"Calm down, it's just a game"

[JoeyFlex5]

1.5 weeks til we watch 2 teams(that arent us) compete for the super bowl, basically, football is a tad bit boring right now(once the richard sherman news gets old) so i got a random topic. 

 

i was watching fan freak-out videos on youtube and i realized, i do the same thing, so i cant laugh too hard at them. who else here is one of those fans who just gets dirty looks from everyone around you because youre way more excited than them? who else hears "calm down, its just a game" multiple times every football season and wants to FLIP when they hear it? who else wishes they had a football buddy to watch games with that goes crazy too and doesnt play captain buzzkill for a whole 4 quarters every sunday? 

 

and how do you all feel about the line "calm down, its just a game" when the ravens lose a big one, or lose in a heartbreaking way?

[The Raven]

I'm a fan, not a player or coach, so I realize there's nothing I can do about a loss. So, after a 30 minute grieving period, I get pretty calm. No sense in me getting all worked up over something I have no control over. 

[jaege]

Not me. Sorry. Of course ALL the people who watch the game with me are as big of addicts as I am, so no one is really there to tell us not to go over the top. For all I know, we go over the top every game. Although, falling to the floor and sobbing is a bit beyond anything that happens at my house.

[Ragin'Raven]

I enjoy the wins, hate the losses. But when I see my sons (particularly my oldest) smiling through the wins AND the losses, I am reminded of why I enjoy the game in the first place. People can get carried away. It doesn't just happen with football. The balancing act is to enjoy it without letting it consume you. I have a wonderful life away from watching football. If watching football is your life, then you might want to explore other areas that aren't being dealt with.

[runamuk]

I have never fallen to the ground crying and carrying on. But I loudy coach from my couch. I make suggestions to Flacco on what he should do with the football especially after an interception. I loudly encourage the defense to tackle and if they don't suggest ways in which to improve tackling like maybe learning how as a start. .The superbowl I was screaming at the top of my lungs but no one I regularly watch with has ever said "It's only a game " thank god it's so much more then that !! this year losses weren't so bad because of the superbowl win ,but I understand teams can't win all the time.

 

nice change of pace for a topic , thanks .

[berad]

It is only a game in a way of thinking.

But the same way paintings are just synchronized colors. Or music is organized sounds. Or literature a collection of arbitrary scribbles.

Point being, it IS what you make it. It may be only a game to some but it can mean so much more to some others.

I'll go out on a limb and say for most of the people on here, who take the time to read and write about the team almost daily, it means more to them than 60 minutes of organized athletic competition. I know it does for me.

If I can paraphrase a line from Fever Pitch: what have you been passionate about for longer than the Ravens?

I've never cried after a loss - mostly just get mad. I did get emotional after the Super Bowl, though. How could you not?

[K-Dog]

During the game my emotions will run the normal gambit. Nothing extreme either way.

It wasnt always that way. I dont remember when exactly, but it was some time ago. The Ravens played a pathetic game. Embarrassing.

I was in a foul mood well after the game.

I unfairly snapped at my daughter for no good reason what so ever. It hurt her feelings pretty bad.

My life changed after that.

A) I had no reason to treat her or any one like that for any reason. Especially a game I really had nothing to do with.

2) I want her to grow to love the game. I dont want her to associate football with Daddy getting angry.

I have somehow figured out how to disconnect right when the game is done.

Thankfully.

[Gordo52]

I hate when people try to kill my vibe when the Ravens are playing. My family doesn't care about it nearly as much as I do. We get into a lot of arguments.

I can't stand watching it with people who don't genuinely care but pretend to just so they can be involved... I don't care if that's wrong or not. I'm an butt when it comes to watching the Ravens and don't have time to answer stupid questions to those types lol. I will on here because I give posters the benefit of the doubt of being seriously interested, (Since they're on a forum game thread, ya know?). But when someone I watched with before asks, "Why do they get the ball first?" Or "wow we suck, they should fire ____ cut ____ they're a bunch of bums" ---

I flip.

