Root, Root, Root for the Home Team

Cheering fans at Lambeau. 10/3/21 dwm

 One of the great things about sports is following your team, cheering their triumphs and crying over their losses.

 

 Long-time fans don't just cheer, the team is part of who they are.  I'm proud to be a Packer fan and owner as well as a life-long fan of the Milwaukee Bucks, Brewers, and Wisconsin Badgers.

 

 It's great to wear your fandom on your sleeve.  Be loud, be proud.  

 

 Don't be a jerk.  If there are fans of the opposing team, that's OK.  You can engage with fans of the other team without being ugly or abusive.

Cheer and encourage your team.  Ignore catcalls and people trying to pick a fight, it's not worth it.  Putting down another team and their fans won't elevate you or your team.  If you are on the receiving end, stay out of the gutter.

 

Alcohol can play a big part in taking remarks made in fun into attacks on someone's character.  Lower the temperature if you can, walk away if you must.  It's not worth the effort. 

 

Sports can bring people together when we let our humanity show - it can also be a tool of division and animosity - which doesn't serve anyone.  

 

The best of us and the best of sports is when it unites us.  Monday night in Cincinnati, we united when the game and jersey color didn't matter because we were worried about a human life. 

 

Damar Hamlin was virtually anonymous.  Only the most ardent Bills fans probably knew he wore #3.  When he collapsed following a tackle, the only thing important Monday night was whether he survived.

Three nights later he was still in critical condition at a Cincinnati Trauma Center.  His family told reporters there are signs of improvement.  Concerned fans gave more than $5 million dollars to a fundraiser Hamlin sponsored to buy toys for kids.  

Before that play, Bengal fans were thrilled that their team was driving toward a second score, knowing a win over Buffalo might give them an edge in the play-offs.

After the play, almost no one is concerned about finishing the game.

These moments of unity and common purpose are fleeting but it's important to recognize the course correction on our priorities when it happens.

Get well, Damar.