As an american there is no shortage of sports to watch. Basketball, Baseball, Football and Hockey being the favored, but also wrestling, boxing, and soccer have no shortage of viewers. It is a favorite american pastime. However, what I have experienced in just 2 soccer matches here in Florence is unlike any experience i've ever had when going to a sporting event at home.
Everyone knows the importance of the crowds to get riled up and excited at a game. However I feel so often that when I am watching many sporting events there are those who are actively involved and others who get involved when it is necessary. Typically this happens when it is your team and they are down at the end such as in the 4th quarter of a basketball game. Then all of a sudden is when you see the active support of the crowds to cheer their team on. As a dance performer, I understand how important it is for audience involvement. It is like completing a dance with no cheering. It makes you feel uncertain, disappointed, unmotivated and overall takes from your desire to do your best. It is upsetting to me when people go to sporting events and spend the whole time just sitting there. Then all of a sudden when their team is down they then become die-hard fans. Where were you when the energy was high? When your team was on a good run? Why not support them when they are up rather than condemn them when they are down? These are questions that have constantly perplexed me as a viewer when I have gone to a lot of games.
And I feel like I understand why this happens. There is such a wide variety of sports at our disposal that we often forget our responsibility as fans. Yes they are there for our entertainment, but the players are also there because they love the game. It is their passion. And as fans we have a responsibility to nurture that passion. Why wouldn't we? I know it seems silly to put this much insight into one person having that great of an impact on a sporting event but I really believe it is true. Because if each individual person puts in that much effort to simply cheer their team on, wouldn't we be an unstoppable force of support? As an athlete I would love to feel that energy and feed off it while i'm playing. Knowing that that many people believe in my talent and ability.
That is exactly what an Italian soccer game is like. It was breathtaking and inspiring. There was not one single person in that stadium that did not scream, yell, chant, clap, jump up and down. It was a united front against Fiorentina's opponents. That energy was infectious and even as an outsider I couldn't help but feel entirely swept up into the moment. And I know others felt the same. The more remarkable thing is that it continued the entire game. There was never a lull. Throughout the entire game there was excitement and drive to show support and pride in Fiorentina's team. When there were bad calls the entire stadium erupted. When they made a goal (twice in the first match) It felt like an earthquake throughout the stadium. I saw complete strangers grabbing each other to hug, picking people up and throwing them around. And all I could think during all of this is why do we not have the same reaction back in the US?
I'm not in anyway saying that everyone is like this in the US at games. So uninvolved. On the contrary I know so many people who have the most passionate views. They are some of my favorite people to be around when i'm watching sports whether it is actually going to the game or if it is going to a bar to enjoy it. And that is exactly why I like being around them. It is their energy. Their complete love for the game. Their appreciate of the artist... the athlete that has worked their entire life to become a professional basketball player or hockey, etc. This energy is infectious and it makes it impossible to enjoy a sporting event without them around. I truly can't wait to go to more sporting events here. I'm addicted to the love and pride they feel for their athletes.
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