I've come to the conclusion that you can tell a lot about a person based on their team trend. Deep routed questions can be answered by this often overlooked character flaw. -- Are they a glory seeker? Will they be there for you when you are down? Will they be humble? Will they move on to the cool kids with the lunchables when you show up with a bologna sandwich? --
As an England girl, and having lived in Italy and Spain... I think it's absurd that anyone would "fan" a team for reasons other than they were born into them. My family, for instance, regardless of the number of times the home team is relegated into lesser division... disgraceful losses... disappointing sportsmanship... etc. etc. etc., they'll never wear a scarf that isn't blue and yellow. (Football - real football- reference). Why? Well obviously because "we are Leeds, we are Leeds, we are Leeds!" Traveling across Europe (and the World minus America), you'll notice that it is very rare that someone actually supports a team other than the one right down the road. Of course, it's acceptable to support a team in a different league than the home team just so you have someone to follow in said league... but you still don't buy their jersey. Why is Football loved so dearly around the world? Well simply because of patriotism. It's amazing.
With this sort of an upbringing... it sticks out like a sore thumb when I meet a Cowboys Fan with a New York accent, a Southern Belle with pink Chicago Bulls jersey, a South Dakotan "hook 'em". The beauty behind sports is the bond between neighbor, the comrade at arms cheering in the stands, the group frenzy that lies behind every basket, goal, run, touchdown. Think back to high school. The excitement in the stands. Everybody you knew (for the most part), everyone you loved, your friends, your neighbor, teacher, mother, father, brother, classmate... they all sat on the same side and cheered beside you, rooting for the home team! What could be better?
... the answer. For some: the glory, the popularity, the bragging rights, the win.
It's with great wisdom that I warn... beware of all who cheer for the team that has no geographical connection to them at all. Unless there is a valid explanation - went to college there, was stationed there, my state didn't have a such and such team (and in that case they had better pick the team of the next closest state), parents were born there and it's in the blood, family member plays for them, the entire team once attended my birthday party, you're catholic, I am a girl and cheer for them because my husband does... beware. Beware.
(Note: the one and only exception to this rule is Hillary Clinton)
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