The Diehard Sports Fan: How Far Is Too Far?

I am an avid sports fan of most major sports. Ok, that was a bit weak. I am a fanatic of most major sports! If the truth were told (and I guess I’m telling it here) I find myself getting carried away sometimes when my preoccupation with one of my favourite teams causes me to leave the world of the normal and important. Did you happen to catch the subtle difference I made between the words “fan” and “fanatic” in the above comparison? A fan is acceptable, but a fanatic is pushing the proverbial envelope. However, the former is just a shorter version of the latter. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines a fanatic as one who is “marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion.” Synonyms for this word include extreme, rabid, radical, and revolutionary. After reading such a treatise of this word I am forced to ask myself, “How far is too far?”

One of the teams I am fanatical about is the NFL’s Cleveland Browns. A perennial loser, I nevertheless follow them closely, year after painful year. I had to chuckle, then, when I read a story about a long-time beleaguered fan who was nearing death. Scott Emtsminger wrote his own obituary, of sorts, prior to his July 4th death from pancreatic cancer. Poking fun at his favourite professional football team, Scott wrote, “I’d like six Cleveland Brown pallbearers to come to my funeral, so they can let me down one more time.” Also, at Scott’s request, mourners were to attend the funeral in orange and brown, the official colours of the Cleveland Browns. Although the pallbearer request wasn’t serious, two reps from the Browns came and presented the family with a Lou Groza jersey, Scott’s favourite player, with the family’s name on the back.

Honestly, I think this was a hilarious story, and I appreciate Scott Emtsminger’s sense of humour immensely. However, there is also something within me that wonders if many sports mavens take things too seriously. I once counselled a couple preparing for marriage that admitted they were struggling with a recurring issue. The husband-to-be had a problem with anger that reared its ugly head whenever his beloved baseball team lost. Many lamps met their fate at the expense of his frequent temper tantrums. Really? It’s just a game, isn’t it? Back in the 1980’s I worked at a restaurant and the head bartender made a boatload of bets on the 1982 World Cup. He was sure Germany would win, but the when they were upset by Italy, “Bill” was suddenly out a lot of cash. He was miserable to work with for many weeks to follow.

I have an acid test that I use on myself to see if I have crossed a line in my passion for a particular game. I watch how I react to mild irritations in the wake of the contest, as well as listen to the tone of my voice. I also get a “twinge” on the inside of me from the Lord when I’m dwelling too much on the temporal and losing sight of the spiritual. Now, what I do with that twinge that is what counts. I think sports involvement, both as an active participant and as an avid spectator, is a good thing. However, without restraints it can become something that takes away from the enjoyment sports are created to achieve. Even on the professional playing field we see the dichotomy between those have their sport in perspective and those who seem to take it too seriously. Yes, this is a paid profession for these silver screen stars, but at the end of the day many fans want to know if character outlasts a win-at-all-costs mentality. Even true diehards should have their limits.