The Emotional Toll Of An American Sports Fan

Every sports fan has experienced the sick feeling of defeat, and some have felt it way more than others. Sorry Lions fans.

Many die-hard Titans, Giants, Panthers, and Chargers fans know that feeling all too well right now.

Unfortunately for me, I'm a Titans fan and let me just say, the feeling seems like I just broke up with a girlfriend.

The amount of emotions that sports fans invest into their respective sports teams allover the world is something so powerful that sometimes it feels just like breaking up with someone you love.

Just watching my Titans AFC Divisional playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens probably added years to my life, and gray hairs to my head. True sports fans don't just watch the game, but feel like they are part of the actual game.

After watching the Titans lose to their hated rivals, it was all I could think about afterwards.

Like many fans do for their teams, I at first made countless excuses for why my team lost: The refs made bad calls; too many turnovers; an injury in the second quarter to the team's best player (Chris Johnson). Every fan has made that list.

After going over those excuses time and time again, I tell myself the infamous saying: "There's always next year". Unfortunately for me, that saying never works and usually makes things even harder.

Then I figure going to workout will release some of my aggression and I'll be fine. Again, just like breaking up with a girlfriend, you might get distracted from the loss, but you won't forget it.

As hard as it is being a passionate fan of a sports team, it is still one of this nation's greatest pastimes. Being a part of something bigger than you, and something you have no control of.

So my advice to all you broken-hearted Titans, Giants, Panthers, and Chargers fans out there is to keep the faith, because you team's time will come. It may be 100 years before it happens, but it will come.

And if you're an Eagles, Cardinals, Steelers, or Ravens fans, don't get too comfortable. Heartbreak could be right around the corner.

We've all been there and will probably be there many more times in the future. It's the emotional gamble you take when you become a true sports fan.

If you're not sure you will know how to handle you're team losing a heart-breaker, contact a Chicago Cubs fan immediately. They will be able to guide you through the process of coping.