The Life of Being a Fan

Have you ever listened to a sports talk show? Maybe you've browsed internet forums, checked your own social media feeds, or overheard friends, or coworkers. It's likely, you've seen someone upset about his, or her, favorite team.

"Fire the coach!" "Get rid of that guy!" 'We suck!"

These knee jerk reactions always appear after something happens to the team they're devoted to.

But, they are on the other end of the spectrum too. There are people out there, you may even know some, who are in a constant state of delusion. Contrary to what's laid out in front of them, they believe this their team's year.

This is what I call: The life of being a sports fan.

We have the Cheeseheads in Green Bay and the Dawg Pound in Cleveland . There are the

Cameron Crazies, the student section of Duke University and the 12th Man, what Seattle Seahawks fans call themselves. Before I continue, Texas A&M would like to have a word Seattle.

Fans cheer loudly for their team, and ruthlessly boo to other team (and their fans). Sometimes they will even boo at their own team, or even Santa. Talk to Eagles - maybe all of Philadelphia -fans about that.

It's what people do, they support and show love for the team, or organization, they love. Webster's dictionary defines fanatic as, "a person who is extremely enthusiastic about and devoted to some interest or activity."

That's just what we, as fans, experience. We live and die with the teams we follow, and in some sense love. People identify with them. Ever heard someone use the word, "we" when talking about a team?

I think this devotion, and sometimes crazy behavior, is because we all need the escape. For two to four hours, we forget the stress and struggles we're dealing with on a daily basis. Instead of bills, we worry about getting a first down or striking out the side.

Sometimes, it is just a way to connect back with our childhood. Maybe we chose to support a team because one of our parents did. Maybe it was a sibling, or friend.

Several years ago as the Carolina Panthers were marching to 15-1, I remember there were discussions about why the team did not have a strong hold on North & South Carolina. There are fans of other teams, namely the Redskins, all throughout North Carolina. One theory is that is because before the '90s, they were all you had. Kids followed the teams their parents did, and never considered the Panthers.

Don't get me wrong, Carolina is not helping its' cause, with NEVER having back-to-back winning seasons. However, the team is picking up steam. Many people who did switch allegiance to the Panthers, are having their own kids and starting them on the right path.

It is what makes being a fan of any sports team great. We have things to talk, ridicule, and joke with friends about. Bets can be made, and "friendly" rivalry can be made. For example, I'm sure the average sports fan knows about the rivalry between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

During the MLB Postseason, during one Patriots football game, fans started to chant, "Yankees suck!" Additionally, after the World Series was completed, Red Sox fans were heard doing the same chant as FOX returned from commercial, after the Red Sox had won the World Series.

Fans are what make sports better. We build a connection with others who pull for the teams we do. Wear a shirt or hat for a team you support, and if you cross paths with someone wearing something showing they are a fan, you're likely to speak to them about a recent game, performance or something big that just happened.

One such moment happened last week, albeit it was short lived.

For the first time in school history, my Alma Mater, Appalachian State University was ranked nationally. It was the first thing off the lips of an ASU fan, and even a movement people on Reddit's college football subreddit, took on. Seeing fans of multiple schools, week in and out typing #RANKAPPSTATE, was fascinating.

Last Thursday happened, and our rival Georgia Southern knocked us down a peg on ESPN. By the time the new rankings came out, we received no votes for the poll. Seven days being nationally ranked, completely worth it.

Those defining moments are what make being a sports fan great. If you're a fan of any team, I'm sure you have moments you remember.

For me, it's the 2003 Super Bowl as a die-hard Panthers fan. I'll never forget how close we got to winning the whole thing. Not just last week, but I remember being a student at ASU when we beat Michigan in 2007. I can give you an almost retelling of that day in 2007, if you ask me.

There's the hatred for the New York Yankees that begin in 1996, when I was an Atlanta Braves fan. Watching the Yankees win four straight, taking the World Series from the Braves was the beginning of what grew into being a Red Sox fan. It definitely didn't hurt that my favorite number is five, and Nomar Garciaparra wore it and played my favorite position in baseball.

These moments connect us with others who pull for the team, and the team itself. Talking to strangers about these instances cause you to relive them. You create a momentary bond with these people, and maybe a friendship. Here's a challenge: Head to a restaurant, or public place, when one of your favorite teams are playing. Not a fan, or care about sports? Then people watch.

People will cheer, and moan. They may laugh or high five someone. They'll be vicariously living, and dying, with their team.

I had initially planned to write this blog, about the past week I've had as a fan. From ASU losing on Thursday and the Red Sox winning the World Series on Sunday, this weekend could be defined as a roller coaster. Add in the Panthers are sitting at 5-2, which includes coming from 17 points down in the 4th quarter against the Eagles last week. It is a good time to be a fan, for me at least.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized people are going through opposite emotions than I am in those instances. Maybe they were happy when ASU lost, or sad because the Dodgers lost. We get this escape from several hours, and relish it. Rather than worrying about what's for dinner, the worry is focused on winning the game..

It's what makes being a fan great. We go from complaining about our job, to being upset when our team struggles. Just remember, in the world of social media, be careful what you say. Your words could come back at you.