There Is A Me In Team

While watching the Giants/Redskins game last night, I got to pondering the world of the sports fan.  I read several columnists at ESPN and SI and most of them have mail bags where they answer fan questions.  It’s fun to read what people write and see what my faves have to say about it.  I have noticed though that some of the columnists refuse to answer questions posed by fans who use “we” or “us” when talking about their teams.  Why is that really?  Isn’t the most unique aspect of fandom the fact that fans more or less become part of their team?

I get it, we’re not out there scoring touchdowns or shooting 3 pointers or hitting home runs.  But the fact is, we’re so invested in our sports teams that it feels like we’re part of it.  A true sports fan understands.  Just like the athlete, your heart is beating harder and faster as your team is driving for the final score.  The clock’s ticking down and you’re not sure if they’re going to get that last shot off to take the lead and win the game.  You’re excited, you’re focused, you’re caught up in the moment just like your favorite players are.  What could be wrong with that?

Now I grant you that after the game, the viewer is not the hero or the goat; we’re not making the big bucks or getting endorsements and having hot men or women falling at our feet.  But don’t you feel satisfied after a great game that your team eeked out?  Don’t you feel exhilarated after your team annihilates an opponent?  Don’t you feel crushed when the other team squeaks out a last second victory over your beloved team?

What other moments cause reactions like that from a person?  I’m an admitted TV junkie, but when I watch Heroes I don’t watch the Petrelli’s and include myself in their heroic doings.  I don’t think “we” when I see Nathan and Peter (although if we were a we, I’d be a happy girl!)  I don’t watch my favorite castaways on Lost and include myself among their many misadventures.  I enjoy it, but I’m not a part of it.

And that the thing that makes sports so unique.  The fan watching from home feels like part of it.  We call the plays from the safety of our couch, we yell at our players when they do something wrong and we celebrate with them when they do something right.  We don’t have to fear for our jobs like coaches and players do, thankfully, we will be back year after year and season after season supporting our beloved teams.

So I don’t think there’s anything wrong with using “we” or “us” when we talk about our favorite teams and players.  Sports brings us into the game and we should feel a part of it.  We should feel the satisfaction of victory and the agony of defeat.  This is why we’re fans.  This is why we love it.  This is why we’ll always be back for more.  Keep cheering those teams and reminding yourself that you’re a part of them.  They need our support and that’s what makes us a “we”.