I never could get "into" sports watching. I've always been the type to play it rather than watch others enjoy something. Guess because it had something to do with not growing up with a telly either. I was an outside type of kid. Whether it was soccer, football, boxing, etc, it didn't really matter. I wanted to do it myself instead and not in a competitive way either. Just for funs. Hence why I never joined a school team either. It took all the joy out of it for me when it gets turned into a chore or a job.
But yet when I observed the adults watch their favorite games, usually soccer in my case, I thought it weird how these guys while sitting on the couch eating potato chips and sipping beer got so emotional over a game they never had no real influence in.
Now of course, in today's time, I am perplexed how and why people get so emotionally invested in games they never actually play. Maybe it's because they don't get to be a child again sometimes as often as they used to? Or maybe it's because of some brainwashing going on to keep us distracted from life's truest gifts. I don't know yet. But we can try figure out what that connection is.
Then it dawned on me one day, a long time ago, I think about over 15+ years ago, I'm 35 now, I thought, maybe these mainstream sports corporations are the ones to benefit from all those people saying "We won" despite never laying a hand in the game itself. Surely it's not the only reason, because it's also a gambling opportunity for the gambler. But they only account for so much of the revenue while meantime, the fans of xyz sport are where the true money lays. They become so attached emotionally and spiritually that they end up buying merchandise after merchandise, ticket after ticket, to watch a game they could play with their own family and/or friends back home for free and still have just as much fun and dopamine hit doing it. Probably even more enjoyable if they gave it a chance.
I find it hilarious though how people would jump out of their seats and chant for their team just as equally hilarious as when people smash their TV because the quarterback throws the ball directly to the opposing team like in the last Super Bowl game that recently occurred. Or people fighting in the parking lot like wild baboons just for wearing the wrong outfit in the wrong place. These people take the game so serious they literally wear their teams like their gang members gangbanging for their team and turf. It's wild as fuck.
So then, like why? Why does this happen? Why do people do this? Why is sports watching so addicting? Is it tribalism? A method of trying to belong to something because they have something to fill in their soul and heart? Do you think that maybe they would be more fulfilling their space if they did it themselves? Is it lack of confidence? Is it because they have no one to play with? Too unhealthy because of all the Cheetos from binge watching sports on tv for many years? What's behind the psychology of all this?
And yet here I am, sitting back and watching it all unfold, thinking… maybe I’m the lucky one who gets to play instead of just cheer. Meanwhile, millions are yelling at screens, throwing chips at the couch, and paying for the privilege… and somehow calling it fun. So what does it all mean? Are we cheering for a team, or are we just cheering for a reason to belong? Maybe both. Maybe neither. Either way, it’s wild as hell to watch from the sidelines.