Losing enthusiasm for football

[The Frankish Reich]

6 hours ago, The Red King said:

'm wondering if it's worth it anymore.  If the good feelings are worth the bad feelings and time commited.  Yes, a Super Bowl win would be euphoric.  But the odds are against that.  Would anything else, even a season ending in a Super Bowl loss, be worth the time and torment invested?  It's like buying an expensive emotional lottery ticket.

The emotional lottery ticket is a feature, not a bug!

It's entertainment, not life!

 

There's no good reason why I commit to spending 3.5 hours every Sunday to watch a bunch of guys who have little or no connection to the city of my birth tug on a uniform with a stylized bison on it and pretend to be playing for the honor of Buffalo and all of Western New York. There's more reason for me to go to my kids' high school games - I actually know these kids and their families and enjoy seeing them do well. And I know they're really good kids and families, whereas if I'm a Raiders fan I might spend my time hoping that a moral abomination like Henry Ruggs succeeds on the field of play.

 

It's a game, it's a contrived emotional connection that works for me even though I know deep down it's not exactly the most important thing to spend my time thinking about. I remember (kind of) the Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. It was kind of a boring team, and if the fans of that team are honest, they'd have told you there wasn't much excitement in watching that season unfold. Super Bowl parades are kind of fun, but really, not as fun as people make them out to be (I went to a couple when I lived in other cities that actually won Super Bowls.) You stand around in the cold and get a glimpse of some guys on a truck waving. Super Bowl parades are not what makes being a fan fun. Not knowing what's going to happen week by week is what makes being a fan fun. 

Edited November 8, 2021 by The Frankish Reich

[Dr.Sack]

I watched the game on the app today while driving. Glad I didn’t get to into it, I would have crashed the car. 

[Rock-A-Bye Beasley]

7 hours ago, The Red King said:

Yeah, call it a potential overreaction to today, but even before the game started, watching felt like a chore, not a boon.

 

Football meant everything to me.  It was quality time with my dad, who taught me all about it.  One of my best memories of my dad was being together at the stadium for The Comeback.  It was in my blood.

 

But now it seems the wins feel good, but the losses feel so much worse.  I'm watching the games on my own now, my kids aren't into football.

 

My stress levels are through the roof on close games.  Today was miserable.  A loss, bad coaching, bad playing, abyssmal officiating (for the first time I am seriously wondering if the NFL is fixed/scripted).  And it's not over.  This loss is going to stay with me and haunt me.

 

I'm wondering if it's worth it anymore.  If the good feelings are worth the bad feelings and time commited.  Yes, a Super Bowl win would be euphoric.  But the odds are against that.  Would anything else, even a season ending in a Super Bowl loss, be worth the time and torment invested?  It's like buying an expensive emotional lottery ticket.

 

I'm...kinda starting to think not, that this just isn't worth it.  Anyone else feel the same, or at least understand?

Yes, I’m feeling the same way even before this game. Even when this team is winning there are often serious problems with the coaching. There’s no guarantee they’ll ever get back to another AFC championship. Rex made two and the Jags were in one fairly recently so it’s not necessarily a sign of continued success. 
 

I’ve already stopped following hockey for obvious reasons. The O’Reilly trade was the last straw. 
 

I used to be a huge baseball fan growing up and followed the Atlanta Braves. They’re the only team I’ve ever followed to win a championship, back in ‘95. After years of heartbreaking losses and just not having the time to care about 162 games plus playoffs, I stopped caring. I didn’t even watch them win World Series this year. 

 

Football is the last sport I care about, but it’s really frustrating to watch a team this talented struggle like this. The coaching decisions are mind-boggling, bordering on unacceptable at times. 

[damj]

This loss definitely took my wind out the sails

[pocoboy]

15 hours ago, The Red King said:

I'm...kinda starting to think not, that this just isn't worth it.  Anyone else feel the same, or at least understand?

 

Yep. But after every game, look at the players. Sure, they go in the locker room and put on a good show of despair and questioning. But it's a game for them.

 

For some reason it's tough to take the same attitude as a fan. Probably because most of us aren't millionaires.

