The Parable of the Two Sports Fans

One day while teaching, Josh was asked, ”Teacher, why are passions for professional sports so high?”

Josh spoke thus:

Two sports fans in a bar sat down to watch a game.

“We are so going to beat you!” the first sports fan said.

“No,” the second sports fan said, “We are so going to beat you!”

“We’ve won so many championships!” the first sports fan said.

“Now it’s our turn!” the second sports fan said.

“You’re going to lose!” the first sports fan said.

“You’re going to lose!” the second sports fan said.

The first sports fan stood chest to chest with the second sports fan.

“I said, you’re going to lose!” the first sports fan said.

“And I said, you’re going to lose!” the second sports fan said, bumping chests with the first sports fan.

“You’re so going to lose!” the first sports fan said.  The first sports fan shoved the second sports fan in the chest.

“We’re not going to lose,” the second sports fan said, pushing the first sports fan in the chest, “You’re going to lose!”

“You are!” the first sports fan said, shoving harder.

“You are!” the second sports fan said.  The second sports fan threw a punch at the first sports fan.  The first sports fan ducked beneath the attempted blow and drove a shoulder into the second sports fan’s belly.  The second sports fan dragged the first sports fan to the ground.  The two sports fans wrestled on the floor, each hitting the other, but neither able to land an effective blow.

The bartender jumped over the bar and separated the two sports fans.

“Hey you two!” the bartender said, holding the two sports fans at arms’ length, “It’s just a game!”  The bartender turned to the first sports fan and said, “Your city isn’t any better or any worse because your sports team wins.”  The bartender turned to the second sports fan and said, “And your team doesn’t make your city any better or any worse.  They’re professional teams.  They’re professional athletes.  Neither team is really from the city they’re in.  None of the players are.  It’s a business.  If you’re from one city or the other city be proud of the city you’re from!”

“Oh, I’m not from that city,” the first sports fan said.

“I’ve never been to either city,” the second sports fan said.

“Then why are you getting so worked up?” the bartender asked.

“Who’s worked up?” the first sports fan asked.

“We were just enjoying the game,” the second sports fan said.