Sports fans- Is it ever OK to root for a rival?

81

If Michigan went 0-13 i would throw a party.

pretext

Horos wrote:

I will only root for a rival when they are playing a bigger rival.

Yes. I have a ranking system for the NHL. For example, I will root for anyone playing the Fucking Devils. And the last two Cup Finals I've had to pull for Detroit, as they're #3 on the list and Pittsburgh is #2. I never pull for a team in our division. We fight them all year, so how could I? I don't have East/West-AL/NL allegiances though. Once the championship series/game arrives, assuming no Philly team is in, it's all about which team I dislike less.

However, in the end, I love watching great sports. It was a joy to watch Nadal win Wimbledon last year, even though I'm a big Federer fan. I got excited when the Sox won the World Series because it had been so long. I wish I'd gotten to see Mark Buehrle the other day. And I've even cried when Scott Stevens and Sidney Crosby have raised the Cup. Can't help it.

pearljgirl2010

eddies in my tree wrote:

i was at the philly's- cardinals game yesterday and jimmy rollins hit that grand slam 4 rows in front of me. i stood, clapped and cheered for him. i bleed cardinal red, but you have to give credit where credit is due. so i think it is ok. im a baseball fan so i celebrate baseball and when something special happens i will recognize it.

I'm with you on this...I'm a die hard Eagles fan, but will still cheer for good plays by my rivals, even if it's--gulp--Dallas. I'm LOVE exceptional, athletic plays and you gotta give credit where it's due.

pearljgirl2010

pretext wrote:

However, in the end, I love watching great sports. It was a joy to watch Nadal win Wimbledon last year, even though I'm a big Federer fan. I got excited when the Sox won the World Series because it had been so long. I wish I'd gotten to see Mark Buehrle the other day. And I've even cried when Scott Stevens and Sidney Crosby have raised the Cup. Can't help it.

absolutely....I always get choked up/cry when any team wins a championship, especially when it's overdue or if someone never won before. oh man.

LikeAnOpeningBandForTheSun

i generallyroot for SEC teams not matter how much i hate them. except maybe FLorida.

GO VOLS!

South of Seattle

I don't ever root for a rival.

I sometimes root for Kobe Bryant to break his ankles, but that's about it.

The only time it is ever appropriate to root for a rival is in the case that it helps your team in someway. For example playoff seedings and matchups.

brother123

I cheer for anyone who plays against the yankees.

I cheer for the team who beats the team that knocks out the Devils for the last 6 years, unless it's the Rangers in which case I cheer for the the opposing team to cream the Rangers

Arcticangel

Seeing the White Sox play the Yankees this last week was one of the most painful experiences of my summer. *shudder*

milarso

Arcticangel wrote:

Seeing the White Sox play the Yankees this last week was one of the most painful experiences of my summer. *shudder*

Wouldn't it be great if there was some way both teams could lose?

Arcticangel

milarso wrote:

Arcticangel wrote:

Seeing the White Sox play the Yankees this last week was one of the most painful experiences of my summer. *shudder*

Wouldn't it be great if there was some way both teams could lose?

Oh god, if only.

pjhawks

pearljgirl2010 wrote:

pretext wrote:

However, in the end, I love watching great sports. It was a joy to watch Nadal win Wimbledon last year, even though I'm a big Federer fan. I got excited when the Sox won the World Series because it had been so long. I wish I'd gotten to see Mark Buehrle the other day. And I've even cried when Scott Stevens and Sidney Crosby have raised the Cup. Can't help it.

absolutely....I always get choked up/cry when any team wins a championship, especially when it's overdue or if someone never won before. oh man.

i hope you bawled like a baby for the Phillies last year - i know i did

mca47

Depends on the level of the rivalry and the level of hatred towards other teams.

MayDay10

the rule books states:

You may only root for a rival if they are facing an even more hated rival

OR

in the event the rival wins, it benefits your favorite team's playoff/championship standing.

OR

at the end of the season, if the rival winning means a better draft pick.

carolinabeerguy

I will never root for the NY Yankees, NY Mets, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Los Angeles Lakers or the Duke Blue Devils. The only exception is when a win by one of those teams somehow benefits my team's playoff chances.