sports culture: why it’s deeper than just a game
It can be agreed upon that sports have turned into a sort of religion in the United States. For many, there is much more behind sports than just playing and watching the game itself. The fan bases and traditions behind each sports team and players make a significant difference in sports culture. Oftentimes people only remember the violent or extreme actions within fan culture; they often overlook the positive aspects of sports such as the impact fans have on athletics. In general, people’s love and loyalty towards various teams and athletes play a large role in how appreciated and relevant sports are today.
Sports fans sometimes take their fandom to very extreme levels, but they can also keep it very subtle. To some, being a fan could just mean supporting the team or wearing the players’ jerseys during games. Some become super fans and form obsessions with their teams to the point where their wins and losses influence their moods. Especially with the increase in sports broadcasting and media coverage, sports fans have become more and more prominent in modern society. Samo student Sebastian Madero (’27) discusses both the ups and downs of being an avid FC Barcelona fan.
“It's pretty sad to be a Barça fan right now because you see the team that used to win every game week in and week out, and then you look at the current team who can't even beat a relegation team, and who’s conceding 30 goals in 20 games,” Madero said. “It’s honestly depressing seeing the team that was once the best in the world being in such poor form.”
The reason for fandom is quite simple: the feeling or sense of belonging. Identifying with a team can allow their success to feel like your own success and losses to feel like your own. This is how Madero feels as FC Barcelona continues to lose against teams that have moved to an inferior league. As soon as that team becomes a part of a fan’s personality, it leads to emotional attachment. For most people, their choice of team usually depends on where they live or grew up, and the traditions that get passed down through generations. These types of fans are known as “ride-or-die” sports fans, meaning that no matter what they will always support their team. On the other end, a “bandwagon” sports fan is someone who supports a team despite their record or success.
For college football, their traditions are especially well known. This is because college football teams often represent a state or city, so fans who grew up there feel pride when their team is successful. Their rivalries also bring people together and build school spirit. Whether it’s the Penn State whiteout game, the FSU war chant, or the USC and UCLA rivalry, all these traditions contribute to the overall community atmosphere of college football.
Sometimes, however, fans can take their support to extreme levels. A person’s emotional attachment to a certain team can become so intense that a single loss could cause them to get aggressive, feel depressed, or even suicidal. Additionally, some sports fans tend to get violent with rival sports fans, some have even been detained or arrested for their actions.
From chanting fans to painted faces, the entertainment brought by fans for their favorite teams builds excitement and anticipation for whatever is on the field. Fans' everlasting support and enthusiasm for teams around the world have positively contributed to the overall sports experience.
