Clinton: For The Love of Sports

By Adrianna Clinton
Copy Editor

These people do not have a clue who I am, yet I have one of the greatest and most intense
relationships with them. I tweet to them on Twitter after tough losses or amazing wins,
feeling heartbroken when they go unanswered. I anticipate games as if they are Christmas
morning. I remember certain plays from five years ago rather than my extended family’s
birthdays. Their jobs have consumed my life.

My interest in athletes could be considered unhealthy by non-sports fans, but the
die hard supporters of any team can relate to my trials and tribulations as a sports fanatic.

Over the course of baseball and college football seasons, I have laughed, cried,
jumped for joy, thrown Tom Brady-esque temper tantrums, and screamed my head off at
officials when they blow a call. When my team messes up, I have the desire to start playing
for them and try to change the scoreboard. Unfortunately, I am forced to watch their
mistakes from my home many miles away.

I have witnessed so many great things in result of my sports obsession. I have
watched Michael Phelps become the most decorated Olympian of all time when his team
and he took the gold medal in the London Olympics in the 4x100 medley relay. I saw the
Saints win the Super Bowl for their city after 42 losing seasons and Hurricane Katrina.
The UConn vs. Florida State game was on my TV when the UConn girls won their 89th
consecutive game, a record in NCAA basketball history. One of the best moments in my life
was when the Orioles eliminated the Red Sox from playoff contention in the 2011 season.

Sports for me are not always about the athletes making millions of dollars or the
incredible athleticism, or even about my teams’ successes or lack thereof. The inspirational
backstories of where that athlete came from and the adversities faced in their life fuel my
obsession. Even though at the end of the day my over-enthusiastic support will neither help
nor hurt the team I’m supporting, because I can’t imagine life without sports.