Why Sports Fans Love Sports

 Many people love, or know of someone who loves sports, and many times we take it at face value, neglecting to delve into the reasons why the passion exists at all.  Undoubtedly, there are a plethora of reasons why sports enthusiasts choose to spend their time engaged in sports related activities of some kind, a few of which we will discuss.  Athletics allows fans to view competition at its finest level, develop relationships, and aspire to be the best athlete possible by watching the best perform their craft.  Though it would be difficult to give a complete account of why so many enjoy sports, the most prominent aspects for this phenomenon will be theorized about in this blog installment.

Obviously, at the heart of the love of sports is competition.  Sports fans love to watch talented athletes compete against each other.  There is something special about watching various talent levels tangle with one another, and how one team can defeat another on any given day.  In addition, it is fascinating to watch the various facets of teamwork converge in an attempt to compete and beat any potential opponent.  Competition is the main attraction for the typical sports fan, and all the facets that surround it are icing on the cake.

As a general rule, people as a collective society, are relational, and sports fans are not exempt from this tendency.  Consequently, athletics creates an atmosphere to allow quality relationships to form.  Usually relationships develop based on a common interest, and among fans, sports acts in this capacity to form a sense of community among people.  Furthermore, this community is provided ample opportunity to be inspired because athletics lends itself to plenty of adversity, which forces participants to develop techniques to overcome it.  Observing athletes conquering their adversity can allow fans to implement some of those same practices to overcome hurdles that they encounter.  Moreover, fans can discuss it with their own community circle to motivate them to power through problems they experience.  Relationships are vital to maintaining a healthy society, and to a sports lover, sports acts as a catalyst to create those relationships.

Generally, when young, the sports fanatic dreams of attaining the goals of their favorite athlete.  Therefore, one practices the exact techniques and mannerisms of that individual in an effort to emulate the favored athlete as much as possible.  Even if unable to ever perform at the level of a given athlete, sports still allows you to ponder what it would be like to be in that person’s shoes.  Unlike any other walk of life, you are able to visualize what it would be like to perform at their level, thanks to the power of television. Atheletics is virtually the most tangible avenue we have as sports fans to try to live out our lifelong dreams.

Everyone has certain elements that must be present in their life to maximize the effectiveness of their existence.  To a sports fan, we love to see the lessons that sports teaches us take place in real time on an athletic field.  From childhood, we are taught to be the best version of ourselves as consistently as possible. Furthermore, we are encouraged to develop friendships and work together to solve problems.  Along with this, we are encouraged to dream about what our future adulthood will look like.  In my estimation, all of these goals must be met simultaneously to be successful in sports.  As a result, sports has a unique purpose in the successful function of society.  That’s why we love sports.

My Top 10 Funniest Moments in Sports

 10.  When Major League Umpire Ken Kaiser, (who was heavyset) was shown on camera, and announcer Al Kaline said, “He hasn’t missed to many Burger Kings.”

 9.  Malice at the Palace - A fan at a Detroit Pistons game threw a beer on Ron Artest, and he started a brawl with the crowd.

 8.  I got called “A fire hazard” at a hockey game because someone thought I was blocking the isle, even though there was plenty of space for people to get through.

 7.  When I was banned from the Sound booth at the IMA Sports Arena, now Dort Federal Event Center, for accidentally knocking a sign into some sound equipment, and it reverberated through the arena speakers.

 6. When a Tigers game was delayed because there was a goose on the field, and they attempted to make it leave by spooking it with fireworks, but they ended up chasing it off.  Ironically, after this occurred, the team went on a mini winning streak, they called it “The Rally Goose.”

 5.  When I ran into baseball player, Ted Power with my wheelchair, in a frantic attempt to get an autograph.  Yes, I did get the autograph.

 4.  At Spring Training, someone asked then-Tigers manager Jim Leyland to autograph a pack of Morlboro  cigarettes.  He said no...

3.  When I interned for the Flint Generals, I was responsible for reporting scores to local media outlets.  On one occasion, I called in a wrong score to a game that I was working.  Radio stations obviously threw me squarely under the bus on air.

2. When at Spring Training one year for the Detroit Tigers, a fan came up to me an said, “The Tigers are gunna win just for you.”

1.  When baseball player Steve Lyons forgot where he was for a moment, and pulled his pants down right on first base to clean dirt out of them.

