To me, there is nothing that matches the experience of attending a sporting event in person. Sure, televisions today provide you with an incredible picture, entertaining broadcasters, and they bring you angles of the game that you couldn't see at the stadium, but the atmosphere just isn't the same.
There's a reason (or many) we spend hundreds of dollars to attend an event in person. The roar of the crowd, smell of food in the air, and anticipation of what will happen next can't be beaten, and we get to be surrounded by 60,000 others who all share our passion and excitement.
When I started working at 16, I used a percentage of my earnings to attend sporting events in person. I would travel up with friends to Detroit from Kalamazoo to watch the Red Wings, Pistons, Lions, and Tigers. I only had one rule -- I would not for any circumstance leave a game before it was over.
After making the two-hour drive, spending money on tickets, food, and most likely beer, I wanted to enjoy every second of a game. In addition to maximizing my investment by enjoying the entire game, I believe it's an insult to your team and the players to turn your back on them while there's still time left on the clock. The one time I broke my own rule, I regretted it.
2006 ALDS: Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees Game 4
The Detroit Tigers had an amazing 2006, which saw them reach the World Series for the first time in 22 years. In the ALDS, the Tigers faced off against the heavily favored New York Yankees. No one, including Tigers fans, thought that the Tigers had a chance.
After winning two of the first three games of the series, the Tigers would have a chance to send the Yankees home in game 4. I was lucky enough to get tickets for the game, and I offered a ticket to my best friend, Andrew.
The game went better than I could have imagined, and everything pointed to the Tigers closing out the Yankees to move on to the ALCS for a chance to go to the World Series. With an 8-0 lead after the sixth inning, Andrew said he didn't feel good and he'd rather beat traffic than stay for the game. I hesitated, and then agreed to leave. While of course I should put people over my selfish desire to stay, he knew my rule of not leaving a game early (I realize I sound like a jerk right now).
We left, and on the way home I got 20 calls about what happened after the game. The players, instead of going into the locker room, ran around the field dousing fans with champagne and celebrating the win with them, something I haven't seen since. This is a moment I wish I could've been a part of. Unless I have absolutely no interest in the teams playing, to this day, I still won't leave a game early.
Conclusion
Anything can happen in sports if you don't give up. Chicago Cubs fans never thought they would see their team win a World Series, but it happened. No one expected Buster Douglas to upset Mike Tyson, but it happened. When we leave a game early, we're giving up on the impossible happening, and missing some of the greatest moments in sports. If you go to a game, get your money's worth and stay for the whole thing. Sure, you can choose to beat traffic instead, but why even go if you're willing to miss the precious last seconds of what could be a historic victory or memorable moment for your favorite team.
What do you think? Are you okay with fans leaving games early, or should they stay for the entire game?
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