[Jokerraven]

I was emotional after the afccg and superbowl win last year. fans on these forums freak out after every single loss so I get what op means . My father you can't even speak to him if the colts lose. I don't text or call if I know they lost. I watch football with my sons they are very animated but never take it too far some of the ' freakout videos" esp last year I think were staged I can't imagine a grown man rolling on the floor over a football game

[Bltravens]

I don't know if I've ever done anything other than cuss for a couple minutes about who played like garbage that day.  After that its go on with the day.  The only time I've ever been animated was the 2011 AFCCG.  Evans drops it then Cundiff misses.  I jumped up when Evans had the ball then fell to my knees after it went out, sat in the middle of my living room as Cundiff went on to kick, screamed for a TO because it was obvious Cundiff was all over the map (from TV angles) and then slouched over when he missed it with my mouth gaping open.

Other than that one singular time, never been animated.

[PurpleCityLights]

In my mind I own the team......

[SecretAgentMan]

I've never cried after a loss - mostly just get mad. I did get emotional after the Super Bowl, though. How could you not?

Same. I don't let the ravens dictate my life and feelings and emotions. That's what other people are for

 

I do end up screaming at the TV like Tom Cruise in Tropic Thunder sometimes....

 

Memories....

[JoeyFlex5]

I was emotional after the afccg and superbowl win last year. fans on these forums freak out after every single loss so I get what op means . My father you can't even speak to him if the colts lose. I don't text or call if I know they lost. I watch football with my sons they are very animated but never take it too far some of the ' freakout videos" esp last year I think were staged I can't imagine a grown man rolling on the floor over a football game

my buddy ripped his brand new 260$ authentic jersey right in half(he bought it that morning) when jacoby jones dropped a 4th quarter 4th down pass that looked like the end of our season against denver.

he then proceeded to literally flip me from behind the couch, over the front of it and break the living room table when the mile high miracle happened.

i wouldnt put it past em for those to be real lol.

i normally have a all around bad sunday when the ravens lose heartbreaker, if they play terrible and stink it up for 4 quarters, then im over it before the games over. and yea i tend to end up a little inebriated by the end of most games, dont judge its how i spend my sundays lol, so one time after a tough loss, i step outside to have a smoke, and after about 10 seconds i just slam my half full beer can on the ground and i hear "DUDE ITS JUST A GAME CALM THE ____ DOWN". thats one specific experience i have in mind when it comes to this.

i dont get that bad, but the people im forced to watch with, basically, they all suck, lol. they are clueless about football, are stuck on their phones the whole game, when i cheer theyre like "jesus dude quiet down" or something like that, it just drives me nuts lol. glad to see im not the only one whos got some thoughts on this

In my mind I own the team......

we all do

[Gordo52]

I don't know if I've ever done anything other than cuss for a couple minutes about who played like garbage that day. After that its go on with the day. The only time I've ever been animated was the 2011 AFCCG. Evans drops it then Cundiff misses. I jumped up when Evans had the ball then fell to my knees after it went out, sat in the middle of my living room as Cundiff went on to kick, screamed for a TO because it was obvious Cundiff was all over the map (from TV angles) and then slouched over when he missed it with my mouth gaping open.

Other than that one singular time, never been animated.

I reacted the same exact way man. I was really upset when we faced the Steelers in the playoffs (I wanna say 2010) when we had the lead and Webb gave up a 3rd & 19 to Brown (I think they were the two players).....which eventually lost us the game. I remember I was at my friends house during my Bob Marley days. I stared at the wall for at least 2 hours in shock at some Homer Simpson picture of him drunk on the couch lol. It's still extremely vivid in my mind.

[JoeyFlex5]

I've never cried after a loss - mostly just get mad. I did get emotional after the Super Bowl, though. How could you not?

i ended up shirtless at a neighbors house(whom i have never met before) between the final tackle and the lombardi presentation. guess you could call it emotional lol

[TDubbs]

my buddy ripped his brand new 260$ authentic jersey right in half(he bought it that morning) when jacoby jones dropped a 4th quarter 4th down pass that looked like the end of our season against denver. 

