Quote:
Originally Posted by nik-
I know you like to put down Calgary as much as you can to reaffirm your personal decision to leave, but the Flames are not central to civic pride. They're just a sports team.
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Except they really are. It is part of the tribalism of associating oneself with the larger community. If it were not for the sports teams and the rivalry, would there be as much hate between Calgary and Edmonton? No. It would be no different than the relationship between Calgary and Lethbridge or Medicine Hat. But the second you toss in that tribalism associated with team competition, well, the pride takes on a whole new dimension. I don't ever recall the citizens throwing on their library jersey, or slapping a library flag on their car, or having impromptu parades down streets when the library was opened or received a new shipment of books. But I do recall amazing moments of civic pride when the Flames won big games or playoff series. The team is part and parcel of the allure of big cities and is one of the big reasons cities have reputations and tribal pride.