Locally there is already a lot of lamenting and sadness over the Chicago Cubs being eliminated from the playoffs. My primary emotion is: who cares? I've never been a big sports fan, and have never really understood the attachment a fan feels for a bunch of highly paid professionals whose loyalty to the city that hosts them is about as thin as the contract that they sign. Team owners are millionaires that often con the local taxpayers into funding stadiums that primarily put more bucks in the owner's pockets. Yet for so many people, rooting for their "home" team seems to be a major part of their lives. I feel the same way about fans of college teams. Two of my kids went to the Univ. of Texas in Austin, and when I asked them if ever in their years there as a student did they personally know of even one player on the varsity teams of the major sports at that school, the answer was "no". Yet they are big "fans" of UT sports teams, even many, many years after leaving that school. And I have two other children who attended the Univ. of Wisconsin at Madison who give me the exact same answers and are also at least moderately obsessed UW sports fans. I just don't get it, but maybe that's just me. I served 24 years in the Army, and was actually stationed at West Point for four years, but I don't find any particular concern or affinity for the sports teams what wear the Army name on their uniforms. If I were player, or if a relative, friend or even an acquaintance was an actual player on the team I might feel different.
I just don't get being a "fan"
- Thread starter vito
- Start date
Ka6otm
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Dec 21, 2002
- Messages
- 753
I'm with you. I don't watch sports of any kind and never have. I also don't want to pay for other people to watch, but I'm stuck as they tax me to pay for stadiums and such.
I know they talk about how the stadium will financially help the community, but I don't personally buy that. I think it's a loser with absolutely no reasonable return on investment.
I know they talk about how the stadium will financially help the community, but I don't personally buy that. I think it's a loser with absolutely no reasonable return on investment.
Pat-inCO
Hawkeye
From the dictionary, we find . . .
subterfuge
1. an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule, escape a consequence,
hide something, etc.
When we are sold the bill-of-goods about subsidizing the construction
and or repair of the stadium, we are told that it will provide JOBS.
It sure does; for the construction, maintenance, and operation of said
stadium. It then becomes a money sink (think heat sink) in perpetuity.
WE, as the tax payers, are then saddled with paying the operational
costs of the stadium, all the while providing the team owners with a
tax reduction, to "keep them in town".
In simplest terms: A ploy of the Democrats to get the tax payer to
subsidize their own entertainment, used by the tax payer or not. This,
in addition to the ticket costs that are going to pay (via subsidy) the
salaries of those grossly overpaid, whining, entitled, brats.
Golly-Gee-Whiz Phred . . . A democrat's utopia. A ploy to get people to
pay for their entertainment, at THREE times what it costs.
(or is it FIVE times the cost?)
subterfuge
1. an artifice or expedient used to evade a rule, escape a consequence,
hide something, etc.
When we are sold the bill-of-goods about subsidizing the construction
and or repair of the stadium, we are told that it will provide JOBS.
It sure does; for the construction, maintenance, and operation of said
stadium. It then becomes a money sink (think heat sink) in perpetuity.
WE, as the tax payers, are then saddled with paying the operational
costs of the stadium, all the while providing the team owners with a
tax reduction, to "keep them in town".
In simplest terms: A ploy of the Democrats to get the tax payer to
subsidize their own entertainment, used by the tax payer or not. This,
in addition to the ticket costs that are going to pay (via subsidy) the
salaries of those grossly overpaid, whining, entitled, brats.
Golly-Gee-Whiz Phred . . . A democrat's utopia. A ploy to get people to
pay for their entertainment, at THREE times what it costs.
(or is it FIVE times the cost?)
Bull Barrel
Hunter
- Joined
- Feb 22, 2008
- Messages
- 3,279
- City & State/Province
- The Liberal held left bank of the Mississippi Rive
It really sucks here. Taxpayer funded stadium tha now sits completely empty (it was mostly empty during football games) because the team moved back to L. A.
contender
Ruger Guru
I agree with the OP. I just do not understand it.
I went to high school, and yet, I've never been to any reunions. Why? Because very few of the folks I hung out with in school are still friends. And we have real lives to live.
I also attended college.
I went to LEARN,,, not to become a sports fan. As noted,,, I didn't know any team members, nor did they associate with the "common" folks.
