Why Do We Go?

Friday. Last weekend of the month. Tonight headed to Littlerock High. Don't suspect it will be a close game. One team is undefeated. The other hasn't one yet. Winds are blowing some. Its carrying the sounds of Knight High School Band. A good band. A fun band. Has a lot of spirit. There is something about spirit.

After attending a few high school sports games, I never realized the importance of it. Seemed campy. However, there is more to it. A certain pride. Parents, friends, and family will face stormy weather. They will sit alone. They will bring everyone and their mother for school spirit. There is a group pride to it. People will shout to their top of their lungs their loved one's names. They will sing songs to the vanquished school. They will stomp their feet on the bleachers. People will crowd. They will rise up to get their team pumped up. Strange people will show up face painted and dressed incredibly inappropriate for School pride.

When a school wins, this pride grows. Consistently there is some thing about it. Cheerleaders grow. Bands develop. People attend. After the game, people subconsciously bellow, "They won" as if they played the game themselves. Kids stay after trying to stay warm, basking in the glory of victory.

However, if and when the team loses. That is another story. Same fair weather fans, quietly say, "They Lost." Letting their team stand alone. No longer take credit for the teams performance.

Fundamental Attribution Bias.

Well, soon I will be headed out. Blanket weather, I think. Winds are blowing and I think its important to go. Not for the win. Not for the game. But for family. Brother is a Coach. Nieces, Nephew, and Sister-In-Law are at the game. Win or Lose, you stick with your team. Bonds are formed and that shared pride gets us through stormy weather.

We are forged by the moments together. Pride for the school and team are what connects us. Could be High School football game. Could be a family gathering. When we look in each other's eyes and connect, we see a spirit that can weather any storm. We grow strong as bonds are built. Every moment we choose the family we want to be close to. We choose who we let in. Despite their faults and weakness. Despite benefits and possible gains. We learn through these moments of winter who will stand by us to keep us warm. Who will sing and dance with us? Who will be there to and stand with you and say, We Lost? Because they know being together is more than just Winning.

Through this, Pride grows and warms us.

This why we go to the games.

Team Speech on when team lets others down. Toby Zeigler West Wing