They lost!

When your team loses you go through a range of emotions.  Whether they lose the championship game (*cough* ), or they lose the game that would have kept them in the playoff race (*cough* ), or they can't win a game to save their lives (*cough* ) the cycle remains the same.

The first phase is pure, uninhibited anger.

If they played a particularly frustrating game, or one of great significance, or a game against a rival, this anger is often accompanied by:

Once the anger has subsided you're ready to move into the next phase.

Reasoning

You begin to make excuses for your team.  You say, "Well, if our star player hadn't gotten that paper cut before the game he would have scored more points."  Or, "If the refs hadn't been so biased, we easily could have won."

After reasoning, you realize it doesn't matter what could have happened because your team still lost.  You then move into the third phase.

Depression

The reality of the loss hits, and the sadness sinks in.  

 

You wallow, you moan, you drive your co-workers crazy, then one day you wake up and realize there's still the next season or the next game, and you're ready to move into phase four.

Acceptance

That moment, just before game time, when you realize you love your team.  Win or lose, you're their fan and you will be there to cheer for them.  Every game.

What to do if the guy in your life doesn't like sports

Recently I came across an article on rantsports.com which outlined 11 tips for getting your girlfriend to like sports.  I've been a sports fan since childhood; before I knew that girls weren't supposed to like sports, and before I knew that at some point I might think that boys exist for more than making mud pies with.  I never had to be convinced that sports were something to be enjoyed, but I do have brothers that have need convincing.  Go figure, right?  I have five brothers and only one is as into sports as I am (he's actually even more into them than me).  I thought maybe I could take these tips and use them for my bros that need converting.

11.  Read (his) mood:

You want him to be in a relaxed state of mind with few distractions or stressors present.  This will allow him to be open to learning and enjoying new things.

10.  Don't throw too much at (him) at once:

No one wants to feel like they need to take notes in order to enjoy a new hobby.  Once he's got the basics, you can explain the intricacies of a flea-flicker, or what exactly a zone defense is.

9.  Have alternate activities at the ready:

Games are often long, and sometimes there is more down-time than action, which can leave the novice spectator wishing they had ANYTHING else to hold their attention.  Have some fall-back activities ready, whether it's a book or magazine, or an electronic game, he'll be grateful for the alternatives.

8.  Cuddling and foot rubs:

This one needs no altering.  Cuddling and foot rubs make any activity better, and it's not just for women.  In my experience, men love physical intimacy as much as women do, and it can be a great incentive for helping a dude watch sports with you.

7.  Make it a party, cook for (him):

They say the easiest way to a man's heart is through his stomach.  If you can get a guy to watch a game with you, providing food will make it all the more enjoyable for him, and more likely to continue to watch sports with you.  Word of caution: depending on your skills in the kitchen he may always want you to cook for him.

6.  Tell him how sports bring people together:

If you haven't read my previous post (Yeah BYU!!!) already, this is the best time to do so.  This post outlines the best ways in which sports brings people together and creates lasting memories.

5.  Create good guys and bad guys:

Nothing clutches emotions quite like a good hero.  If there is something especially great about your team, or someone on your team, tell this to your guy.  Or, if there is something especially terrible about the opposing team or a member of that team, that will work equally as well.  Creating a good vs. evil scenario helps viewers quickly become invested in the game.

4.  Get (him) involved in a fantasy sports league or football pool:

Fantasy leagues are another great way to get to bring people together.  Participating on a fantasy team together allows the two of you to bond the way teammates do, and will allow him to feel more connected to the game.

3.  Sports movies:

Sports movies are a great introduction to the sport itself.  The behind-the-scenes information and story lines that make these movies so great build interest in the sport before the game begins.  Stay tuned for a list of my top ten all-time greatest sports movies.

2.  Get him hanging out with your game friends:

Getting him out with your friends will help him feel part of your circle.  Hopefully he'll also begin to bond with your friends which will make him more excited to get together for the game.

1.  Return the favor:

The greatest incentive for getting anyone to get involved with your interests and hobbies is the promise that you'll do the same for them.  Whatever your guy's hobbies include, if you put time and interest into them he'll be happy to do the same for you.

Hoop Dreams

With the tip-off to the NBA regular-season games right around the corner, and my Utah Jazz opening their season against the Oklahoma City Thunder, I thought it would be a good time to talk about my hoop dream. Several months ago, out of the blue, I had a dream about Kevin Durant.  In my dream he was over at my house and we were playing some kind of NBA video game.  As we were about to start a new game we had to pick our teams, but before picking Kevin got up to get something to drink.  He told me to pick his team for him, and after asking him who he wanted all he said was, "Anybody but Westbrook."  I now have to laugh to myself every time I see Kevin Durant as if we now share some kind of inside joke.

Yeah BYU!!!

Sports have long been touted as ways for kids to develop a team mentality, learn hand-eye coordination, and build habits to promote healthy living among other things.  With my dad out of town this weekend, though, I realized something else sports do; they bring people together.

Watching sports together is one of my dad's and my favorite pastimes.  It's one of the only ways we bond anymore.  And when he's gone, the game just doesn't feel the same.  So after Brigham Young University won a big game, I didn't feel much like celebrating.  I turned the TV off and moved on to something else, then I got a text from my dad, "Yeah BYU!!!"

The game wasn't aired in Louisiana, but he saw the score scroll across the bottom of the screen and wanted to share his happiness with me.  This isn't the first time we've had to share post-game bliss from miles apart.  We try to text each other at the end of the game every time one of us is out of town, because we know the other was watching, alone.

I was also reminded of the other times I've used texting about sports to build rapport and strengthen relationships.  Last Sunday I texted a friend whose team got spanked.  The text simply read, "Mother effing Broncos."  She replied and our conversation ended with us deciding we will need to form a support group if we are going to get through the season.

Football talk has also helped build a new relationship with a former co-worker.  He consoles me when my team loses, and I celebrate with him when his team wins. :)  I cheer for the teams my friends like, and jokingly tease the friends whose teams are my team's rivals.

If you ask me, sports brings people together better than a dinner party, better than mani-pedis with the girls, and better than gossiping over Sunday morning brunch.