And I agree that the attitude many seen to have towards a sports team goes well beyond understanding. They call them "my team" or relate to them in various personal ways. Yet,,, most do not know any pro team members. Personally, I had a pro football player who married into my family. I still didn't treat him any different than anybody else. And once, when I was in the VA hospital,,, he came around on a holiday to meet & greet patients. When he saw me,,, he sat & we spoke a little. I told him to not spend time with me,,, but to go visit others,,, as we could visit other times.
And I never watched him play a game.
But,,, if the people who enjoy sports feel that's their passion, i can fully accept them. Many do not understand my passion for the shooting sports, or hunting, or such. The main difference is I'm a participant,,, not a spectator. But to each his own. I choose to not support sport teams if at all possible. My choice. But I too agree with the OP. I just don't understand them.
I went to high school, and yet, I've never been to any reunions. Why? Because very few of the folks I hung out with in school are still friends. And we have real lives to live.
I also attended college.
I went to LEARN,,, not to become a sports fan. As noted,,, I didn't know any team members, nor did they associate with the "common" folks.
And I agree that the attitude many seen to have towards a sports team goes well beyond understanding. They call them "my team" or relate to them in various personal ways. Yet,,, most do not know any pro team members. Personally, I had a pro football player who married into my family. I still didn't treat him any different than anybody else. And once, when I was in the VA hospital,,, he came around on a holiday to meet & greet patients. When he saw me,,, he sat & we spoke a little. I told him to not spend time with me,,, but to go visit others,,, as we could visit other times.
And I never watched him play a game.
But,,, if the people who enjoy sports feel that's their passion, i can fully accept them. Many do not understand my passion for the shooting sports, or hunting, or such. The main difference is I'm a participant,,, not a spectator. But to each his own. I choose to not support sport teams if at all possible. My choice. But I too agree with the OP. I just don't understand them.
Jimbo357mag
Hawkeye
I am a casual fan of almost every sport on earth, everything from NASCAR to Curling. A sporting lifestyle is a healthy lifestyle. Sadly I participate in few sports now but I do enjoy watching many.
Contender nailed it as far as I'm concerned.
Jeff
Jeff
"fan" is short for "fanatic"
caryc
Hawkeye
I agree with the OP. I have an odd TV. It refuses to do sports. In other words, I couldn't care less.
I'm going to base my daily life and attitude or moods on whether a bunch of over paid prima donas win or lose some stupid game? I don't think so.
I'm going to base my daily life and attitude or moods on whether a bunch of over paid prima donas win or lose some stupid game? I don't think so.
CraigC
Hawkeye
I don't get it either and personally think it's just a ploy to sell more beer.
Yeah but most college sports fans never even went to college, let alone the particular school of which they call themselves a fan.contender said:
I take most sports as casual entertainment, nothing more. We have friends with similar thoughts on the matter and use the occasional broadcast as an excuse for a small get-together and dinner, usually involving adult beverages . . . in moderation, of course.
Some of us like the games involving relatively large spherical objects while some appreciate the smaller versions. I personally watch those using a mis-shapen, elongated, pointy-ended thingy. I'll admit that women's tennis has a certain appeal.
Some of us like the games involving relatively large spherical objects while some appreciate the smaller versions. I personally watch those using a mis-shapen, elongated, pointy-ended thingy. I'll admit that women's tennis has a certain appeal.
gasbag
Blackhawk
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2011
- Messages
- 783
My feelings have been that those fans that "just can't miss a game" or go to the game all painted up
and acting like some cocaine freakazoid would not have a life if they stopped that behavior.
Everything in moderation. Going to a game--that would be nice. Staying home with the family--
that would be nice too.
I have never understood the rabid attitude of some of the folks that watch sports except for
the fact they are obviously trying to live their life through the actions of others; their "heroes".
I love sports. I love to play them. The best memories I have are watching our two sons growing up
and playing in the football, soccer and baseball leagues when they were young.
Anything above maybe grade school is ruined by a "win at all costs" attitude and making heroes
out of the players.
It's easy to spot a pro football player in a crowd. He's the one you can't understand when he speaks
and has his parole officer standing behind him.
Don't get me started on baseball. The last game I went to I fell into a coma.
Soccer? 90 minutes of playing and the odds are you get a tie. Oh boy.
Women's golf? Hey.......nice scenery, tranquil setting, amazing skills, short skirts.......
be right back folks...........
