What does being a fan, a supporter of a club or a player or an individual athlete even mean? Standing by them through good and bad times, for sure, but beyond that? Does being a supporter mean you're not allowed to criticize the object of your affections?
Where exactly do people get off calling me (and I'm not alone in this) a nihilist, an idiot or a bitch just because I point out a horrible cricket shot, a dropped catch, a missed tackle, an ugly throw-in or an ignored overlap? Isn't watching the game and noticing quality as well as an obvious lack thereof part of being a fan? Or have I missed the memo where we were all told that being a fan means praising everything your favourite player does, even though it just cost you a try or even a game, a wicket or even an entire test?
Or are these supporters rather people we commonly call "fangirls" or "fanboys", who generally don't watch the game for the game's sake, who don't even need their team to win, who just need to see their guru on screen, regardless of how bad he did in that particular match? Who would rather see their player score a hundred or three tries and have the team lose the game than admit that he had a crappy game but celebrate a win?
It's so very easy to be fapping over someone new and fresh and exciting, and I'm obviously not immune to that either. But more often than not, in time, I find myself discovering more about that person, and not just disapproving of things I hear or read, no, I feel genuinely repulsed by them sometimes. Do I have to continue to stick up for that player, even though I'm unable to identify myself with him anymore, because being unreasonable and narrow-minded is what "real fans" do?
Does being a supporter, a fan, mean that you have to adore all players of a team alike, because they accidentally landed in that team you've taken a liking to? Are you not allowed to dislike certain individuals, or to say "Look, I don't think Player X deserves to start given his current form." or "Player Z doesn't really add anything and hasn't been doing so for a while, maybe it's time to look elsewhere." these days? Why does saying things like that, even when it's about someone you like, make people call you names?
Of course I'm not claiming to be unbiased at all times - that would not only be a blatant lie but also rather inhuman. Of course I have my favourites too, I even appreciate some of them on a more superficial level as well, but if something's going wrong, I'll say it. Several times even. And I welcome people with genuine influence putting their more qualified fingers into the obvious wounds as well, because personally I'd like players (especially my favourites) to become the best players they can possibly be. And not a herd of cotton-wooled douches with massive egos - and without the right attitude.
Naturally, there's a big difference between having/voicing an opinion and being plain nasty (out of jealousy, ignorance or just for nastiness' sake). Unfortunately a lot of journalists, commentators and bloggers cross the "nasty" line way too often for my liking, and I wish there was a way we could discuss the sports and teams and players we love, hate or love to hate without drifting off into unpleasant and offensive territory.
Even though we tend to act like the world's about to end when our team loses or our favourite player leaves or we can't find a decent stream, following sports remains something rather profane, something obviously not vitally important.
Where exactly do people get off calling me (and I'm not alone in this) a nihilist, an idiot or a bitch just because I point out a horrible cricket shot, a dropped catch, a missed tackle, an ugly throw-in or an ignored overlap? Isn't watching the game and noticing quality as well as an obvious lack thereof part of being a fan? Or have I missed the memo where we were all told that being a fan means praising everything your favourite player does, even though it just cost you a try or even a game, a wicket or even an entire test?
Or are these supporters rather people we commonly call "fangirls" or "fanboys", who generally don't watch the game for the game's sake, who don't even need their team to win, who just need to see their guru on screen, regardless of how bad he did in that particular match? Who would rather see their player score a hundred or three tries and have the team lose the game than admit that he had a crappy game but celebrate a win?
It's so very easy to be fapping over someone new and fresh and exciting, and I'm obviously not immune to that either. But more often than not, in time, I find myself discovering more about that person, and not just disapproving of things I hear or read, no, I feel genuinely repulsed by them sometimes. Do I have to continue to stick up for that player, even though I'm unable to identify myself with him anymore, because being unreasonable and narrow-minded is what "real fans" do?
Does being a supporter, a fan, mean that you have to adore all players of a team alike, because they accidentally landed in that team you've taken a liking to? Are you not allowed to dislike certain individuals, or to say "Look, I don't think Player X deserves to start given his current form." or "Player Z doesn't really add anything and hasn't been doing so for a while, maybe it's time to look elsewhere." these days? Why does saying things like that, even when it's about someone you like, make people call you names?
Of course I'm not claiming to be unbiased at all times - that would not only be a blatant lie but also rather inhuman. Of course I have my favourites too, I even appreciate some of them on a more superficial level as well, but if something's going wrong, I'll say it. Several times even. And I welcome people with genuine influence putting their more qualified fingers into the obvious wounds as well, because personally I'd like players (especially my favourites) to become the best players they can possibly be. And not a herd of cotton-wooled douches with massive egos - and without the right attitude.
Naturally, there's a big difference between having/voicing an opinion and being plain nasty (out of jealousy, ignorance or just for nastiness' sake). Unfortunately a lot of journalists, commentators and bloggers cross the "nasty" line way too often for my liking, and I wish there was a way we could discuss the sports and teams and players we love, hate or love to hate without drifting off into unpleasant and offensive territory.
Even though we tend to act like the world's about to end when our team loses or our favourite player leaves or we can't find a decent stream, following sports remains something rather profane, something obviously not vitally important.
But a bit of honesty here and there goes a long way. Whether that'd be in sports or in life.
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