Only guesses on my part… Sports are an ‘escape,’ and there always seems a lot to escape from.. Sports represent combat; I recently had confirmed what I’d long suspected about ‘american football’ being designed to ‘toughen and prepare college students for battle.’ There are a lot of personality disorders in which ‘figures and numbers’ give relief… my father falls into that group, following ‘sport statistics’ seems a necessity to him..

Weird regional rivalries … as you’ll see with ‘british soccer,’ actually having to erect cage barriers between ‘fans’ (Fans, being an abbreviation for ‘fanatics!’ ) I think there’s also a draw to the mob mentality, being in ‘a majority,’ and wittessing battle. Christians being fed to lions would have been a spectacle!

Personally, commercial sports make me sick.. I’ve no idea who’s the current ‘world champs’ in ..boxing, soccer, basketball, america brawl-ball or baseball … and I’d played some serious baseball.. To me, get out there! But to pay, or drive across the country ..to watch something you can’t effect..? Nuts ~

[we need a preview... having to edit out hieroglyphics created by punctuation combinations alone...]

Have no idea .I wouldn’ even travel to the living room

I'm no athlete. But I appreciate sports and play a team sports.

I like sports for the state of mind I get into when I play sports - especially team sports. It's zen like. It's similar to working out but different in that you're relying on others to achieve a goal. And that connection you have with teammates, especially when a play happens in the space of a few seconds without anyone verbally directing others, is a buzz. I'm not an NFL fan, but I can appreciate that even if a play starts of structured, it's not successful unless the quarter back has that innate connection with his blockers and his runners.

And because of that appreciation to sport, I enjoy watching my sport and like supporting my team by watching them at the stadium.

Fan support can be a factor to winning or losing. There were many times when I've noticed players get energized from the crowd, especially if they direct it themselves, and claw out a win. It's not the only factor to winning, of course, But it helps.

But I'm no fanatic. E.g. I don't understand how one group of supporters can justify brawling with another group of supporters.

I have zero interest in watching sports.

It's entertainment and an escape for a few hours. It makes people feel good. It connects people who also like it. Some people live vicariously through athletes. And I'm sure there are more reasons why people like it. Why does anyone like anything? It's the idiots that ruin it for everyone.

In my opinion, it's a remnant of a primitive instinct.
The need to support your team/tribe because no one can be better.
If that makes sense.

It is totally beyond my comprehension. I have absolutely no interest in any sports. If I enjoy doing something, I want to be on the field doing it and not in the bleachers watching it. To each his on.

Sorry, can't help on this question (as if I can on any). I think Mr. Martin hit it on the head, though. But, as to how people get that fanatical? No clue.

well, as another local resident, albeit one living in St. Paul, it is starting to remind me of the RNC in 2008. I needed to go near Loring Park this afternoon, and seeing Blackhawks flying around, as well as military HumVees, etc, I cannot help but wonder, is this worth it?

no idea, sport bores me totally,

It's there religion. It's a commitment ranked higher than their baby's christening. It's their community, their life. This bigger than their Senior Prom/

we are cut from the same cloth.