The Sports Chameleon

Somethings are meant to be.  Two weeks ago, I had no intention of being in Chicago last week.  But when all of my siblings contacted me independently to ask that I join their Easter gathering in Chicago, it was hard to say no.  My 2.5 day trip involved a plane ride, an 'L' ride, and a Megabus ride.  While in Chicago, a friend unexpectedly called us up to say he had come across 4 free tickets to the Bulls playoff game.  We accepted, and learned that they happened to be at center court, in the eleventh row.  That same day, my brother-in-laws Joakim Noah jersey arrived just in time for me to wear to the game...coincidence?...yep.  I got to watch the Chicago Bulls clinch their first round series against the Pacers in convincing fashion with my twin brother and two of my best friends, in Governor Ryan's old seats, just a few rows behind Rahm Emanuel and Jesse Jackson.  The experience quickly vaulted to the top of the list of my favorite live sporting events.

A funny thing happened in the third quarter, as things got a little close.  I was clearly going to root for the Bulls in this game, being the home team and the favorite team of the friends I was with, but in the third quarter, I really started rooting for them.  I yelled at the officials for continuing to enable Tyler Hansbrough's one discernible skill-pretending to get fouled.  I waved my towel and roared with the crowd as Derrick Rose did his best Derrick Rose impersonation (that is to say, I've never seen anyone like him).  And then a thought occurred to me.  In two weeks, should these Bulls meet the Celtics in the conference finals, I will root against this same team with the same passion I rooted for them.  What does this mean?  I will extol Glen Davis for doing Tyler Hansbrough-like things.  I will argue that Rondo is the superior point guard, not Derrick Rose.  Is something wrong with me?

In the midst of my confusion, I figured out the answer to the question I've been wrestling with since my move to Minnesota.  What kind of fan am I?  The answer:  I am a sports chameleon.

My normal color?  Red Sox/Bills/Celtics/Huskers/Huskies.  Change my environment and you might see a totally different color, the occasional Vikings purple or Bulls red, and a whole lot of Timberwolves blue.  And I am ok with this.  Sports fans come in all types.

1. The Loyalist-Other teams don't exist.  Would never choose another team to play with in a video game even if that means playing Madden with Ryan Fitzpatrick as your quarterback.
Would say things like: "I love the A's way too much to ever wear a Pirates hat, I mean what if they meet in the World Series someday."

2.   The Localist-Only cares about the teams in his/her city.  Constant exposure either leads to extreme pessimism or delusional optimism.
Would say things like: "Jay Cutler is the worst quarterback in the history of the NFL, the Bears have no shot with him."
or, "I like Jay Cutler, he may not be perfect, but at least he gives us a shot."

3.  The Elitist-only loyal to talent and success.  Yankee hat, Kobe jersey, Lebron shoes.
Would say things like: "I've been a Heat fan since 2010."

4.  The A-Gamer-Cares about sports, but has little use for the regular season, particularly when the team stinks.
Would say things like: "I don't listen to bad music, or go to bad movies, why should I watch bad sports."

5.  The Sportscenter Anchor-Doesn't care about the teams, just wants the best story.  No cheering in the press box.
Would say things like: "I can't wait for another Celtics-Lakers matchup, Shaq going for ring number 5 to keep Kobe from ring number 6."

6.  The Fairweather Fan- Like an A-List fan, except without any real knowledge of sports.
Would say things like: "The Vikings are doing so great this year, I love Brent Favre."

7.  The Specialist-  A loyalist, but really only cares about one team.
Would say thing like:  "The Huskers third string long-snapper looked great in the spring game."

8.  The Warlock- Really only cares about fantasy sports.
Would say things like: "I hope the Colts win, but I wouldn't mind if Matt Schaub put up some big numbers."

9.  The Glutton For Punishment
Would say things like: "Go Cubs Go"

10.  The Sports Chameleon.  This is where I fit in, something of a hybrid of all of the above.  I care deeply about my teams, but don't hate all other teams.  I know less about my teams than a loyalist or a specialist, but have enough general knowledge about their teams to have reasoned conversations with them.  I appreciate elite talent, but resent those who easily hop from team to team.  I get caught up in the moment the way an a-gamer or fairweather fan does, it's just that that I also care about the Timberwolves-Warriors mid-February matchup.  I love fantasy sports for the way it connects me to my friends and more obscure teams.  And I know a thing or two about punishment as a Bills fan.

This week I was all red, waving the towel, sporting the Noah jersey, and having the time of my life.  In a couple weeks I'll be all green and saying things like this, "Joakim Noah? Never liked that guy, dirty player" as I wear my Celtics hat with KG's number on it.  It may strike you as inauthentic, but it allows me to enjoy sports in any and every circumstance, while always knowing my true colors.