Help—I need your advice!
If you are reading this article, then chances are you are an avid sports fan. I, on the other hand, am not.
I enjoy going to the occasional sporting event, but watching one on TV? Forget about it.
Ask anyone who knows me. Tune the channel to a sporting event of any kind, and I will promptly go to sleep. The booming voice of the announcer and the roaring crowd in the background drags me into slumber land faster than a sweet lullaby.
For the past 24 years, this lack of affection for competitive sports has caused me minimal pain. Sure, I went to USC during the football glory days, but we actually attended the home games and I usually declined to watch the away games.
I also worked in the Staples Center throughout college—but the Lakers game was always just a slight hum in the background, and I was way too busy to be put to sleep. But now—now my friends—the situation has changed completely.
I find myself at a point in life where I am forced to constantly watch televised competitions. I can either learn to like it, or go pound sand.
And what has caused this sudden turn of events?
A boy.
Namely, my boyfriend of 3.5 years who simply won’t stand my distaste for his passion any longer.
His current career requires that he watch not only the important sporting events, but demands that he keeps up with the wide world of sports in general. He is one of the founders of Bleacher Report and he means business about all of this "sports stuff."
I expect him to support me in my career, and thus I will support him in his. But how?
Now that I’ve made my mind up to (gulp) become a sports fan, how do I teach myself to like it?
Can one teach themself to like sports...or is it something that is innate?
Please, give me some pointers. I promise to be a good sport about it!
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2 months ago
Casey..Zander's a Great guy..If you don't do it for yourself,do it for him..Loving sports is never a built in feature..you have to give it a chance to sink in.
Regards,
SS
from 2 months ago
Zan is a great guy isn't he? In fact, he is so great, that he didn't even comment on an article that I wrote for his website. Sheesh... Boys. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em. :-)
from 2 months ago
I appreciate the support Salaar! Sorry it took me so long to comment honey...
I agree with you that learning to like sports is something that comes with time. The problem is that for all of her wonderful qualities, Case is one of the most impatient people I know!
From an actual "interest" level, the problem I see Case is not only that you don't enjoy the games themselves, but that you don't think they "mean anything" or are "important" in any way. To you, it's just a game—so you don't care about it the way you do a political issue or what not.
As I've told you before baby, the important thing to remember about professional sports are that they bring pleasure to millions of people around the world, many of whom have dull or unhappy lives. It also connects people of like minds together—whether locally or globally.
Take Salaar for instance, who I'm guessing lives in the U.K. He watches the Premiership with his friends and family, and it gives them a chance to spend time with one another. Meanwhile, he comes onto Bleacher Report every day and debates passionately about Man U and the rest of the Premiership with fans who live all around the world—allowing him, among other things, to get to know people of different nations and cultures and connect over a common interest.
Try to step back and consider how much sports mean to millions of people, and the positive effects that it leads to in fostering communities and making the world a smaller place. I think if you're able to wrap your head around the positive externalities that sports bring to society that you'll be able to more easily enjoy the games themselves.
2 months ago
Casey im sure that if you truly intend to become a sports fan, then you will find something that will suit your fancy. my girlfriend chose to become a sports fan herself, and after months of asking me milllions of questions while watching tv and attending games, she decided on her own favorite teams. Now she tries to learn as much as possible about her favorite teams. I think that makes the learning curve easier.
from 2 months ago
Thanks Bryan. I think that's a good approach.
from 2 months ago
Very true Bryan—and to clarify, Casey I'm always happy to answer any questions you may have, no matter how silly.
I think we definitely need to identify a sport that you are likely to enjoy if you really want to try and make the jump.
Think back to playing sports and which ones you liked the most...For instance, you played soccer in high school right? There must thus be something about that game in particular that you find compelling. Maybe we could start watching the Premiership more regularly? (unfortunately the season's just about over...but luckily, it starts back up again as the summer winds down).
Another thing that might help: understanding the rules of the various games, and the types of plays you're likely to see. However this requires you to actually LISTEN to me when I try to explain rather than accusing me of lecturing =)
Finally, I really think we ought to finish Ken Burns' baseball documentary. You can't deny that you were enjoying it before, and it's a great way of understanding how significant the sport of baseball (and sport in general) is to our nation's history and how the game has developed and grown over time alongside our society's progress.
Baseball season is just starting to heat up so the timing would work out nicely...whatdaya say babe?
2 months ago
He's a busy guy,Casey..He always has his work cut out for him..anyway it's never a lose-lose situation..You just have to be positive..give the sport a chance to be liked by your heart and before you know it...you'll be involved in it..
from 2 months ago
EXACTLY.
Listen to Salaar Case, he knows what he's talking about. You've got to WANT to enjoy sports in order to actually enjoy them. If you resent them because you're forced to watch, you've got no chance at becoming a "fan."
Open your heart and mind to the idea of sport and don't look back. I'm guessing you will eventually see what all the fuss is about and wonder why you were so resistant to begin with!
2 months ago
Casey—I just wanted to thank you for this contribution and willingness to say how you really feel. I'm sure there are many girlfriends and wives across the globe who feel this way and it's highly beneficial for our community to occasionally here the perspective of someone who DOESN'T like sports rather than fanatics.
It's truly heartwarming that you care enough about me to give this a try...Lebron and the Celtics square off later tonight, you wanna watch?
Love you,
Zan
from 2 months ago
Ask and ye shall receive. :-)
You're such a sweet guy Zan. Thanks for the advice.
2 months ago
Hey Casey,
Just came across your article and thought you could use a female perspective. I am, I admit, an avid sports fan, but that truly wasn't always the case. I'm leaving, breathing, proof that a love of sports is developed, not just simply innate! How did this change occur? Like you, a boy. I'm not even with him anymore, but the love of sports he helped me obtain has stuck. Here's how it worked for me.
Our first Christmas together, he gave me a book about Brett Favre and the Green Bay Packers. I live in GB, so in most people's opinions, not being a die hard Pack fan was basically sacreligious! Well, this book did not really focus on the game of football per say. Instead, it focused on the players, coaches, and history behind the team (I'm a big history buff so it was great). Then, he took me to the Packer Hall of Fame. I got to see just how much the team has meant to my town throughout the years and how many peoples' lives have been impacted by it. An example of this can be seen in Brett Favre. He cried through is retirement speech and it wasn't even finalized yet! That has got to say something for the level of committment the sport required of him. In addition, it was the sport his decease father taught him and a sport that allowed him to help many people through charities (and did you know he's fulfilled more wishes for children through the Make a Wish Foundation than any other celebrity?)
Anyway, I digress...It looks like you've already started to approach sports from new angles (the baseball documentary being an example), and that's a great approach! If you can come at sports through something you're already passionate about, you'll probably be surprised at how quickly you get sucked in. The key is to TRULY give it a try. Avoid an attitude of "this is silly" or "okay, I'm just doing this for him" (Trust me girl, been there done that, doesn't work). Do your best to be open-minded, ask lots of questions (giving Zander a chance to show off his expertise), if something interests you, even slightly, run with it!! All it really takes is your foot in the door. Alright, I'll step off my soapbox now. Good luck!
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