Whether it is heating up the grill for a tailgate, bringing in the salsa for a game night, buying season tickets or stocking up on new fan gear for a favorite team, many people are ecstatic about their team's new season. What makes sports so great? Why do we buy into it every year? For many people, it is more than just a game.
The idea of competing for sport has been around for thousands of years. In 776 BC, the first Olympic Games were held in Ancient Greece. The games consisted of human and chariot racing, in addition to Olympic events we're familiar with today —jumping, wrestling, throwing the discus and javelin.
The popular sports of today, though the idea of soccer and hockey were hinted at in early sixth century BC, primarily originated in the 19th century. Such sports, starting in a backyard or field with a ball and simple objective, have become one of the most popular forms of entertainment in the world.
As the evolution of sports progressed, many heart-pounding performances over the years have made fans go berserk in the stands. Many games stood for more than a simple match, but were a statement for a community or race. For example, in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Jesse Owens showed Adolf Hitler his superiority on the track, leaving with four gold medals.
Other iconic moments include Muhammed Ali lighting the torch during the 1996 Olympics, and Tommie Smith and John Carlos holding their fist in the air promoting black power for the 1968 Summer Games. These memories are planted in the minds of sports fans because of how loud their actions transcended the game.
There is a ton of hard work and dedication that takes place on a team. For example, a typical student athlete will have workouts, conditioning, meetings, practice, treatment and film study. There are mental barriers an athlete must overcome each season to be great. Spectators only see what happens on game day but respect the work ethic it takes to perform regardless.
Do we love sports because we understand the struggle? So many parents are dialed into the sport their child plays, whether it is peewee, high school, collegiate or professional. Thousands of college students are dialed into the traditions and customs of their university as well. Week after week students show up at their school's games proving that they are die-hard fans.
In 1978, former communications director Bill Rasmussen founded ESPN, changing the world of sports with America’s first 24-hour sports network. Now the worldwide leader in sports, ESPN lets fans know detailed information about their team, when they are playing, press conferences, interviews and injury updates. A player could sneeze and you might get info on their current medical condition.
Through Facebook, Twitter and other social media, the public has access to what their favorite player is thinking and doing. We see family photos and funny poses from our biggest idols in sports. This level of connection can help a fan love a sport more because they feel close with the team and fan base.
It seems as if a person’s love for a game can be based on the impact a player has on their team. Lebron James in Cleveland, Usain Bolt for Jamaica or any Heisman trophy winner will dramatically increase that fan base. It encourages the environment around them to reach for the same success, both in sports and in their careers. The entertaining thing about sports is amazement at what hard work can accomplish.
