I think...

[Earendil]

(12-07-2021, 03:15 PM)fredtoast Wrote: I have an interesting story about this.

In 2006 we started the season very impressive.  We beat a playoff bound Chiefs team by 13 points on the road at a time when they had one of the biggest home field advantages in the league. We blew out the Browns at PBS, and then we beat the defending Super Bowl Champion Steelers by 8 on their home field.  We were the media darlings and Sports Illustrated had us ranked as the #1 team in the entire league.

Then the Pats came to PBS and kicked the shit our of us 38-13.  Based on my expectations it was one of the toughest losses I had ever experienced.  Usually I would have gotten roaring drunk and bitched and moaned on the message boards all night after a game like that.  But at the time my daughter was 2.  She had been wanting to play with me all day.  It must have been a late afternoon game because I remember going outside and eating cookies with her while we watched the sun set. As long as I live I will never forget thinking how stupid I was to get so upset over a football game.  

That was a big turning point for me as a sports fan.  I still get thrilled and excited during games.  And tough losses still hit me hard in the gut.  But when the game is over I move on.  As fans we have absolutely zero effect on who wins.  So you have to realize it is just a game and not let it ruin your whole day (or week).

That being said, if she had been at my house after the playoff loss to the Steelers in '15 I might have just punched her in the face.

I'm kind of the same way, minus wanting to punch my daughter in the face.

I get excited when they win and I certainly don't like when they lose.  But it doesn't piss me off or ruin my day like it used to.