Are you nuts?!?
I like to think that I’m just a little bit crazy. Not in a bad way, mind you, but just a tad off in amusing ways. But I give myself too much credit. Because there’s something about football season that brings out the real nutcases.
You've seen them. That guy who bares his chest in sub-freezing weather at the Meadowlands with a giant blue "G" painted on it. That one in Foxboro with a huge foam Patriots hat lodged on his head and three dozen Tom Brady jerseys in his closet at home.
If you’re anything like me, your first reaction is to turn and walk away. Quickly. But did you know it might be help him stay healthy and happy?
A 1993 study by psychologists at the University of Kansas showed that ardent sports fans become so tied to their teams that they experience hormonal surges and other physiological changes while watching games. Their self-esteem actually rises and falls with Chad Pennington’s completion percentage. And the psychologists considered this a good thing.
Of course, fans can also get too much of a good thing. But how much is too much when it comes to following sports? I don’t have the questions from the study, but I’d imagine they were similar to the following:
1. While at the stadium with your family, the Giants’ Sean Landeta completely whiffs on a punt. Do you?
a. Reach into your pocket to find the quarters you keep there for this occasion - which is chucking them at his head.
b. Blame the swirling Meadowlands winds and lament having to share a stadium with the stinkin’ Jets.
c. Notice that the breeze shakes your binoculars while you determine whether it’s a United or Continental plane overhead.
2. You’re an attorney getting dressed for the day. Do you?
a. Believe there’s no good reason for washing off the Jets green face paint from Sunday night.
b. Pull on your game-worn John Hall jersey because it's the only one that fits under your suit coat.
c. Actually have clothes that match.
3. Your co-workers are discussing whether the Vikings will rebound and be back. Do you?
a. Give a wedgie to that guy in accounting who wants them to run the ball more.
b. Draw up trick plays on the donut box lid.
c. Claim that Leif Ericson actually was the first European to land on the new continent.
Are you a type “A” fan? Or someone who doesn’t “C” what the big deal is about sports?
You've seen them. That guy who bares his chest in sub-freezing weather at the Meadowlands with a giant blue "G" painted on it. That one in Foxboro with a huge foam Patriots hat lodged on his head and three dozen Tom Brady jerseys in his closet at home.
If you’re anything like me, your first reaction is to turn and walk away. Quickly. But did you know it might be help him stay healthy and happy?
A 1993 study by psychologists at the University of Kansas showed that ardent sports fans become so tied to their teams that they experience hormonal surges and other physiological changes while watching games. Their self-esteem actually rises and falls with Chad Pennington’s completion percentage. And the psychologists considered this a good thing.
Of course, fans can also get too much of a good thing. But how much is too much when it comes to following sports? I don’t have the questions from the study, but I’d imagine they were similar to the following:
1. While at the stadium with your family, the Giants’ Sean Landeta completely whiffs on a punt. Do you?
a. Reach into your pocket to find the quarters you keep there for this occasion - which is chucking them at his head.
b. Blame the swirling Meadowlands winds and lament having to share a stadium with the stinkin’ Jets.
c. Notice that the breeze shakes your binoculars while you determine whether it’s a United or Continental plane overhead.
2. You’re an attorney getting dressed for the day. Do you?
a. Believe there’s no good reason for washing off the Jets green face paint from Sunday night.
b. Pull on your game-worn John Hall jersey because it's the only one that fits under your suit coat.
c. Actually have clothes that match.
3. Your co-workers are discussing whether the Vikings will rebound and be back. Do you?
a. Give a wedgie to that guy in accounting who wants them to run the ball more.
b. Draw up trick plays on the donut box lid.
c. Claim that Leif Ericson actually was the first European to land on the new continent.
Are you a type “A” fan? Or someone who doesn’t “C” what the big deal is about sports?
posted by Tim Kolehmainen at 6:56 PM
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