In addition to a series of events ending in the phrase "gate," many of us went into this Super Bowl rooting for Atlanta because they were the underdog. The Falcons deserve it. The Falcons didn't have it easy. The Falcons worked the hardest, right?
But somewhere between the 3rd and 4th quarter, you felt your fists tighten, your jaw clench. You rose out of the human-shaped concavity in the couch you've been casually sipping your beer in, and it wasn't in hopes that the Falcons would stretch their lead just a little bit further. From David and Goliath to Sylvester Stallone and everyone in between, the concept of the underdog is something that has captured the hearts of society for ages. Sunday was no exception.
Two dudes named Frazier and Snyder (1991) were the first to capture evidence of the underdog concept in sports, sparking a series of studies examining the exact phenomenon that shaped your (and my) overwhelming cognitive dissonance during the Super Bowl. Unlike the majority of psychological research, the results have been consistent. People like to root for the team with a competitive disadvantage.
Why do we plague ourselves with hopes that will more than likely result in disappointment? For the same reason, we choose most of the things we support. We identify with them. We value overcoming the odds and achieving what is perceived as the unachievable. That's why we supported the Falcons going in and, whether admittedly or not, found ourselves rooting for the Patriots for a few split seconds.
Unless you're a girl who was influenced by the immaculate jawline on Tom Brady, it's likely that you experienced the underdog effect because you identify with it. As you move through the week, put away your shame and recognize that reality is a matter of perception. You are the underdog in some situation or another, and you can be the Super Bowl champion of those situations. Leaving you with a Rocky quote to inspire your Monday:
It ain't about how hard you hit; it's about how hard you can get it, and keep moving forward. It's how much you can take, and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done -Rocky Balboa
Keep moving forward. When you alter your perception, overcoming odds becomes realistic.
We can all go back to hating the Patriots now.