Did Aaron Rodgers’ Comments, “Can’t Lose to that Team” motivate Lions

 It’s no secret that defamatory comments made about a particular opponent can serve as an instrument to ensure that team performs at a higher level in the future.  In fact, the “Can’t Lose to that Team” comments made by Aaron Rodgers after the Green Bay Packers loss to the Detroit Lions may have been a catalyst to the Lions becoming a great team.  Since that time, the Lions have gone 2-1, only losing in a close game to the Buffalo Bills.  Furthermore, this team has continued to exhibit continuity, confidence, and consistency.

There is no doubt that no organization appreciates being disparaged in any way, and as a consequence, an unstoppable camaraderie can emerge amongst the players.  It is quite possible that this is what has taken place to contribute to the Detroit Lions current streak of success.  Moreover, the words of Rodgers, got under the team’s collective skin.  Therefore, the effort of the Lions’ has gone to another level.  The offense  has become markedly consistent, and the defense has improved astronomically over its anemic performances earlier this season.  This squad is now beating good teams by double digits, and holding opposing offenses at bay.  All of the improved play seemed to begin with the Rodgers comments.   Though the comments and play may be unrelated, it the play the team has displayed since that occurrence is unmistakable.

Potential provocative statements, either unintentional or intentional, can fuel even bad teams to victory over good teams.  It can cause teams to have more focus, discipline, and motivation toward the task at hand, which is victory.  Furthermore, struggling teams want to prove the offending party wrong and eradicate the perception that they are a bad team.  By the same token, derogatory comments regarding an opponent, can act as a distraction to your own team, and diminish the effectiveness of their performance.  As a result, comments such as Aaron Rodgers should be avoided at all costs to avoid impacting your team in a negative fashion, as exhibited by the Packers 5-8 record, and pouring fuel on an opponent’s motivation to beat you.

2022-2023 College Football Playoffs Set, It’s a Prime Example of why Playoffs Should Be Expanded

 The greatest time of year has finally arrived, College Football Bowl Season that will encompass the College Football Playoffs, which will determine the ultimate National Champion of collegiate football.  It was announced Sunday that Ohio State will face Georgia, and Michigan will face TCU in the semifinals for a chance to appear in the National Championship Game that takes place on January 9, 2023.  While all four teams chosen for this year’s playoffs are certainly deserving of their selection, other teams were definitely worthy of an opportunity to play for a championship.  With expansion of the playoff system planned beginning in 2024, most deserving teams should get that chance, as 12 teams will participate in the playoffs

Because of the current playoff system, only four teams could be chosen for playoffs.  Unfortunately, this means those teams selected were left up to a playoff committee.  In theory, squads are selected based on the quality of their overall play, with particular emphasis on their performance against elite opponents.  Therefore, TCU was picked based on only having one loss, and their previous victory against the team they lost to in the conference championship game, Kansas State.  Similarly, Ohio State was selected based in part, on their victory against Notre Dame.  Furthermore, OSU’s case was bolstered thanks to USC losing to Utah, thus eliminating the Trojans opportunity to enjoy an undefeated season and a playoff berth.  As a result of these scenarios, both TCU and Ohio State were playoff bound despite not winning their conference championships.  As a consequence of the current system, teams like Alabama were left on the outside looking in, despite winning the SEC Championship.  With the revised playoff system on the horizon, national champions will be based more on competition than “experts” opinions.

To eliminate the human influence on who become the college football national champion, it has been decided by the powers at be to expand the number of playoff teams to twelve.  Although I support such a move, the manner in which the NCAA has chosen to implement the system is peculiar.  As of now, the 6 conference champions will get automatic berths to the playoffs, with the next 6 going to the highest ranked teams, which are chosen by the playoff committee.  To me, this is a vast improvement over the current four team system, however minor adjustments still need consideration.  College football consist of 10 major conferences, involving 131 teams.  As a result, the NCAA should rely more on competition when determining national championship contenders.  To accomplish this, all conference champions should make the postseason, and then the next 2 highest ranked teams should fill the final 2 playoff positions. Yes, there is still a human element present in picking national champions in this proposed system, but it would be held to bare minimum.  Decreasing human decisions in this process eliminates possible bias and outright corruption from taking place in the selection of playoff teams.

Expanding the playoffs allows teams to earn their playoff position by performing at the highest level possible, rather than relying on a committee to “give” you a playoff berth.  Furthermore, a bad performance or two does not necessarily eliminate a team from playoff contention.  No other collegiate sport has such a heavy reliance on rankings in determining championships.  These proposed changes will definitely develop a reliable playoff setup that ensures that only the best teams win championships.