Check for faulty wiring.

After years of observing the manner in which sports fans in the UK support teams or individuals, I’m always curious why so many seem to lean toward the perennial losers and/or underdogs. What’s wrong with winning? Do we just crave the upset, or is it, instead, compassion for the constant loser?

Football supporters hold the number one spot for both bias and blind ignorance, rarely giving praise, no matter how impressive the feat is by an opposing side, and at the same time swearing blind that fouls committed by their own players did not happen. Sound familiar?

Boxing ‘fans’ offer a different kind of ignorance, manifested by staggeringly high expectations. For instance, unimaginative accusations are aimed, with annoying regularity at silky smooth boxers who fail to score KOs, or my favourite, “ he’s chinny”, usually rolled out specially for exciting champions known for engaging in up and down thrillers.
I suggest that logic plays little or no role here.

Lets go back to the losers or underdogs who were fan faves until they became champions; suddenly the fans find faults and weaknesses previously unnoticed, or merely unmentioned, once the object of their affection reaches the pinnacle.
Perhaps someone can explain the sudden desire that fans seem to show to see a team sink into relegation as soon as they’ve achieved number one status, or the dogged desire to see a newly crowned champion KOd?

Can fans not stay impartial and remain factual in their analysis of an ongoing game or fight, even as they cheer for their favourite? Is there much evidence of this happening anywhere near you?.

So we know the answer to the question: How long do we support the loser or underdog? Until they become winners.
What I’m still struggling with is why? If anyone would like to enlighten me, I’m all ears.