Sunday night's game between the Redskins and the Cowboys marks the biggest game for both teams in years. But for the Redskins it's more improbable that they are in this position. As a tortured Redskins fan for the last 20 years, this game is monstrous. It's almost like you put so much of your own money, blood, sweat, and tears into a huge investment opportunity. This game represents whether or not the investment provides a multi-million dollar return.
In fact, this is not far from the truth. High draft picks were traded for Robert Griffin III. Mike Shanahan is one of the highest paid coaches in the league, and for a while there it looked like Dan Snyder was throwing cash into a black hole. But since the loss to the Panthers in Week 9, everything -- each one of those investments -- seems like it is going to pay off now and down the line.
Here is the problem though. Sports fans like me are actually not cut out for this stuff. I get used to something and then I assume that's how it is. For instance, with the Redskins I've gotten so used to not being in the playoffs that late December Sundays have simply been games to play until the layoff before the next season. This year, the Redskins have won six games in a row and the final game of the season is for the NFC East division title. Are you kidding??? This is unfamiliar, this is unheard of. Outside of those couple of playoff years sprinkled in the last 10 years, this is not typical of the Washington franchise. I'm used to talking about the draft right now and choosing playoff pools with my head and not my heart.
So this is what's happening to me and fans like me: physical and mental side effects as a result of cheering for a winning team.
MENTAL
- Constant preoccupation with the upcoming game. Hard to concentrate at work, while driving, etc.
- Daydreaming (or regular dreaming) about what it will be like when the team wins and, conversely, if they lose
- Psyching yourself out ("The Cowboys are due..."; "Our defense isn't that great..."; "It's too big of a stage...")
- Depression (should they lose) or elation to the point of clouded judgment (should they win)
WARNING: Any and all of these may cause headaches.
PHYSICAL
- Knees and elbows shaking in anticipation
- Heart palpitations getting increasingly worse as the game nears.
- In-game excessive sweating
- Stress eating
- Possible development of acid reflux
These are just some of the things you may experience up to and through Sunday. Look at how taxing all of those symptoms are. It is exhausting for your body to go through that. Hey, I understand that it's only a game. Ultimately, none of these things will stick with you as you move forward with day-to-day life. But sports fans know what it feels like to put so much emotion into a season for their favorite teams. To have the final week of the NFL regular season have so much riding on it, there just seems to be a myriad of ways to be effected by the outcome. I was 16 the last time the Redskins were in this position. It has been a while. I am older, wiser (debatable), and more in tune to what health risks accompany a playoff push. It is equal parts thrilling and totally debilitating. Here's to fandom!
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