Sorry, my mind wandered there for a moment.
and acting like some cocaine freakazoid would not have a life if they stopped that behavior.
Everything in moderation. Going to a game--that would be nice. Staying home with the family--
that would be nice too.
I have never understood the rabid attitude of some of the folks that watch sports except for
the fact they are obviously trying to live their life through the actions of others; their "heroes".
I love sports. I love to play them. The best memories I have are watching our two sons growing up
and playing in the football, soccer and baseball leagues when they were young.
Anything above maybe grade school is ruined by a "win at all costs" attitude and making heroes
out of the players.
It's easy to spot a pro football player in a crowd. He's the one you can't understand when he speaks
and has his parole officer standing behind him.
Don't get me started on baseball. The last game I went to I fell into a coma.
Soccer? 90 minutes of playing and the odds are you get a tie. Oh boy.
Women's golf? Hey.......nice scenery, tranquil setting, amazing skills, short skirts.......
be right back folks...........
Sorry, my mind wandered there for a moment.
pete44ru
Hunter
Jimbo357mag said:
Yep.
What I don't get is those boo-birds who never seem to have any fun in their lives.
For non-professionals, sports are a way to relax and/or exercise - relieving one from the daily grind.
Sports are sports are sports, beit pro ball or hunting/shooting - all for one/one for all ! . :mrgreen:
.
daveg.inkc
Hunter
Yes, St.Louis was treated terrible by owner. And he is from Columbia, MO. 2 hours West on I-70.Bull Barrel said:
Pat-inCO
Hawkeye
If anyone is still not sure . . .
I went to ONE pro football game . . . but only as a communications
person for the medical team. We were located at about mid level, half
way around in the horse shoe. When there was a lull in drunks (most
of what we saw) I would go out into the corridor to try and see what
was going on.
There were a bunch of ants with bright colored shirts running around in
the middle of a patch of green, and a bunch of staggering drunks in the
corridors. I went to use the "little boy's room" and the line was more than
twenty-five or fifty waiting to get in to the room.
There were some women there that I'll save you the boredom of a full
description, but they gave you the impression they were paid by the hour
to be there.
OH! Did I mention the number of drunks that were there? Literally
thousands, and I'll bet you can guess what that was like.
My conclusion: Many of those that go to the game are there to get drunk
so their wives don't kill them for doing at home, what they do at the
game. - - - - - Humm, I wonder if THAT is why the games continue?
P.S. I UNvolunteered from that task from then on.
I went to ONE pro football game . . . but only as a communications
person for the medical team. We were located at about mid level, half
way around in the horse shoe. When there was a lull in drunks (most
of what we saw) I would go out into the corridor to try and see what
was going on.
There were a bunch of ants with bright colored shirts running around in
the middle of a patch of green, and a bunch of staggering drunks in the
corridors. I went to use the "little boy's room" and the line was more than
twenty-five or fifty waiting to get in to the room.
There were some women there that I'll save you the boredom of a full
description, but they gave you the impression they were paid by the hour
to be there.
OH! Did I mention the number of drunks that were there? Literally
thousands, and I'll bet you can guess what that was like.
My conclusion: Many of those that go to the game are there to get drunk
so their wives don't kill them for doing at home, what they do at the
game. - - - - - Humm, I wonder if THAT is why the games continue?
P.S. I UNvolunteered from that task from then on.
Many children like sports. No comment on sports figures as role models. But for some parents, watching sports is a way to connect with their kids. We had this discussion at school within the “dad’s club.” I agree with the OP by the way as do some of the other dad’s at school. BUT! I’m sure some of you have watched the evening news, it isn’t kid friendly at all. Murder and everything bad. Sports on the other hand can be family friendly television. And like I said, a way to connect with kids.
One thing i simply despise, at the university level, the sports programs have more money than the science or English, or History, or (fill in the blank) programs. It’s placing the emphasis on the wrong ideals at college.
One thing i simply despise, at the university level, the sports programs have more money than the science or English, or History, or (fill in the blank) programs. It’s placing the emphasis on the wrong ideals at college.
Sorry, but I completely understand sports fans. They, like most any other people, have a keen interest for their particular sport(s). It's no different than one's interest in music or art or reading good books. I can't play an instrument nor can I sing, but I have probably 2000+ CDs. I dabble at painting but you'll never see my works in a gallery or museum. While I like to think that I can write I have nothing published. But still I listen to music, i visit art galleries and museums, I read voraciously.
