What does it mean to be a true fan? People become fans of sports teams for a number of different reasons. Some people choose a team just because of a specific player they like to watch. Others have a family lineage where several generations have been following the same team. Some just pick a team because they want to be different. What ever the reason a true fan should pick a team and stick with it.
My favorite sports team is the New York Yankees. When I was in the second grade a 21-year-old rookie shortstop named Derek Jeter hit a game tying home run in the playoffs. The Yankees went on to win the game, the series, and four out of the next five World Series. Although I was only 7 years old that one event has stuck with me and I have followed the Yankees ever since. I have my reason for following the Yankees but sometimes it can be confusing as to what being a true fan really means.
Many sports fans believe if you live somewhere you are immediately a fan of that team. For example, if someone in Utah follows the Jazz, goes to Jazz games, and purchases Jazz memorabilia that person is a true fan. However, if a fan only becomes interested in the Jazz during the playoffs when the team is suddenly good the person is not a true fan. True fans pick a team for one reason and stick with that team through the good and the bad. Some people just wait until a big game like the Super Bowl and after the team wins they buy a brand new cap. They change teams more frequently than they change underwear.
Just because a person has never been to New York does not mean they are not a true fan of the Yankees. For sports fans across the country there are not teams in every city or even state. Some big cities have multiple teams that even play at the same stadiums. Some fans follow teams because of a favorite player, then switch when the player goes somewhere else. This is still showing loyalty as long as there is a good reason for switching teams.
If we all cheered for the same team sports would not only be boring, but sports would also not be as exciting. In order to become a true fan you must remain loyal to the team or player you have chosen. Remember a true fan stays loyal no matter if the team is in first or last place. If you claim to be a real fan of one team please follow the team all the time. If you are not a true fan please save yourself the embarrassment and explain you only bought the cap you are wearing because it looks good.
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