For me, I was raised with the thrill of not only participating, but also watching a sports game. I follow cricket matches, soccer and football games, and occasionally sit down for some baseball and hockey. I have my teams that I just have to watch; nonetheless, the whole sport is honestly worth watching.
I am quite sure that I am just one of the many girls out there who have gotten comments, serious or sarcastic, about her love for watching sports on TV. Not only do we watch it for fun, we actually understand it just as much as the guy next door. From cheering for Indian cricket to Manchester United to the Steelers this fall, I know that I will be getting crazy shocked expressions from men and women all around me. These are really just a few of the examples!
1. “Who do you think is the hottest player?”
Just because I’m a girl who likes sports, it doesn't mean that I’m watching for cute guys. There's a chance that maybe I’m, you know, actually interested in the game they're playing. If a girl does comment on the crush-worthiness of a player, don't let that invalidate her genuine interest in the game itself. Multitasking: We know how to do it. We might be hardcore about our fandom, but this is a sporting event, and it is completely okay that we have fun watching it.
2. “You know, the women’s league is actually not that bad this year!”
Thanks for that little comfort...? However, just because I’m a woman, it doesn't mean I automatically only follow the woman's league! I love watching the women’s soccer, too, but there is no way you can just excuse all male sports from my love for the different athletic teams out there.
3. “Do you really like sports this much or are you just trying to be cool?”
Yes, I'm completely faking a super-involved, all-consuming love for soccer, football, and cricket that I don't actually care about at all, just for the sake of trying to fit in with people like you. Oh and by the way, this isn't my real name or face, either.
4. “I’m so impressed and proud!”
Why? Am I a female sports fan who also made some amazing discover for the world? Did I just do something extraordinary and now am getting a Nobel Peace Prize? News flash to the folks with this comment: Sitting on the couch just a big t-shirt on, eating chips and dip, and screaming at a game on the TV has never been something that took much skill for me. It's just another thing a woman can enjoy, and there's no need to act surprised at her interest for watching a nice game during her day.
5. [A man explaining the game to you even though you know exactly what is going on…]
That’s what that line on the field means? No way! I love the game and know the rules. I’m not just watching the TV so I can have you explain everything that is going on. If I have a question, I will ask you.
6. “It’s so weird to know a girl who likes watching sports this much!”
It’s really not, I promise. There are literally millions of us out there. What IS weird is meeting someone in 2016 who has such old-fashioned ideas about what women do and do not like!
Next time, you see a lady like me who shows a great deal of love for one, two, or multiple sports, don’t make a judgmental comment. Instead, watch the game with us while eating pizza and chips, and just enjoy the Steelers win the Super Bowl or even the Manchester United team continue to kick butt this September 10th!