Many fans did play sports at different levels during their lives. Most as children, many as older weekend warriors. Their fondness - or passion, if you prefer - for sports is as natural as anyone's passion for airplanes, guns, civil war history, space exploration, politics, economics; you name it. While they are not actually playing the game, they are participating by cheering, wearing the team's colors, keeping track of stats, good naturedly razzing the fans of opposing teams, and enjoying the diversion that any other passtime, hobby and pursuit provides to others with different tastes.
How many of us eagerly await the new release of our favorite author, musician, singer, gun manufacturer, artist? How many of us eat up every little tidbit of new data discovered about the pyramids, ancient China, the universe, Custer's last stand? We all have our hobbies, our diversions, our passions. While sports may seem inconsequential and frivolous to some, so do, quite possibly, the passions of others. As for wearing costumes, painting their faces, attending before-game rallies etc. how different is that from dressing up for civil war re-enactments, as an example.
Hey, you don't care for sports? Fine. Nobody is insisting that you must, or even that you should understand why others do. Rest assured that there are an equal number of folks who don'rdon'tdon't don't much care about your passions or understand your passions. That's simply human nature. What a bland and boring world this would be if we all agreed on everything.
Let 'em be. At least they are involved to some extent with their provenance with a degree of civic pride. Is that a bad thing?
Many fans did play sports at different levels during their lives. Most as children, many as older weekend warriors. Their fondness - or passion, if you prefer - for sports is as natural as anyone's passion for airplanes, guns, civil war history, space exploration, politics, economics; you name it. While they are not actually playing the game, they are participating by cheering, wearing the team's colors, keeping track of stats, good naturedly razzing the fans of opposing teams, and enjoying the diversion that any other passtime, hobby and pursuit provides to others with different tastes.
How many of us eagerly await the new release of our favorite author, musician, singer, gun manufacturer, artist? How many of us eat up every little tidbit of new data discovered about the pyramids, ancient China, the universe, Custer's last stand? We all have our hobbies, our diversions, our passions. While sports may seem inconsequential and frivolous to some, so do, quite possibly, the passions of others. As for wearing costumes, painting their faces, attending before-game rallies etc. how different is that from dressing up for civil war re-enactments, as an example.
Hey, you don't care for sports? Fine. Nobody is insisting that you must, or even that you should understand why others do. Rest assured that there are an equal number of folks who don'rdon'tdon't don't much care about your passions or understand your passions. That's simply human nature. What a bland and boring world this would be if we all agreed on everything.
Let 'em be. At least they are involved to some extent with their provenance with a degree of civic pride. Is that a bad thing?
Kevin, for many universities the sports programs generate huge amounts of revenue that benefits the university and its student body, not just the athletic department. Science, English, history, math et al do not, at least not nearly as much as sports does. There is no reason that sports and academics cannot coexist together for the overall benefit of the school. Just my opinion.Kevin said:
Colonialgirl
Hawkeye
Well;
I DID go to my 50th High School class reunion as I was looking forward to seeing some of the people I had gotten to know over the years. I did see three or four and had some good conversations with them; That and it gave me a chance to look over the town I had adopted as my "home town" It had changed some but was still the place where I went to high school. Football players??? Don't even know or care whoever they were.
I DID go to my 50th High School class reunion as I was looking forward to seeing some of the people I had gotten to know over the years. I did see three or four and had some good conversations with them; That and it gave me a chance to look over the town I had adopted as my "home town" It had changed some but was still the place where I went to high school. Football players??? Don't even know or care whoever they were.
I guess I fall in the minority here. I am a fan of college football and college basketball. I do enjoy playoff baseball as well. Grew up playing sports and still enjoy watching them and playing (somehow Im not quite as fast) them in my free time.
Now, would I get painted up and go watch a football game in subzero weather? NO. But it is fun to watch those guys that do stuff like that. A lot of times the crowd is darned entertaining as well as the game.
Now, would I get painted up and go watch a football game in subzero weather? NO. But it is fun to watch those guys that do stuff like that. A lot of times the crowd is darned entertaining as well as the game.
Colonel Daddy
Buckeye
I'm with you Vito! If I am not participating, then it's not my sport. Why sit around watching someone else do what they like while they are making big bucks? Better to be doing something 'productive' that I like doing!
wolfsong said:
I think Wolfsong did a great summary.
