Friends have divided over it. Marriages have been strained by it. Fights have been started over it. Some have even been killed by it.

The “it” is a fanatical dedication to a sports team. People often say that college football in the South is more like a religion than a sport.

Yet, all over the world, you can find passionate fans of many sports. They cheer their team’s name, wear the colors, and sing the fight song.

The sports field is a great place to find camaraderie (friendship and community) and entertainment. Teams and games provide inspiring stories and quotes. Even the apostle Paul used boxing and running to illustrate Christian principles.

The Dark Side of Fanaticism

However, sports fanaticism has a dark side that Christians should think about. The word “fan” comes from “fanatic,” which means being:

“…marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion” (Merriam-Webster)

A true fanatic sees no wrong in their own team. At the same time, they point out every fault in their rivals.

Whether this obsession is directed toward a sports team, a political party, or a leader, it clouds a person’s perspective. They become unable to see things clearly because of their obsession. They cannot understand why everyone does not share their view. Often, they assume anyone who disagrees is ignorant or mean.

Allegiance or Idolatry?

Having an affinity (a natural liking or attraction) for a team or hobby is not wrong. Loving a team and supporting them is fine in itself.

The problem is that fanaticism (extreme enthusiasm) is hard to separate from idolatry (worshiping something other than God).

Some people judge their entire year as good or bad based solely on how their team performed. Their happiness is not determined by their relationships, their personal success, or their spiritual growth. Instead, it depends entirely on a game.

Should a few hours of sport determine whether you are happy or sad for a whole year?

Sometimes our sports habits show where our heart really is:

• Comfort over Devotion: Some fans will sit in the cold and rain through double overtime, but they complain if a sermon runs five minutes long.
• Patience for Play, Not Prayer: Some will endure long rain delays at a hot baseball game, but complain if church services end slightly later than usual.
• Rosters over Scripture: Some can recite full team rosters and game histories, but struggle to name basic Bible characters or discuss scripture.
• Hours of Entertainment vs. Minutes of Study: Some spend hours reading blogs and listening to sports talk radio, but get bored reading the Bible for ten minutes.

Keeping up with a team is not sinful. The danger is when we give our best attention to what is passing away, and ignore what is eternal. We can enjoy temporary things, but we must never let them eclipse what truly matters.

Hateful Speech

Christians must guard their speech when discussing sports. I have close friends who support a rival school. I love those friends far more than I love my team.

While we enjoy friendly joking, we value our relationships. We refuse to insult or demean each other.

Unfortunately, sports talk often turns nasty and vindictive (spiteful or revengeful). I sometimes have to block Christian friends on social media during football season. They speak with venom (extreme anger or hate) about rivals and referees.

Can you let your light shine when your words are designed to hurt others? Can you enjoy your team without hating on someone else’s team? Can you take the high road when others attack your team?

Keeping First Things First

I love the fall season. I love football, I love my team, and I love a loud stadium. I feel like a kid at Christmas when the season starts.

But I love God, His children, and His work far more. This priority must be clear in my life. If I am proud to wear my team’s colors, I must be even more eager to show the glory of God in my actions.

O’ Worship the Team

(Sung to the tune “O, Worship the King”)

O’ worship the team,
You make me so proud.
I faithfully sing,
The fight song so loud.
With venom I’ll speak of our rivals to all,
For grace-seasoned speech isn’t used in the Fall.

I tell of your fame,
Your history I know.
I yell out your name,
And cheers proudly crow.
I don’t know much Bible after all of these years,
And don’t speak of Jesus for fear of the jeers.

O’ where is my love?
And what do I serve?
Do I look above,
And feed on His word?
Let all loves in life fade when I seek Your face,
And let my example reflect Your good grace.