It should go without saying, since I'm posting on a football discussion board, that I love football - primarily, professional football (of the NFL variety). I'm curious to know, from it's biggest fans (like what I would find here), whether you view your NFL - and particularly, Patriots' - fandom as an identity or as entertainment. Here's what I mean.
Identity: I am all wrapped up in Patriots' football. I live, breathe, sleep it. When they win, I am elated; when they lose, I am crushed. I talk smack to fans of other teams and proudly wear my Patriots' gear around. I am fully invested in the success of the Patriots from an emotional standpoint. I *am* Patriots football.
Entertainment: I love watching the NFL and, specifically, my favorite team, the Patriots. I enjoy the drama of athletic competition. I am amazed at what these athletes are able to do (like watching Gronk flip on his head for a TD). I thoroughly enjoy Patriots' wins and am bummed about Patriots' losses, but in the end, all I ask is that I am entertained - that they give me a good effort and make my investment of time worth it.
So, full disclosure. I used to be more on the "identity" side of things, but after the 2007 Super Bowl, I have moved towards the "entertainment" side of things. It's not that I'm disinterested or unaffected by the outcomes of Pats' games. I just don't live and die by it like I used to. For my money, the Patriots, over the last 11 years, have provided me with unparalleled sports entertainment. They not only win a lot; they win in spectacular fashion. They have had some of the best players doing the most exciting things. It is the very best form of "reality" television. You don't know the outcome, but just like I'm not crushed if one dude from Survivor doesn't win, I'm not crushed if the Patriots don't win (though, obviously, I'm more emotionally connected to the Pats than to a Survivor contestant, for example). I may be really disappointed, but not crushed.
I do not think there is a "right" answer to this: I just know that for me, the move towards "entertainment" has been good for my health.
Identity: I am all wrapped up in Patriots' football. I live, breathe, sleep it. When they win, I am elated; when they lose, I am crushed. I talk smack to fans of other teams and proudly wear my Patriots' gear around. I am fully invested in the success of the Patriots from an emotional standpoint. I *am* Patriots football.
Entertainment: I love watching the NFL and, specifically, my favorite team, the Patriots. I enjoy the drama of athletic competition. I am amazed at what these athletes are able to do (like watching Gronk flip on his head for a TD). I thoroughly enjoy Patriots' wins and am bummed about Patriots' losses, but in the end, all I ask is that I am entertained - that they give me a good effort and make my investment of time worth it.
So, full disclosure. I used to be more on the "identity" side of things, but after the 2007 Super Bowl, I have moved towards the "entertainment" side of things. It's not that I'm disinterested or unaffected by the outcomes of Pats' games. I just don't live and die by it like I used to. For my money, the Patriots, over the last 11 years, have provided me with unparalleled sports entertainment. They not only win a lot; they win in spectacular fashion. They have had some of the best players doing the most exciting things. It is the very best form of "reality" television. You don't know the outcome, but just like I'm not crushed if one dude from Survivor doesn't win, I'm not crushed if the Patriots don't win (though, obviously, I'm more emotionally connected to the Pats than to a Survivor contestant, for example). I may be really disappointed, but not crushed.
I do not think there is a "right" answer to this: I just know that for me, the move towards "entertainment" has been good for my health.
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