Embed from Getty Images Before one becomes a sports writer, they usually start out as fans. And that’s why we’re going back to our roots, discussing our lives as fans. Whether it’s how stars interact with fans or the concept of fandom itself, we’re writing about what fandom means to us. From legacy fans to fans of teams from out-of-state, it’s important to look at the role of fans in…
If I realized one thing this year, through a class which analyzes sports culture to a pulp, it’s that sports are merely an idea, nevertheless, an idea American as apple pie. Sports are a democratic function, every single one of them runs itself and only itself. From grassroots to glass roofs, nobody is forcing you to play sports, even that overly passionate high school wrestling coach can’t force you into…
For many Americans, sports fandom is a family tradition, passed down like an old antique. You’re not sure who bought it, and even if it’s outdated or simply awful, it better be in your home or you know you’re going to get crap from dad at Thanksgiving. In football, a team in the league is like its own dysfunctional family and a big part of that identity are the fans,…
I was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. I will always be a big Chicago guy, because it’s home. It’s my city. I was born and bred in the cold weather, in the wind, in the middle of dynasties and the love of multiple teams. Because of this, I am first and foremost a Chicago Blackhawks fan. A Chicago White Sox fan. Embed from Getty Images But I also support…
A legacy is the child of a graduate- whether that is a high school, college, Greek Chapter or sport. If your parents did it before you, you’re a legacy. In most cases, if you’re the legacy of a college grad it might be a factor helping you get into your parents’ Alma Mater- especially if they are making annual donations or had an impact on the school in some way-…
Social media presence is especially huge for professional athletes. It’s a benefit for the fans to have more insight on how their favorite players are doing, and it’s a benefit for the players to show other sides of who they are besides exclusively being an athlete. People such as Damian Lillard, Blazers’ starting point guard, has used social media to establish his rap career. By rapping on his Instagram, people…
