I grew up an AFL football fan! I did not realise it at the time but there are many types of football codes and fans. I actually got a bit of a shock then I started to travel and met people outside of my little network of friends that were not interested in Australian Rules Football or sport at all!
I thought their local team must have just not been doing very well so they just were just not into it but no they did not even like it even if they were winning and top of the league.
In the old days I used to go to as many games as I could, even two in one day if the schedule made it possible.
I had team jumpers and collected player cards. I still have lots of them and sort of got my son hooked on it too.
Even if you don't understand or like the game it is fun just to go to the game and watch the fanatic fans chanting and singing there songs. I never got into that much, I just like the game.
I suppose I liked it so much because I enjoyed playing a bit myself, never to a high standard just a local social game. It taught so many lessons, skills and built friendships.
I used to be a fan of one team but as I got older, I seemed to be more a fan of the sport and did not mind watching any team. Eventually other parts of family life seem way more important.
I still consider myself a fan but now am lucky if I watch one game a year.