Passion

What are you passionate about? I mean really passionate, not you really like a certain restaurant or you have a favorite band. They may be favorites but does it really bring out that unparalleled feeling like no other? Maybe you aren’t passionate about anything but I’m here to tell you that sports unquestionably drives a lot people…

Now I’m aware of the baseline for most fans. They love their hometown teams; until of course they start to lose big. In Pro sports towns like Boston, Chicago, NY, Philly and LA for examples there are multiple teams to follow and though the support is there, allegiances are spread around.

College sports provide a great back drop to a level of passion for their teams. While in school, students attend most games and even keep some level of loyalty after they leave and continue to follow their alma maters for years to follow but to what extent?

I have been watching and thoroughly enjoying the documentary called Welcome to Wrexham which is about an old (really old, 150 years) Welsh football (soccer) team and town by the same name. Though it’s based on the recent purchase of the team by 2 American celebrities that try to restore the club to its former glory; I am enamored with the love of this team by everyone in town. Unlike the fickle sports fans nowadays that shift allegiances like the wind; their passion for the team has been a mainstay for generations. Yes, I realize that some of you are fans of teams and have been for years but these are not fans, they are caretakers of this club which has been ingrained in them for years.

Whether they have other sports that they possibly follow as well may be true but nothing come close to the 24/7 unquestioned loyalty to their football team. Tragedy struck the town many years ago with a coal mine accident and football was and still is the savior for them all. Win, lose or draw they back the team. I’m quite sure that this passion probably exists in many of these small teams in the lower leagues that don’t carry the cache of say the premier league but the support is certainly just as prideful. In watching the show, I found myself rooting as hard for the success of this club as I have any game or match in my life. They all leave behind their problems, bills and whatever other issues at least once a week as they root for their club both at home and the road; it’s a truly remarkable scene that give new meaning to the word fan.

I personally have been blessed to watch huge games at stadiums, arenas and parks in my lifetime. Long draughts ended, and dreams realized along the way. I have seen legendary games and experienced many wins for my hometown teams but they were fleeting. Yes, they will always reside in my sports memory bank and bring a smile when recalled but after the parades and pomp were over, it was time to move to the next season.

This was different, much different, this was baked into the consciousness of all locals young and old. I’ve never been to a “football” game outside of the US. I’ve never experienced what it must be like to live through a team. I’m thankful to have seen this sports love affair even if it was through the eyes of a TV show.

Now I don’t expect many if any of you to suddenly start following the trials and tribulations of the Wrexham football club but do yourself a favor and watch a couple of episodes (FX channel on real TV or Hulu) and tell me that you don’t admire the passion from these fans; sit down with a pint and cheer for Wrexham !!!!