In Defense of Jersey Wearing Losers

I love sports radio stations, I listen to them every day during the week but at times they have an elitist attitude on those who do not toe the line.

Case in point. Colin Cowherd, of ESPN, the other day claimed that wearing a jersey of a sports team when you are older than 18 makes you a loser. I heard this same claim a day later on a local radio station.

I am a relatively normal person I think. I love sports. Otherwise I would not write about them.

Given this, I expect I am not alone in wearing a team jersey more than just to games.  I am the person NFL Shop loves. I have about seven jerseys from various teams across all the sports I follow.

I love collecting them, I really like wearing them, well mostly when the teams win.

Fans across the sports world want to identify with their team of choice. One of the ways to do this is to pull on a jersey. It might be numbered, most of mine are blank. 

This association helps to build a relationship with the team. Each of my kids have come to like teams because they see that logo, hear the stories and carry on the traditions.

Fans who wear jerseys are not dumb, they are not losers.

I think sport talk radio hosts generally do mention things like this because it generates discussion. Just as Cowherd is always taking shots at hockey or Canada, it gets a response.

However, just because they do it to get a rise does not make it right. In fact I would argue that fan jerseys represent more than just a wish to share glory. 

It publicly declares your stance. Which means you can be open to ridicule or agreement depending on the situation.

Also, wearing your jersey seems to be a good conversation starter. People immediately begin discussions with you, they open up.

So let's give jersey wearing people a break. We just love our teams, and if you are unable to understand that is fine. But at the end of the day we both love sports and we do what we can to support them.