 

 

That's actually hilarious. I myself have had those moments when bad things happen in a game and you just reach for that collar in total anger and hatred. Especially funny that Jacoby dropped that pass and I felt that the season was over as well, and that miracle happened. 

[Jokerraven]

my buddy ripped his brand new 260$ authentic jersey right in half(he bought it that morning) when jacoby jones dropped a 4th quarter 4th down pass that looked like the end of our season against denver. 

 

he then proceeded to literally flip me from behind the couch, over the front of it and break the living room table when the mile high miracle happened. 

 

i wouldnt put it past em for those to be real lol. 

 

i normally have a all around bad sunday when the ravens lose heartbreaker, if they play terrible and stink it up for 4 quarters, then im over it before the games over. and yea i tend to end up a little inebriated by the end of most games, dont judge its how i spend my sundays lol, so one time after a tough loss, i step outside to have a smoke, and after about 10 seconds i just slam my half full beer can on the ground and i hear "DUDE ITS JUST A GAME CALM THE ____ DOWN". thats one specific experience i have in mind when it comes to this. 

 

i dont get that bad, but the people im forced to watch with, basically, they all suck, lol. they are clueless about football, are stuck on their phones the whole game, when i cheer theyre like "jesus dude quiet down" or something like that, it just drives me nuts lol. glad to see im not the only one whos got some thoughts on this

I stand corrected about the freak outs lol. What did it for me at the afccg was Ed reed running across the field screaming at the top of his lungs he was so happy and so excited tears were streaming down my face,  and the superbowl I was jumping up and down and screaming .

[JoeyFlex5]

That's actually hilarious. I myself have had those moments when bad things happen in a game and you just reach for that collar in total anger and hatred. Especially funny that Jacoby dropped that pass and I felt that the season was over as well, and that miracle happened. 

yea i used to take my hat off and slam it on the ground with all my might then kick it across the room when the REAL bad stuff happened lol

[RavensFan34950]

I've never felt more pain then when Cundiff missed that kick against the Patriots. Ever since that day I never looked at a football game the same way again. The way that drained me I seriously never wanted to watch Football again. So I made a vow to myself to NEVER put any emotion in watching a game again. The next season we win the Superbowl and usually I would have been jumping around acting like a fool, but I just couldn't show any true emotion even though I was happy as hell. I still love Football and still love the Ravens but Never again will I scream during a game. Lol I've been humbled.

[Moderator 2]

We are all Ravens Fans, most of us bleed purple . Per Merriam-Webster

Fan-noun

Definition of FAN

1: an enthusiastic devotee (as of a sport or a performing art) usually as a spectator

2: an ardent admirer or enthusiast (as of a celebrity or a pursuit) <science-fiction fans>

Origin of FAN

probably short for fanatic

First Known Use: 1682

Definition of FANATIC

: marked by excessive enthusiasm and often intense uncritical devotion <they're fanatic about football>

— fanatic noun

— fa·nat·i·cal·ly adverb»

Variants of FANATIC

fa·nat·ic or fa·nat·i·cal

Examples of FANATIC

<because of her fanatical views, her friends know better than to discuss football with her>

Origin of FANATIC

Latin fanaticus

First Known Use: 1550

Related to FANATIC

I live by the Tuesday rule, I am annoyed, surly, un happy and bellyaching until Tuesday and then it's next!

The loss to the Colts when the D held Manning to 5 FGs changed me. The press pot stirring for 2 weeks, the hatred stirred up because of Bob Irsay and the move-- I was a wreck on Gameday and then to lose-- I pouted until April and did not mention football until the meetings on Draftday 2007 of the first moderator group for the launch of this board. I made a deal with my family-- football from August through February and the other 6 months I had to behave lol. Also being a MOM I only recently started being able to go to night games, school homework, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas took priority lol. I did go to the Christmas night game because my kids crashed at my sisters and since I am the cook Thanksgiving is hard, I was going to try it this year but had nothing left so I gave my 3 seats to a friend so she could take her daughters, she wasn't allowed to take her son he's a Steeler fan lol

[A Fish Called Yanda]

This year I was pretty good in my reaction to losses, continuously telling myself that we won the Super Bowl last year.

