Sports Nuts: How do you do it?

[Prototype]

I'm reading some of the threads on the site, and after today, I am calling myself a casual sports fan. From Reg pulling that singing out of thin air to the Blue Jays thread, and everything inbetween, I'm amazed.

How do you guys keep such a vast knowledege of everything sports? I used to have the NHL down, rosters, draft picks, etc... back when Pro Set was a common term. I've lost that ability over the years, but ask me to name more than 5 Raptors, and I'm lost. I love the Colts, but ask me to name 5 guys on the defensive side of the ball, and I'd have problems.

I just either think I don't have the time, or I just don't take the time to follow sports as closely as you guys, and you guys blow me away daily.

How do you follow everything that's going on?

[rubecube]

The sport I know best is football. I can probably name 90% of the starters for every NFL team. The reason I feel I need to know this is because of all the gambling I do on the NFL, that and it's my favorite pro league. Because of the NFL I've also found myself heavily involved in college football because I like to see the young stars and figure out who would do well and look good in an Eagles uniform.

[JiriHrdina]

I definitely had a broader range of sports knowledge back when I had more time on my hands – teens and early 20s. Now, other than hockey, I don’t feel I’m as in tune with the other major sports as much, though I think I can talk intelligently about any sport other than NCAA stuff – which I don’t follow at all.

My NBA knowledge in particular is poor right now, which comes from not having a team to follow. I was a big fan of the Rockets for years because of The Dream. However, when they traded for Steve Francis I stopped following the team. He was a jerk off the floor and such a selfish player…hated watching him play and it ruined the Rockets for me. I still enjoy watching games from time to time but the lack of having a real team to follow has reduced how much I care about the NBA.

My focus now is definitely on hockey – I consume all I can with that. With the other sports I’d say I fit somewhere in between casual and hardcore. I know more than the casual fan, but I know a small fraction of what some guys do.

[Nufy]

Rain Man Syndrome...........

[Superflyer]

I am about the same, Hockey is the one that I can ramble on and on about. Outside of that it drops off quite a bit. I used to be really good but then I got kids and a job and I just don't have the time to follow things that in depth.
I am one of those trivia guys that can annoy you by bringing up something that is very obscure from 10 years ago so I have that ablility (Heros here I come) and that helps but I just cannot follow things the way that I used to.

[Delthefunky]

Yeah hockey, definetly hockey

[OILFAN #81]

NHL and NBA are the two I can ramble on about all teams throughout the league. NFL I follow my team alot (Colts) but throughout the league I don't know the other teams down to every player (I know all the stars and even average players but I can't name like all the DB's on the Cardinals). MLB I follow and can ramble on alot but not as much as NHL or NBA.

Then there's other random sports that I just know stuff about even though I don't really watch: Tennis, Golf, etc......I just love sports in general!

[FireFly]

The better question is this: How many of those who know lots about all sports are in a GOOD relationship? One where you want to spend time with your significant other rather than in front of the tv...

[RedHot25]

NHL and MLB for me. I think its just where your interests are; you'll naturally try and know more about everything there. Also depends what you want to get out of it. E.g. Stampeder/CFL games for me. I know a lot of the names of players, etc. But I don't know all the football positions, nor do I know all the rules (to the same extent I know those in baseball or hockey or something). The CFL for me is a great time, sitting in the stands with a beer in my hand, watching the game and the crowd.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by FireFly

The better question is this: How many of those who know lots about all sports are in a GOOD relationship? One where you want to spend time with your significant other rather than in front of the tv...

I think I would classify as that - although you would have to ask my wife .

I don't know, it just works for the most part (sure there are times...but at the same time things for her as well). E.g. she likes to sleep in in the mornings on weekends more than me. So often I will get up before her and get my fill of sports that way. It also helps that she likes the Flames/watching hockey as well. But at the same time, I'm not glued to things can't move. If I have the chance to say go out hiking etc for the day, I'll choose to do that rather than be one of those people that just "can't go because my favourite team is on!".

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by FireFly

The better question is this: How many of those who know lots about all sports are in a GOOD relationship? One where you want to spend time with your significant other rather than in front of the tv...

It's pretty easy to have both when your gf loves to party and go out to the club, etc but also loves sports too! I don't watch alot of tv though, not really my thing. NHL is the only thing I watch regularly. NBA I watch too but Kings games when they are on have more interest for me NFL = Colts. Baseball is too slow for me to watch regularly but I know alot about it. Don't watch any other sports regularly.

Playoffs in any of the 4 pro sports I watch everything.

[Sparks]

I have to admit that beyond hockey, I know nothing about any other sport. I don't think I could name 5 players on the same team in any other sport. Seriously.

I think if I got into another other sport (as well), it'd border on unhealthy, considering how much I love hockey.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by FireFly

The better question is this: How many of those who know lots about all sports are in a GOOD relationship? One where you want to spend time with your significant other rather than in front of the tv...

I'm single, so that might explain some of it.

[Weiser Wonder]

It's all about passion. I'm passionate about the Flames so I know a lot about them. I'm a fan of the Blue Jays but don't know much about them as I'm not that passionate. A non-sports example would be, Radiohead is by far my favorite band so I know everything about them. I like other music but not with the same passion so I don't know much about it.

If you really cared about other sports like you do about hockey you'd know more about them because you'd make the time.

[habernac]

I knew a ton more about hockey back when I had more spare time. With the advent of the internet, it's unreal how accessible stuff is. Satellite TV has made it easier as well. I can now watch every game for my favourite team in the comfort of my living room. Amazing stuff. I remember listening and trying to decipher french CBC Habs broadcasts on radio just to keep track of how they were doing.

I'm certainly not as hardcore as some, but then again, as Firefly says, who can be a total sports nut if they hope to have any kind of decent relationship (but hey, she comes with me to every Flames game with our season tickets).

I also follow baseball and the Jays pretty well, some cycling and The Patriots for NFL football. UFC is something I watch a lot too. It's tough fitting all the time in as I'd rather play the sports than watch them.

[Jiggy_12]

My baseball and hockey knowledge are good, but my other sports are lacking. I can hold my own with Tennis, golf, and NFL, but nothing further than that.

[FlamesFanInEdm]

NHL and NBA for me. In fact, I probably follow basketball more than hockey. Can prob name atleast 10 players on every team and everything and anything about the Raptors. I also find that because I'm on the internet for school alot, I end up surfing sports sites and thus know a fair bit about sports I never ever watch like tennis and golf.
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PORTABLE VAPORIZERS

[Dion]

In my teens and early 20's I was a walking encyclopedia when it came to hockey. Now my interests are more diversified and I have less free time. I'm outdoors doing things as opposed to sitting in front of the TV watching other games besides the Flames.

[Cerebral]

I consider myself a sports addict and it mostly stems from spending far too much time on the internet.

[J pold]

I know hockey the best out of all sports than there is a bit of a drop from there to football than NBA than college football I can touch on most everything form there