Read Sports Geek’s argument that it is okay to root for your sworn enemy and Bleacher Fan’s argument that you should never root for your sworn enemy.
Ahhhh, rivalries! It is amazing how much rivalries energize any sport. It brings out the passion for all fans! You hate them, and they hate you. There is one week a year that you do not speak to your brother, since you root for Auburn and he roots for Alabama. Perhaps you are a big Red Sox fan, but your wife is from the Bronx. Maybe you grew up in Ohio and rooted for the Buckeyes but your best friend absolutely loves the Wolverines (how you and this person became friends is beyond me.) All of these examples present challenges. These rivalries, and many others, definitely make a fan not want to shake an opponent’s hand before a game, as happened in many games this past weekend. It has nothing to do with sportsmanship, but everything to do with thoroughly not liking the guys lining up on the other side.
But sometimes, there is a dilemma.
Sometimes, fans need that team to win a game in order to reach team goals. Perhaps, as a Browns fan, you need Pittsburgh to beat the Jets in order to have the Browns qualify for the playoffs. Maybe as a Tar Heels fan, you need Duke to knock off Wake Forest in order to lock up the number one seed in the ACC Basketball Tournament. At the end of this NFL season, maybe Green Bay needs Minnesota to beat the New York Giants in order to qualify for the postseason (this could happen… check the NFL schedule.) These rivalry situations really pose legitimate dilemmas for fans. What do you do?
Entering from stage left is The Sports Debates.
Today’s question: Is it ever suitable for fans to root for their archrival?
Sports Geek will argue that it is okay for fans to root for their sworn enemy as long as it benefits their favorite team. Bleacher Fan, will argue that it is NEVER – under any circumstances – acceptable to root for a sworn enemy.
I encourage both parties to use specific examples regarding their favorite teams and their sworn enemies. We also encourage reader feedback. If you are Redskins fan, can you root for the Cowboys under any circumstance? We always love hearing from you!
In the meantime, the floor is yours Bleacher Fan. Start us off!
