Nationalism is Also a Part of Sports, Just Not with Nations...Unless it is FIFA

As I walked into my fourth period history class, I noticed the word "Nationalism" written on the whiteboard in big, black letters. Thoughts were running through my head. Knowing that this was my history class, an answer to an unknown question rushed to my head. By rush, I mean lightning quick. So fast, you may as well call it an epiphany.

The answer was circulating in my head. "We must be learning about the first World War." But this answer is basically extraneous with this topic. It's that lone word written on the whiteboard, "Nationalism" that has to do with this article. By definition, nationalism is: excessive devotion and loyalty to one's own nation.

As class began, my teacher, Mr. S., called on the brainy, refulgent kid in the class. "Alex, what is Nationalism and give an example of it." Alex sat on this request, pondering on how he should answer.

Then, in prodigious fashion, the brainy Alex gave an apposite definition as if he just read the dictionary. Alex then stated his example, "A great example of nationalism is war. People love their country so much, they will fight for it or even die for it."  

At first I thought he pushed it to the dramatic line. But I realized something else. I was lost in thought. As I was lost in this partial obstreperous train of thought, Mr. S. congratulated the brains of the class, and then continued with his lesson.

Unfortunately, I don't remember much of the lesson that day. I had many thoughts that I found recalcitrant since I was also trying to pay attention. Then one question was milked out of my thoughts. Does nationalism really exist in sports? This question has a simple answer. And that answer is a quiet "yes."

In pursuit to find out more about this "nationalism of sports" I asked a friend if he believed this existed. Of course it does. I felt people thought this would be a risible question coming from me. But then my friend told me of an incident in which "Sports-ism/ Fan-ism/Fan-hood" existed.

My friend is a big time WSU football fan. A few years back, Top 10 Oregon was at Top 10 WSU. This was the big game. The winner was to most likely win the PAC-10. It was an exciting game with great play from both teams. Offense, Defense, and Special Teams played well.

In the end, WSU lost. As my friend was on his way to his car, he noticed a group of WSU fans confronting a group of Oregon fans. Both groups were talking smack about one another. The groups consisted of people who didn't know each other. They all had the same cause. "Support their team." Even though WSU lost, the fans still thought they were the best team that was on the field that gloomy Saturday.

This made perfect sense to me. Obviously, its not that blear to see that true fans support their teams through the thick and thin. Win or lose, true fans believe in their team. Whether you are a Yankee, Charger, Penguin, or a Fighting Blue Hen, we all share a common concept.

This phenomena truly does defy us for who we are. It's our nationalism in the sports world. It's our excessive devotion/ loyalty to our team. It's our Fan-hood and our "addiction" to sports.