Top Ten Reasons Why We LOVE Sports: Day Two

#9) The Underdogs – Let’s face it; we used to be the underdogs.  I’m talking as a country.  Way before we knew how great sports were, America was fighting off the Goliath known as Britain.  It’s only natural that we root for the underdogs.  Of course, there is more than just people in the United States reading this so let me explain why we all love the underdogs.

To be an underdog you have to be the favorite to lose going into a game.  As humans, we are often considered only underdogs to Mother Nature, but we have found a way to beat her time and again.  We are the underdogs every single time though.  For those of you who don’t agree, tell me how much you like being rained on, struck by lightning, or having a hurricane come through your home town/state.  It’s because of those very reasons why we love underdogs. 

Just think about it.  The underdog comes in and win the game with all odds against them.  It is the ultimate definition of teamwork.  Look at some of the most recent underdog victories.  Texas A&M over Alabama.  Seattle over Green Bay, albeit with replacement refs. Golden State advances over Denver. The one game Chicago won over Miami in round 2 of the NBA Playoffs.  The 7 seeds advancing in the NHL Playoffs.  And you can’t leave out the always fantastic wins by underdogs in the NCAA Tournament. 

Then there’s the historic underdog wins.  Broadway Joe and the Jets beat Unitas and the Colts in SB III.  The Miracle on Ice.  Whenever Michigan finds a way to lose to incoming underdogs.  For example, Appalachian State in 2007 and Toledo in 2008.  Giants beat the undefeated Patriots in SB XLII.  Y. E. Yang over Tiger Woods.  Let’s never forget when the James Madison Dukes beat Virginia Tech in 2010.  The 2007 Fiesta Bowl.  All of Rocky Marciano’s career.  Hoosiers.  Texas Western.  Jimmy V and the Wolfpack.  Oh yeah, and the most important one, Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story.

They were all great moments.  Moments that will last for a very, very long time.  Thank you Chuck Norris and remember the 5 D’s of Dodgeball: Dodge, Duck, Dip, Dive, and Dodge. 

Check in tomorrow for #8.