both sides will hate you if you do. And well, i started to play little league and the team i played on was called the Mets. There you have it.

Nothing gets me going like sports and sports figured. Easily the best form of motivation. Before important or nervous things, i go into Ray Lewis mode as i like to call it. I just get pumped up, start screaming and just know that whatevr i'm about to do, i'm gonna kick ass at it. "it's a cane thing, you wouldn't understand" That quote so rings true with me, cuz it's not about showboating for hte sake of it, it's letting everyone know, you are the best. And you better bring your A game, cuz that is the only way you can beat me/us. And even then, probably not good enough. It's knowing you will succeed, it's working hard and getting results. It's about making others around you better and letting them know they are the best at what they are doing. And everyone knowing it. Sports does that for me, I can become a fan of a little dominican pitcher in the Dodgers bullpen,.... and years later see him win another cy young award, one of the most feared and hated pitchers in the game, cuz he is the best. Nothing to Hero. One pitch, one play, one basket, one game. All it takes.

Avatar · 10-02-2004, 07:06 AM

I remember reading a good explaination of why in relation to the Jake Porter story. From here: "In a world plagued with horrible tragedies of war, poverty, hatred, discrimination and terrorism, the list of terrible human acts extends far beyond our comfort zones and often our imaginations.

The sports news is different. Sports create a bond between people who have never met. They take us away from our troubles and even if for just a little while, put us at peace, that is so long as our teams don't lose I suppose. Sports are memories, our childhood, the conversation I have with a cabbie or a stranger on an airplane.

Most importantly, sports, like life, can show us how we can accomplish feats that many tell us will never occur."

**NikNak** · 10-02-2004, 03:33 PM

Good topic, Nikki.

Ever since I was a little girl, I always loved watching sports and talking about them. I used to play touch football with my father and cousins in my grandmother's front yard all the time! It was so much fun. My mom used to say that my love for sports was crazy, especially for a girl! But, it was definitely always an enjoyment for me, and actually, bonding time for my father and I, since my mom was never really into them, although she liked watching the Yankees back in the day, when Reggie Jackson and Dave Winfield played on that team.

Now, how did I became a Michael Jordan fan? Oh, simple. He's the man, and just the greatest NBA basketball player EVER. I don't care that I'm 30, I can say that and always will believe it.

Syracuse Orangemen... I was going to go to that school but ended up not going to college at all, but I still followed the team and just stuck with it. San Francisco 49ers... my love for them comes from Steve Young being my favorite NFL quarterback, and #80, Jerry Rice. He is the shiz-nit! Age can suck it. I have watched him for years! I still love SF, even if he isn't there anymore, but I will always want Jerry to succeed, no matter where he plays.

(I live in New Jersey, and as you can see, I am an anti-homer, LOL.)

Honestly, I just love talking about different sports' teams, their players, trades, statistics, etc. Trash talking? Just the best! Hee. It is really a pleasure proving stereotypical men wrong, who think that us women don't know what we're talking about. Bwah!

The other two sports I love are tennis (to play/watch) and bowling (to play only).

Quote:

Originally posted by ROCKSTAR
Then came the MJ years... I remeber practically living for those Chicago games and crying everytime MJ said bye, hell, I'm still crying.

You got that right.

Shaolin · 10-02-2004, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Avatar
Sports create a bond between people who have never met. They take us away from our troubles and even if for just a little while, put us at peace, that is so long as our teams don't lose I suppose.

I couldn't have said it better myself. I just love how sports can bring together people regardless of their race, religion, political views, or social status. It's just all about the love of the game. There's nothing else in the world like it. Sports can take you from the ultimate high one minute and to the depths of despair the next. I know every baseball fan in Canada can recall where they were when Joe Carter hit his game-winning homerun to win the '93 World Series. And I can still see the shot of Vince Carter missing his three-pointer (clunk!) against Philly that would have sent Toronto to the Eastern Conference finals. And it's those highs and lows that make sports so memorable.

Chi159 · 10-09-2004, 05:09 AM

Why am I a sports fan? Good question!

Considering that no one in my immediate family is all that interested in sports, it’s quite unique that I have such a strong passion for it. I guess it stems back to my competitive nature and desire to have some type of release/escape in life. Like others have mentioned, sports is one of the few things in life (maybe the only) that brings people together regardless of race, age, sex, religion or personal beliefs. It’s really a special bond. Whether you are a fan or player, you are part of a “club” that works toward a common goal. In the process, you develop important skills that will guide you throughout life and develop important friendships from the teamwork and camaraderie associated with sports.

I’ve always been athletically inclined, so participating in sports was a natural extension. Plus, the influence of my grandfather who briefly played for the St. Louis Cardinals (quite ironic, considering that I’m a HUGE Cubs fan) and his love for sports definitely rubbed off on me. The highs and lows of competition, development of skills through hard work, and the immediate results you receive from that dedication were all draws for me.

It’s hard to explain. If you’re a sports nut, then you know what I mean.

i heart giles · 10-13-2004, 01:52 AM

im a sports fan simply cuz i grew up watching sports. my grandma is one of the biggest braves fans i know and my dad loves him some tenn football. so like a lot of sports fans, im a sports fan cuz my family raised me on em. i continue to watch sports now cuz it brings people together and its EXCITING! ive made a lot of friends through liking baseball. its really awesome and i love the excitement of not knowing whats gonna happen next. its fun following teams.

Jordan23 · 10-13-2004, 02:09 PM

Great topic.

When I was younger I wasn't interested in sports yet I'd always do the "tomboy things". That was until my brother introduced me to basketball and Michael Jordan at the age of 10, I was completely hooked! To start off my brother and I are super close so we got even closer after that, he taught me everything I know about b-ball and MJ. And I was also eager to learn all of it too which led to the beginning of my collection of MJ memorabilia. (that still growing today

) Now I'm 24 years old and still a fan of MJ/b-ball like I was since the first day. I remember my mom saying I was going thru a faze when I started to like both. I still laugh at that comment cause that "faze" has lasted 14 years and still going strong.

The game was just so appealing and left me in awe and amazement especially after watching MJ play and knew that was just the beginning of what was to come. And ever since I've been along for the ride and a great one it sure has been. Which is another reason why I aabsolutely love MJ, when I think of him I see my brother and vice versa. Both mean a great deal to me and have played a important role in my life.

Like Chris said, "nothing gets me going like sports" I love to trash talk especially when it involved MJ and all the haters...they could talk all they wanted to but the ending was always the same. MJ on top and the haters all quiet.

Quote:

originally posted by NikNak:

Now, how did I became a Michael Jordan fan? Oh, simple. He's the man, and just the greatest NBA basketball player EVER. I don't care that I'm 30, I can say that and always will believe it.

twin, ITA too...of course!

Quote:

originally posted by ROCKSTAR:

Then came the MJ years... I remeber practically living for those Chicago games and crying everytime MJ said bye, hell, I'm still crying.

I hear ya.

Quote:

Originally posted by Avatar:

Sports create a bond between people who have never met. They take us away from our troubles and even if for just a little while, put us at peace, that is so long as our teams don't lose I suppose.

ITA with that and very well said. Can't say enough how many great people I've met b/c of the sport and the same passion for the game or player like me.

Quote:

originally posted by Chi159:

It’s hard to explain. If you’re a sports nut, then you know what I mean.

We know what you mean.