Here is an article I wrote for my local paper, The Lewiston Tribune, that was published today and I thought you might embrace….

Recently, I attended a Seahawks game with some very good friends of mine. The atmosphere was electric in the stadium and within my group. It was a good time for everyone – unless of course you happened to be a fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

One member of the group I was with really caught my eye, and my heart. He has been a fan of the Seahawks for his whole 23 years of life. He never has played football. He has a very common job in the valley. He graduated from the local high school. He has a girlfriend. He is your average man, but he is also a fan, and he was at his first game.

The night before the game began, he was ready for it to begin. It was like watching a child the night before Christmas. My friend’s anxiousness was infectious. All he could talk about on the ride over was the game and how he “was ready!” He’s a fan.

The day of the game, he vaulted out of bed and wanted to get to the stadium immediately. It didn’t even matter to him that the gates wouldn’t even open for several hours. He was ready. He’s a fan.

At the game, his excitement was off the charts. His being a fan was, to sum it up, awesome to watch.

He watched each play as though there would be an exam at the conclusion of the game. He yelled, respectfully, at the refs when they blew a call. He high-fived. He screamed. He cheered. He wondered out loud how people had the audacity to leave the game early – even though the game was completely out of hand. He’s a fan.

Being a fan had built his hopes up for years. Being a fan had made him travel for hours upon hours to the game. Being a fan had got him to the stadium. Being a fan gave him something. Being a fan had driven him to this point. Being a fan would make his day, his week, his month, his year, maybe even his life, whole. He’s a fan.

Watching him made me wonder. Is he over the top? Is his behavior “normal?”

My friend is perhaps a little over the top, but I believe being a fan should be encouraged.

It is always talked about how much sports can do for the athlete; what about what sports can do for the fan?

Being a fan has given my friend, and others, drive, motivation, desire and hope for years. That is what sports can do.

It is OK to allow yourself to be a fan. Encourage your children to be fans. Show them the proper way and lead the way. Being a fan is just as much a part of the game as the players are in sports.

It’s OK to get “really into” a team. It’s OK to show your pride by wearing a jersey. It’s great to feel the ecstasy when your team does well or the pain when they don’t. That is life, sports are life and being a fan is a part of sports.

Be a fan. Cheer. Cry. Yell. Scream. Wonder. Anticipate. Be a fan.

Maybe one day, someone will be a fan of you.

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