Casual sports spectators are easy to find but a true sports fan is rare. Many people watch sports just for fun and could not care less which team or athlete is in the lead. However, a true sports fan is passionate about the sport that they follow and will often devote a good part of their life to the sport. They will have an emotional attachment to their teams and will go to great lengths to support them. If you are wondering if you make the cut as a true sports fan, here are some identifying signs.
You collect sports memorabilia
A true fan will collect everything from helmets to trading cards and everything in between. You may display framed jerseys in your living room or have an entire room dedicated to your collection. If you were lucky enough to catch a puck or baseball during a game, it would enjoy pride of place in a display case in the center of your office or even by your bedside. Most importantly, a true fan would not part with their prized items for anything in the world. You would still be reluctant to let your trading cards go even if the sports card price guide values them at hundreds of dollars each!
You try to catch every game
While casual spectators would be more than happy to just watch highlights of a game on the news, a true fan would never miss catching the full broadcast of a game no matter where or when it is being played. You may find yourself waking up early to catch the live telecast of a sporting event or staying up past midnight to watch a late match. Is the FIFA World Cup final on at 3 a.m.? No problem! No matter how tired you are or how inconvenient the time might be, you will always make time to catch the game because you never want to miss out on the action.
You know a lot about the sport and your team
Although some sports fans only know the basics about their favorite sport or team, true fans are usually very knowledgeable about all aspects of the sport. You know all the important players in the team and have your favorite ones. In addition, you know exactly which of them is the better shot on the court or the fastest runner on the field. You also have extensive knowledge of the rules, statistics, and trivia related to the sport and can quote facts to your friends whenever you need to drive a point home.
You absolutely do not bandwagon
Some people will cheer for an opposing team just for the sake of being on the winning side but if you are a true fan you will stick with your team no matter how they perform on the pitch. You will never abandon them even if they end up at the bottom of their league standings year after year. Sure, it may be a little disheartening, but supporting a team is like being part of a family—even in defeat, you will always be there for them. This makes future victories all the sweeter!
You have a strong opinion about your team
You may have great ideas about how to improve the team’s performance and get angry when your team makes a mistake or a wrong play. For instance, you might hate seeing a player take unnecessary risks to score a point instead of sharing the ball with their teammates. You may also be upset that the coach benches certain players even though they have been playing well. Whatever the case is, you always want what is best for your team and will never hold back from voicing your opinion.
You are willing to go the distance
True fans are always willing to go the extra mile to support their team. You will often drive to a game although it is several hours away. You may fly across the country to attend a big game. If you live in a different city as your team, you may even find yourself traveling to their home ground often to watch them play in person. Luckily, traveling to a game can be a social affair and you look forward to meeting other sports fans on the road or making new friends when you get to the stadium.
Your friends are sports fans too
Birds of a feather flock together and avid sports fans usually have many friends who share the same passion. You discuss games with each other over a barbecue and plan to attend sporting events together whenever you can. If you have a partner in your life, odds are that they are either a sports fan too or have given you free rein to pursue your passion. Either way, everyone in your social circle has accepted that your love of sports is a big part of your identity and life.
So, there you have it. If you agree with most or all of these statements, then chances are you are a true sports fan. Pat yourself on the back for being a loyal supporter and for rooting for your team through thick and thin. Stay passionate, because true fans are the driving force of any sport. And you can be sure that your team values your support too!