[Gordio]

Yesterdays game felt like a chore watching it.  MY buddie who I go to the games with called me up in the morning and wanted to see if I wanted to go to Byrnecliff in the afternoon.  It was a beautiful day here and I probably would of but I have been fighting a head cold this week and although it was in the mid 50s and sunny here, it was a bit breezy and I didnt want to make it worse.  I don't get to upset about the losses anymore.  It used to ruin my whole week when I was younger.  Yesterday felt like a gut punch though, just a horrible game against a horrible team.  If anything though it makes that NE Monday night game a bit more interesting as that could be for first place.  

11 hours ago, IronyAbounds said:

Well, my favorite college team, my alma mater, the worst FBS team in the country, finally broke its 20 game losing streak yesterday (mostly due to Cal losing 10 starters and 24 players total to injury and Covid protocols, but still a win is a win). So yippie! Follow that up with today's absolute abomination of a Bills' game, and you have a perfect example of the roller coaster of sports. I generally just watch games where one of my teams is playing.

 

 

Yeah I know Arizona is pretty bad and they had that losing streak but believe me I gamble a lot on college football and there are a few other teams that are worst then them.  Ucon & Umass would like to say hello.  Anyways, congrats on the big win against Cal and to finally ring that victory bell, keep your chin up kid, college basketball starts this week!

[SoCal Deek]

17 minutes ago, pocoboy said:

 

Yep. But after every game, look at the players. Sure, they go in the locker room and put on a good show of despair and questioning. But it's a game for them.

 

For some reason it's tough to take the same attitude as a fan. Probably because most of us aren't millionaires.

This is what I’ve been saying for years. The Bills fans care one heck of a lot more than the players do. I’ve watched this team for over half a century and I’ve rarely seen players who take it all that personally. I want somebody to get mad!  But, I don’t think this team…and certainly NOT their coaching staff, are built for getting mad. It will be their downfall. 

[The Red King]

Thank you for the replies.  Think I'm gonna try taking a step back.  Not gonna watch the Jets game.  Will check the score on my phone from time to time.  Honestly, I already do that for the KC Royals (born in Buffalo, raised in Omaha) and the Sabres, and it seems to work well enough.

 

Gonna have to trade in my die-hard fan card, but this might well be better for me.  Thanks again!

[Billsflyer12]

I’m taking this weekend off also, need a break.  The wins don’t do anything for me anymore, even KC, and the loses are just brutal.  Just can’t keep doing this with my time and money year after year.

 

 The league itself is unwatchable at this point.  Every play there is a flag, injury or a review.  Football is a great sport, the NFL is a bad league.  I’ll stick to Saturday college football, which still is fun to me and my boys.

[Dukestreetking]

17 hours ago, The Red King said:

The KC win felt amazing.  The Titans loss was crushing.  As far as emotional high/lows, they equaled out.

I kina see what you're saying OP.

 

In that regard, Parcells (Marv?) said he knew he had to leave the game when the lows of the losses stopped overcoming the highs of the wins.

 

Maybe take @LeGOATskiadvice and step away a bit.

 

I've missed alot of game action this yr due to Sun conference calls...and honestly I feel better.

 

 

[corta765]

18 hours ago, Bangarang said:

Go watch the Sabres. That should make you feel better.

 

I kid you not on Saturday I was like "heck the Sabres haven't been bad lets give it a whirl"  10 seconds in get scored on and the 1st period was as bad as the last decade. That was all of the Sabres for me that night haha

[Buffalo ill]

In regards to the OP, right before the Steelers game I realized I just don't care much anymore.  Yes, seeing the Bills do well makes me happy, but not as much as it used to.  Their loses annoy me but not like in the past.

 

League wide poor/inconsistent officiating plays a part in it too.  That and the older I get (early 40s) the more I realize how unimportant sports entertainment is.  I might as well stop letting the Bills make or break my Sundays.

[billsfan1959]

18 hours ago, The Red King said:

Yeah, call it a potential overreaction to today, but even before the game started, watching felt like a chore, not a boon.

 

Football meant everything to me.  It was quality time with my dad, who taught me all about it.  One of my best memories of my dad was being together at the stadium for The Comeback.  It was in my blood.

 

But now it seems the wins feel good, but the losses feel so much worse.  I'm watching the games on my own now, my kids aren't into football.

 

My stress levels are through the roof on close games.  Today was miserable.  A loss, bad coaching, bad playing, abyssmal officiating (for the first time I am seriously wondering if the NFL is fixed/scripted).  And it's not over.  This loss is going to stay with me and haunt me.

