10 Times It's OK to Cry As a Sports Fan

Sports bring out a lot of emotions in everyone—players, coaches and fans—so it's not uncommon to see a few tears fall from eyes during a number of situations.

While there's a famous quote that says, "There's no crying in baseball," as long as fans do it at the right time, I see nothing wrong with it. So go ahead and get a little misty-eyed, guys, because, chances are, thousands of others are doing it too.

Just remember, though, crying can only be done during certain situations—and not hysterically to cause a scene—so follow these rules to save yourself from total embarrassment.

10. The National Anthem

It might be more common for an athlete to shed tears when the national anthem is being played before a sporting event, but if a fan happens to do the same thing, there's no shame in that.

Look, America is the greatest freakin' country on the planet, so anytime we get to hear the song that represents it—especially when it's an epic performance before a big game—sometimes the emotions can get the best of a person. Own it if that's the case.

9. When Your Favorite Player Retires

You know, this wasn't something that I really ever thought of until the announcement from Kobe Bryant this past week that had him telling the sports world that, after 20 years as a Los Angeles Laker, this would be his final season.

For some reason, I got choked up—like, a lot—even having a few tears swell up in my eyes during his press conference because I was thinking about all The Black Mamba has done for the game during his tenure and the epic performances he put on display.

It's not so much Bryant is/was even my favorite player, but when a Hall of Fame talent who played harder than nearly anyone and couldn't accept losing calls it quits, it's an end of an era that leaves fans wondering who the next player will be to fill that void. And, in some cases, there isn't one.

8. When a Superstar/Icon Leaves a Team

As a Cleveland Cavs fan, I take no shame in admitting that, as a 25-year-old in 2010, I absolutely cried upon hearing the words, "Taking my talents to South Beach," spill from LeBron James' mouth.

Growing up near Cleveland, I knew right then and there that it was another stain on a fallen city. It was one of our own saying he didn't want to be there any longer. I thought about what it would do to the economy and how it would test the resolve of Cleveland sports fans everywhere.

That might seem far-fetched to fathom, but if you've ever been in a position where a superstar either openly leaves through free agency or get shipped out via trade, you know exactly what I'm talking about, because it feels like a girlfriend/boyfriend has just walked out for something better.

All the memories and amazing moments with that athlete are gone—but, in the case of James and the Cavs, it's not always forever. Yes, I cried when I read that too.

7. After a Championship Win/Loss

Athletes might be the ones pouring their entire lives to reach a championship, but fans are right there with them to come along for the ride, so don't take for granted a win or loss once your favorite team gets there.

Sure, the Golden State Warriors, New England Patriots and Chicago Blackhawks might be on top of their respective sports now, but we all know that can't last forever. So who knows, someone who's 10 years old may never see a win/loss in a title game ever again.

Knowing that, when a team wins, go crazy, celebrating as if there's no tomorrow. When a team loses, go ahead and cry and wonder what it would be like to have tasted victory with your team and fellow fans—and just hope you get another chance to experience that feeling again.

6. After a Giant Upset (Win or Lose)

Crying after a giant win or loss comes with a bit of a caveat, as it's OK to do, but don't let it affect the rest of your day/week.

In the case of winning, go ahead and be amped up that your little underdog who everyone wrote off actually beat Goliath and shocked the world. Embrace it, but don't gloat. Cheer, but don't be obnoxious about it. 

As for losing, it sucks when the sports world is laughing at you and your team for losing to a long shot, but, that's sports! Rather than lock yourself in a dark room and refuse to talk to anyone for the next day/week, just accept it and move on—but go ahead and cry first if it's a loss that either ended your team's season or put a major dent in its quest for a championship.

Either way, just remember to never go onto social media and post a video of you complaining or boasting, because no one likes those types of people.

5. When a Team Relocates

JOHN FROSCHAUER/Associated Press

Again, as someone who grew up in Cleveland, I've experienced this first hand—albeit when I was 10 years old—so I can somewhat relate to the pain of having a team ripped away from you.

Now living in Seattle, I can see how fans of the former Seattle Supersonics react when the team gets brought up in conversation about the good times and the hope that a team will find its way back to the Emerald City.

For all the time and energy that fans invest in a favorite franchise, when a billionaire owner decides that another option is better to make more money, crying is the only appropriate way to react. The word "appropriate" is key there, because, let's be honest, all you really want to do is punch something—but that's highly advised against doing.

4. During an Awards Speech/Trophy Presentation

As a fan of a team or player, it's totally OK to get a little choked up when you see and hear how appreciative they are when they get rewarded for their hard work—whether that be an individual award or a team accomplishment.

There's nothing quite like seeing your guys up there on a podium as the last team standing or your favorite player giving a speech to thank everyone for some award, as it really seems like you played some sort of role in it.

Go ahead and act like a proud sibling or parent when that happens, because you've invested enough in that athlete/team to feel as if they're speaking to you.

3. When Soldiers Surprise Their Families

Oh, come on now, what's better than this? Next to nothing, in my opinion.

With all of us appreciative of those who have served our country, it's just awesome when a soldier returns to the States and does so by surprising his/her family at a sporting event.

What better venue than sports, where the family is surrounded by hundreds of thousands of people, is there to get everyone to stop for a second and embrace what's going on down on the field or court? There isn't, so it's all right to cry when witnessing this happen.

2. Almost Anything Involving Kids

Until the day I die, I'll never understand why some kids have to deal with such adversity at a young age, battling diseases or something else that doesn't allow them to be, well, a kid.

One thing that sports do is give them a break from it all and remind them that they're part of a team that treats them like family, and it's amazing to see—even if it's just on a local level.

When a youngster and a team or athlete have their paths cross to form a bond that's unbreakable, that's when everyone should have all the feels, because it's something that should put a smile on all of our faces and bring tears of joy.

1. When a Moment Is Bigger Than Sports

What makes sports so great is both the unpredictability and camaraderie that they bring, as they offer a break from everyday struggles for a few hours and allow us fans to show true passion.

In a lot of cases, sports have been the platform that has helped people overcome personal heartache, and it's OK to cry when that happens.

The words, "more than a game" often get used as a way to downplay the significance for players and teams, but that's not always the case—as we saw with the city of New Orleans when its Saints returned following Hurricane Katrina.

That moment wasn't just about football, it was about the rebirth of the entire city—and the whole country rallied behind that and, more than likely, teared up.