Amongst the Sports fans

[Infaustus]

You probably know one or are one, someone who would be tempted to be caught up in the craze of a football game or other sport. Who might buy the jerseys, coffe mugs and put great value on tickets to a game. But of course this isn't true of all people, being one of them I've alway thought these fans behavior a bit strange. My best guess has always been that sports are simply an outlet for our (eligibly) inherit violence and competition amongst parties. But on the other hand, I happen to have a strange fondness of sparring. I find it not only appealing but also exhilarating, something that makes you feel alive. Yet I don’t find myself watching wrestling or martial arts though maybe I would if I would if I found a suitable type. But still I'd never pass up a real fight for a televised one... So it leaves me at a loss why people watch sports. I've entertained the idea it’s just the result of laziness, lack of time or perhaps physical limits would prevent them from participating themselves. Obviously there are other views to this and I’m interested to hear them other then about the obvious issue of pride. So if you happen upon this, please don't hesitate to share.

[djy78usa]

I think watching sports definitely serves as an outlet for our competitive drive. All people are competitive to some extent. Watching sports is a cathartic experience for sports fans. It gives us a few hours to live vicariously through those that are gifted enough to play sports at the professional level. The "us vs. them" mentality of sports fans also helps fulfill some of our social needs. For those two or three hours, we share the same ups and downs that every other fan rooting for our team feels.

There's a pretty good article about why we watch sports at:
http://www.physicalfitnessarticles.net/Article/Why-We-Watch-Sports----And-It-s-Not-What-You-Think-/7655

[Infaustus]

So then, if fans are people who are able to satisfy these specific instinctual urges by simply watching sports. Then I suppose that makes the actual players the more aggressive of the bunch or are simply unsatisfied without being in the turmoil.

[djy78usa]

So then, if fans are people who are able to satisfy these specific instinctual urges by simply watching sports. Then I suppose that makes the actual players the more aggressive of the bunch or are simply unsatisfied without being in the turmoil.

I wouldnt' say the athletes play sports because they are more aggresive or unsatisfied without the turmoil. They play because they have been given the natural gifts and have worked hard enough to be able to play the game they love... and it pays pretty well too. I don't like when people just suppose professional athletes are steroid pumping, over aggresive, ticking time bombs. They are regular people who just happen to play a game for a living and, in so doing, they bring happiness to many people.

[The Atheist]

So it leaves me at a loss why people watch sports.

djy is getting to it.

Sports fans also create their own communities and cultures. Just as we do.

:D

[bazarov]

It's simple - I adore football and my club and I would like to play for them, but I am not good enough so I watch them. And so 99,99% of fans around the world do.
But it doesn't prevent me with playing with my friends; probably everyone does the same.

It's like books - I can write novel or poem, but I suck! So I watch how Orwell or Pushkin did that :D

[Dark Muse]

I would like to try and participate in the sports I enjoy, but I like unusual sports, that would be difficult and costly to try and to acutally engage in myself. So I watch them when I get the oppertunity to do so, which is not very often because of thier unusual nature.

I love jousting for one thing. There are a few places I can go that have championship jousting where people come from all over the world to compete. It is not a staged show, it is not a reenactment put on, it is the real deal.

[Infaustus]

A few friends and me wanted to create a fight club of sorts, not bound by any drilling or point based fighting. The obvious reason for it not working would be that its illegal to have such a thing. In fact it is not, but grievous bodily harm is. Anyway it actually failed because of, as you said lack of opportunities to do it. Anyho thanks for your support, I couldn't see from a fan's angle very well.

[parap]

I like arty sports, because they're pretty to watch. Figure skating is my favorite. Combine art and sport and you've got me hooked.