 

I'm wondering if it's worth it anymore.  If the good feelings are worth the bad feelings and time commited.  Yes, a Super Bowl win would be euphoric.  But the odds are against that.  Would anything else, even a season ending in a Super Bowl loss, be worth the time and torment invested?  It's like buying an expensive emotional lottery ticket.

 

I'm...kinda starting to think not, that this just isn't worth it.  Anyone else feel the same, or at least understand?

 

A good post and something many of us have experienced at some point.

 

It really is about finding a balance. Everyone experiences their "fandom" differently. I am competitive and passionate by nature, and I learned long ago that my passion for my sports teams really had an impact on my life in general, in terms of game days and losses - in ways I didn't really like. I don't think you can ever stop being a fan or having an emotional investment in the teams you root for (at least for "diehard" fans); however, you can modify the way in which you choose to follow or "experience" your team(s) to achieve a better emotional balance.

 

I was one of those fans that had to find a better balance and I have. I find I deal with gamedays and losses better. I started my Bills fandom sharing it with my father (who passed away in 2016) and now primarily share it with my son who is married with a life of his own. My "adjustments" in how I follow the Bills have made sharing it with my son even more enjoyable.

 

I will say that I broke one of my rules and visited this site the day after a loss. I rarely do.

 

Anyway, I hope you can find that balance, my friend.

[TBBills]

18 hours ago, The Red King said:

Yeah, call it a potential overreaction to today, but even before the game started, watching felt like a chore, not a boon.

 

Football meant everything to me.  It was quality time with my dad, who taught me all about it.  One of my best memories of my dad was being together at the stadium for The Comeback.  It was in my blood.

 

But now it seems the wins feel good, but the losses feel so much worse.  I'm watching the games on my own now, my kids aren't into football.

 

My stress levels are through the roof on close games.  Today was miserable.  A loss, bad coaching, bad playing, abyssmal officiating (for the first time I am seriously wondering if the NFL is fixed/scripted).  And it's not over.  This loss is going to stay with me and haunt me.

 

I'm wondering if it's worth it anymore.  If the good feelings are worth the bad feelings and time commited.  Yes, a Super Bowl win would be euphoric.  But the odds are against that.  Would anything else, even a season ending in a Super Bowl loss, be worth the time and torment invested?  It's like buying an expensive emotional lottery ticket.

 

I'm...kinda starting to think not, that this just isn't worth it.  Anyone else feel the same, or at least understand?

5-3 and you are losing your enthusiasm... You seem to have more serious problems than football.

[The Red King]

On 11/8/2021 at 11:25 AM, TBBills said:

5-3 and you are losing your enthusiasm... You seem to have more serious problems than football.

 

Did you even read the thread?  The win/loss record has nothing to do with it.  Stop reading thread titles and knee-jerk posting to them.

[TheBrownBear]

I feel you, OP.  As we get older and we have so many other responsibilities and hobbies or whatnot, it's painful to spend 3-4 hours of your weekend alone watching your team lose to the Jaguars or struggle to sneak by the Fins.  I often find myself just watching portions of the game now - maybe just one half, and then spending the rest of that time doing something with the kids, going for a bike ride/workout/hike or playing golf.  I still get amped for the primetime games and my family will typically play along and watch them with me, which makes it a little more fun - even if my rotten kids root for the other team just to needle me...lol.

 

Give yourself a two week break from watching and see how you feel about it.  Go do something you really enjoy during the game or something you know is good for you.  Sometimes a break is all you need to rekindle your enthusiasm.  Or maybe you'll find that your life is enriched by substituting something else for football watching.

Edited November 10, 2021 by TheBrownBear

[Straight Hucklebuck]

Bills still have the #1 scoring defense in the league by a nice margin.

[Governor]

It’s a highly overrated roster. Having a good QB causes people to just fixate on that position and nothing else.

[Saint Doug]

I’ve been feeling this as well. Never when I was younger though. The loses just seem to sting much more than they used too and the wins aren’t giving me as much joy. Not sure why this is, but it has me questioning my time spent on Sundays. Could have a lot to do with having a lot of stress in my life now though. 

Edited November 10, 2021 by Saint Doug

[Augie]

On 11/7/2021 at 4:43 PM, Freak-O said:

It's called getting older. Everything feels less important than it used to. 

 

Making it to the bathroom in time still feels important to me. 

 

But that is waning just a bit…….