Being raised as a New England/Boston sport fan I have seen many rival games played in professional sport. Red Sox v. Yanks, Bruins v. Montreal, Celtics v. Lakers and the Pats v. the Colts, Steeler, Dolphins, Cowboys and the J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets (hate that the most). The question is, Is rivalry good for the spirit of competition?
Many will say that it is because alot of people watch it. To which I would reply, that is good for rating but does not answer the question. Others would say well the "hatred" between the two teams allows for both teams to play harder, causing a higher intensity. To this I would say true but playing with hate causes people to make mistakes and make rash decisions they wouldn't normally make. However, i would have to say that the players playing harder and faster does make for a more intense, hard fought game.
In my opinion, i would have to say that rivalry is more of a negative than a positive because in most instances it brings out the wort in players, coaches and fans. For example, a coach is more likely to run up the score in a rivalry game rather than substitute out towards the end of the game and Cruise like they would normally. Also, Fights between fans occur more during rivalry games than at a normal game. For example, My cousins friend who was raised in the Boston area has to move to New York. She is a big Red Sox fan but can't make it to Boston to see any games. So, when Boston went to play in New York, won't say which team, she got tickets and went. while on her way to her seats wearing nothing more than a Red Sox Hat she was verbally assaulted 7 times. Also, in the fourth inning she had a beer and a slice of pizza thrown at her. She had to leave. On a different occasion the Sox were playing the other New York team, and she went in a red sox shirt and hat and nothing was said to her or done to her. Needless to say the Sox were playing against the team with less of a rivalry.
In my opinion, i would have to say that rivalry is more of a negative than a positive because in most instances it brings out the wort in players, coaches and fans. For example, a coach is more likely to run up the score in a rivalry game rather than substitute out towards the end of the game and Cruise like they would normally. Also, Fights between fans occur more during rivalry games than at a normal game. For example, My cousins friend who was raised in the Boston area has to move to New York. She is a big Red Sox fan but can't make it to Boston to see any games. So, when Boston went to play in New York, won't say which team, she got tickets and went. while on her way to her seats wearing nothing more than a Red Sox Hat she was verbally assaulted 7 times. Also, in the fourth inning she had a beer and a slice of pizza thrown at her. She had to leave. On a different occasion the Sox were playing the other New York team, and she went in a red sox shirt and hat and nothing was said to her or done to her. Needless to say the Sox were playing against the team with less of a rivalry.
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