According to Hofmann: The sliding scale of fandom
Well, ladies and gents, it appears that Superbowl Sunday is again upon us, but it seems that more and more, it无毛视频檚 become increasingly difficult to be excited about the Big Game无毛视频nless that game is a version of Jenga where the pieces are so large, a collapse could mean certain death.
Anyway, my shameful fantasies aside, I struggle to find any enjoyment from all things that surrounds the Super Bowl any more.
For example, the commercials used to be a pleasant treat during the breaks in the game, but then the internet came around and just showed all the commercials weeks before the game, then the morning television shows started showing them a week before and even the guy at the water cooler tells you about all the commercials in great detail the Friday before.
That无毛视频檚 like watching your parents wrap your presents before your birthday while telling you what and who to expect at your surprise party.
Even those seven people in the country who actually watch and enjoy the halftime shows had their surprise spoiled as 无毛视频渓eaked无毛视频� video of the rehearsals made their way on national television.
I, as a fat slob, can无毛视频檛 even get excited about eating during the Super Bowl anymore because some statistical idiot on TV always has to point out the staggering number of how many chicken wings, guacamole, pizza and Beluga caviar soft tacos are consumed on Sunday, making my cuisine choices seem unoriginal.
But what I无毛视频檓 focusing on is the fandom as I always start to think about what it means to be a fan of a sport like football, hockey, baseball, basketball and men无毛视频檚 indoor lacrosse when it无毛视频檚 playoff time.
I don无毛视频檛 know if what I无毛视频檝e named The Sliding Scale of Fandom is universal or not or if it无毛视频檚 just something me and the sports fans around me practice, but I无毛视频檓 gonna to tell you about it.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have had their ups and downs this season for sure and as a fan, I have been loyal, ultra critical and a bit suicidal throughout the regular season.
However, that loyalty is kicked into high gear whenever your team enters the playoffs, but when they don无毛视频檛 make it in or when they无毛视频檙e eliminated early, that无毛视频檚 when The Sliding Scale of Fandom comes into play because you still enjoy watching the sport, but your heart无毛视频檚 not into it, but you still have to root for a team or you feel like you might as well be watching livestock being herded on and off a field with a crappy concert wedged in the middle.
While all other teams in either division are your team无毛视频檚 enemies, you find your alliances going toward the team that takes out the teams that happen to be your team无毛视频檚 worst enemies.
For me, that was clearly the Tennessee Titans in the playoffs as they managed to take out both the Patriots and the Ravens on back-to-back weeks. I无毛视频檓 actually surprised that a Titans-themed bar didn无毛视频檛 spring up in Pittsburgh as a way to celebrate that accomplishment.
Now, if the fallback team you无毛视频檝e chosen actually falls back in a swimming pool full of failure and doesn无毛视频檛 make it to the Super Bowl, then I tend to look at different criteria to root for the team to bring home (their home, not mine) the big prize.
So, when the Titans were defeated by the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving the Chiefs to face off against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVKSEJIXII, fans of neither team have to take a moment and weigh certain factors in picking the team they want to support.
Such routes include, but are not limited to, but can certainly go above and beyond the call of duty无毛视频�
The sure thing: 无毛视频淚无毛视频檓 not rooting for any losers this year! Since Kansas City is favored by 1.5 points to win even though scoring half a point is impossible, go Chiefs!无毛视频�
The underdog: 无毛视频淭he Chiefs are -120 on the money line, so let无毛视频檚 go Chiefs! Oh, that无毛视频檚 right, I forgot how odds work. Go 49ers!无毛视频�
Geographic location: 无毛视频淪an Francisco is only 2,577 miles from Pittsburgh, but Kansas City is only 840 miles away, so let无毛视频檚 go Chiefs!无毛视频�
The most deserved: 无毛视频淜ansas City hasn无毛视频檛 been to a Super Bowl in 50 years? Well, then go Chiefs, I guess!无毛视频�
The stats calculator: The Chief无毛视频檚 quarterback has a passer rating? of ?108.9, ?76 touchdowns and 18 interceptions, ?9,412 passing yards with 65.9 percent completion, but the 49er无毛视频檚 quarterback stats include a 100.0 passer rating with ?6,946 passing yards, a 67.5 completion percentage, so, logic suggests I have to root for无毛视频he Detroit Lions. Maybe I misplaced a decimal point somewhere.
The emotional connection: 无毛视频淎we无毛视频he Chief无毛视频檚 quarterback helps build houses for veterans in his spare time! But无毛视频揳we!无毛视频搕he 49er无毛视频檚 quarterback is involved in Make-A-Wish无毛视频aybe I无毛视频檒l just watch it for the commercials this year无毛视频ven though I无毛视频檝e seen them seven times already.无毛视频�
According to Hofmann is written by staff reporter Mark Hofmann of Rostraver Township. He co-hosts the 无毛视频淟ocally Yours无毛视频� radio show on WMBS 590 AM every Friday. His book, 无毛视频漇tupid Brain,无毛视频� is available on Amazon.com.