Your Team Didn’t Reach the Super Bowl. Here's Why You Shouldn't Care…

Photo by Adrian Curiel on Unsplash

The New Year brings an end to your favorite team's Super Bowl hopes.

What else is new?

Another year of your team being stuck in mediocrity.

"This was supposed to be the year," you were told. "Our 5th-round draft pick was a steal where we got him! He could’ve been a 1st-round pick!" And "Our quarterback finally has weapons around him," you heard.

The news and sports channels hyped your team up all preseason. The new rookie was the talk of the town for months. But he got injured and didn’t play up to his draft position. The free agent class was excellent. The team had all the necessary pieces to succeed. 

But your team isn’t known for being a winning franchise. Like many other teams, it’s been doomed to mediocrity.

So, the sports channels gave the team the benefit of the doubt at the beginning of the season. This could be your team’s year.

A few games into the year pass by and the team loses some winnable games. 

Not a good start. But they can turn it around, you tell yourself.

But by midseason, your team's Super Bowl chances were about as high as the chances you'd win the lottery. Tough luck.

"Next year will be better," you tell yourself.

But will your team be better next year?

How many years need to pass by for you to see the pattern here?

Your team seems promising at the start of the season in the fall. They’ve got the potential to win it all. They just need their big players to play as advertised, everyone stays healthy all year, and a little bit of luck. 

But then their Super Bowl dreams come up short. Too short.

And once again, you're disappointed. But you're optimistic for the next season.

Then, the cycle repeats itself.

Year after year after year.

This pattern is hijacking your happiness.

It's no surprise you feel depressed after your team's season ends.

Yet, you keep giving in to your team's cycle of mediocrity. This cycle is where your happiness goes to die.

All that the team gives you is pain and misery.

You’re aware of your team’s cycle of pain. Now what?

Your team’s dysfunction is never-ending. No matter the coaching or roster changes they make, the team never makes a deep playoff run. Yet, you’ve allowed yourself to feel the hope and subsequent crushing failure of the team each year.

But it’s time to end this emotional rollercoaster. It’s time to regain your happiness.

So, you must view your team's results with a cold detachment. Don't get let your emotions get the best of you. How good or bad the team performs should never control your mood.

Yes, you can still watch football and enjoy it. 

But letting football keep you miserable is unhealthy and unacceptable.

Don't you want to be happy?

Plus, you've never met a single player or coach on the team. And you most likely will never meet any of them. So, why are you allowing them to dictate your mood? Why are you so emotionally invested in them?

Reflect on these questions to start developing a healthier relationship with football.