I enjoyed playing sports as a young man. I wasn't talented enough to make even my high school teams, but I played a lot of intramural sports. All of the fun without the pressure. I went to a lot of my high school and college sports games. I loved the excitement and competition. The joy of watching your friends on the field. Pep rallies, homecoming bonfires, hanging out with your friends or girlfriends. Grabbing a late night bite to eat with a hundred classmates. What is not to like? It is a great way to socialize.
You really don't want to know my golf scores. I liked to watch Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino decades ago.
I am envious of Olympic biathlon competitors and skiers, although I have never touched a ski in my life. Many Olympic events are enjoyable for me.
I will honestly admit that I have lost interest in most professional sports. Like many, I just don't have a personal connection to the way pro teams are these days. Teams and owners bounce around looking for the best deal that cities can give them. Many don't have loyalty to their fans, why should fans support them? Too much money involved all the way around. Too many characters displaying very poor behavior off the field.
Even so, it gives you something to talk about with coworkers or customers. Beats politics.
gunman42782
Hunter
I could care less about sports.
GP100
Buckeye
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2010
- Messages
- 1,136
wolfsong said:
I just had to quote this, because it's excellent commentary.. I myself, am not a sports fan in any, shape, or form.. And couldn't even tell you who any of the players are if I met them.. I enjoy fine art.. I would rather stroll through an art museum and look at great work like the Mona Lisa by Da Vinci. Or The Last Supper..
However, everybody has their own thing in life they enjoy.. For some, it's art.. For others, it's football or whatever sport they love.. Nothing wrong with that..
Some people think I'm boring because I love art, and not sports.. To each his own..
Daveboone
Single-Sixer
What I don't understand is the time people put into doing....nothing. I have some close friends who organize their entire life around certain sports: watching on TV, mainly. Then they complain how they cant get anything done. I love going to a baseball game (usually the local Syracuse Chiefs) several times a year if I can, but otherwise cant keep up with how they are doing.
I could give a hoot about watching pro racing ....round and round and round.........
but when my brother in law was racing dirt cars, I could thoroughly enjoy watching him participate.
Maybe my life is just so full, that I cant consider taking up such large blocks of time ( a football game on TV seems to be a near all day event these days) not doing anything.
I could give a hoot about watching pro racing ....round and round and round.........
but when my brother in law was racing dirt cars, I could thoroughly enjoy watching him participate.
Maybe my life is just so full, that I cant consider taking up such large blocks of time ( a football game on TV seems to be a near all day event these days) not doing anything.
CraigC
Hawkeye
It can be, if one examines the lives of many professional football and basketball players. Thugs now making millions of dollars for playing a sport. Spoiled brats with an over-inflated sense of self-importance, who are also drug dealers, pimps, gang-bangers, dog fighters, alcoholics and generally undesirable douchebags who have no respect for the only country in the world in which they could do what they do. Seems to me all those billions of dollars going into mindless entertainment might be better spent invested in our collective future.wolfsong said:
Not that I never understood it. I used to be a sports fan but the players ruined it for me.
Bkat
Blackhawk
wolfsong said:
What a great, articulate post. My interest in sports over the years, especially college football, have never interfered with my acquiring other cultural and non-sports pursuits. I played football all through junior high and high school in a football-crazy city, but as a journeyman and never remotely close to being a star. I was a "walk on" for spring training as a college freshman and over a couple of weeks had it drummed into me (literally) the vast difference between high school and college football and that I was too small and too slow to make it in college ball. But I learned a lot about the subtleties of college football. As a result of those experiences, there's nothing I enjoy more than a good college game, which I watch not so much as a "fan" but as an entertainment and to see the strategic aspects of the game.
But my sports interests coexist with guns, shooting, art, literature, history and current events. As Wolfsong writes, one passion doesn't compromise others.
bobski
Hunter
(fan)atic's root no matter what, to stir up self pride in their town and community.
nothing wrong with that.
but when it gets to a point where it becomes stupid and vile....it goes too far.
the purpose of rooting for a team is to always focus on positive expectations.
fans' do it right up to the end.
casual observers dont.
hope this helps.
nothing wrong with that.
but when it gets to a point where it becomes stupid and vile....it goes too far.
the purpose of rooting for a team is to always focus on positive expectations.
fans' do it right up to the end.
casual observers dont.
hope this helps.
