Chances are, all of our favorite sports teams have probably disappointed us at some point… unless you’re a Pats fan. Leafs fans know all too well the constant disappointment of a loss and yet, we just can’t help but stick with our teams because no matter how much we threaten to disown them, we know we just can’t help but stay loyal. Here is a list of the constant struggles that loyal sports fans know all too well.
1. The Losing Streak
As fans, there’s hardly anything worse than the dreaded losing streak. The losing streak makes the game stale and we threaten to become less invested in the game, and while we may show it on the outside, on the inside, we are still cheering on our team until the end.
2. The Taunting
The taunting that comes with your team’s terrible plays is almost as bad as the losing streak. Whenever Eli Manning is sacked by the opposing team, I know that my brother, among others, will be the ones to begin the long stretch of taunts, and yet, I won’t ever be able to turn away from the Giants no matter how much I get mocked for it.
3. “There’s Always Next Year”
Even when your team doesn’t make it to the play offs, Super Bowl, Stanley Cup, World Series, etc. you still hold out hope that the next season will be better than the last. We remain optimistic in hopes that our team will strengthen itself during off-season and come back better than ever.
4. You Own Too Much Of Your Team’s Merchandise
Even when there’s that passive moment of “it’s not too late to drop them” you know that you never could even if you wanted to because you simply own too much merchandise. You’re in too deep, now.
5. Still Liking The Team When Your Favorite Players Get Traded
When your favorite players are the glue that holds the likeness towards your team together, it’s really hard having to grieve when they get traded. At the end of the day, you know they’re not the only reason you love your team but it still feels like there’s a piece missing to the puzzle when they’re traded or retire.
6. The Bandwagoners
It’s always great when your team broadens its fan base but we’d be lying if we said we didn’t get a little defensive and annoyed when bandwagoners join. After all, we’ve stuck with our teams through thick and thin, and not just when they actually win.
7. The Bracket and Fantasy Leagues
This is probably one of the most difficult things involved with being a sports fan. You always gravitate towards your team even if you know, deep down, they’ll lose. And when it comes to your fantasy league, do you choose the QB with better accuracy and intelligence or the one with the most Super Bowl rings? Denial is the worst.
8. The Prices
No matter how well or how terrible our team plays, we are always willing to pay outrageous prices on tickets without a second thought. Being a loyal sports fan makes us wonder what’s more important, groceries for the next two weeks or game tickets? I’ll choose the latter, every time.
9. Your Allegiance
Even if you move away, go to another school, or even relocate for work, your loyalty will always remain with the team you started with. After all, isn’t that one of the cardinal rules of being a loyal fan?
At the end of the day, no matter how terrible your team plays and no matter how much frustration is brought on by it, you can’t help but stay loyal. After all, you wouldn’t know what it feels like to win if you didn’t lose, or something like that, right?