 

Previous years, I have gotten rather emotional after losses - especially when we lose close games.  While it is "just a game", we invest countless hours into this sport, probably far more time than I invest into anything other than family, friends and work.  When the season is over and I know it's 8 months til football starts again, it stings.

[MrDelDante]

I'm with the majority. I get angry when we run for the 3rd time in a row for no gain, I jump out of my seat loudly cheering when Joe throws a 70yd bomb to Jacoby, I get confused when we go for it on 4th and 3 early in a game. I get anxiety when we're leading by 3 and the opposition is in the red zone. I'm a fan. I wouldn't be one if I didn't have these emotions when watching a game.

 

I do realise it's 'Just a game'. A lot of people go too far when their team is involved. (see the fighting in the stadium and after the game. See the anger in peoples eyes when they see a Steelers fan walk by etc...). This is extremism and has no place in the sport. IMO both sets of fans should be able to mix in the stands and enjoy the game.

 

I have a mate who is a Steelers fan and we get on fine. We have banter during the games, we have a bet that the loser pays for the tab and it makes the game a whole lot better than sitting there festering over the rivalry. I understand it is an intense sport, but at the end of the day we're not the ones playing it. It is for our entertainment.

[A Fish Called Yanda]

[Clipped]

 

I have a mate who is a Steelers fan and we get on fine. We have banter during the games, we have a bet that the loser pays for the tab and it makes the game a whole lot better than sitting there festering over the rivalry. I understand it is an intense sport, but at the end of the day we're not the ones playing it. It is for our entertainment.

 

This is a very good point.  One of my very good friends is a Steelers fan, another one is a Patriots fan and a third is Redskins fan.  Talk about trifecta of ughhhhhh.

 

A few years ago I probably wouldn't have been able to talk to them about football - I would have gotten too heated.  But now, we're able to converse about the games, while still throwing a little hate each others' ways.  I think the key to being able to talk football w/ a friend who is a fan of a team you hate is the need for both sides to admit the faults of their team.  I used to refuse to admit that there was anything wrong with the Ravens, even though there clearly was, and would respond to my friends just bashing their team instead of discussing the Ravens shortcomings.  That never leads to anything good - luckily me and my friends survived that phase of our life.

[Inqui]

I came close to crying after Pitta dropped a catch on 4th down in the divisional round in Denver. Just watching the Broncos try to run down the clock and realising how seriously upsetting the whole season was - between the optimism after 2012, the injuries and the recoveries. And all to lose it on two ST plays.

 

That said, swearing at the TV/computer's become a reflex for me. As for how good or bad I feel, it depends on the win or loss. Minnesota and Detroit both had me on a high for close to a week. The Patriots game sapped my ability to enjoy life for a short time after. Most games I'll be back to at least 90% functionality by the SNF game.

 

I don't really have a crowd to watch games with though. There aren't many of us in NZ.

[jdynamite]

I've never fallen to ground sobbing. But I do tend to yell a lot ( typically on: blown coverages, dropped passes, ints thrown , over-throws and the obvious bad play-call ( often this year run-run deep pass ).

When I finally noticed the game day thread ( it became a therapy for me that I could type my thoughts with others that felt that Raven pain ). We always do things the hard way win or lose. Lol

[Guest RBates]

It's only a game if you are losing.    

[KnowNoLimits]

Man.... I've cried after every playoff lost. When the Steelers beat us in the Divisional Round I turned off the TV, sat in complete silence and wept for hours.. When our Defense is on the field I get in a linebacker stance and yell at the TV ( I played linebacker in highschool)... I'm a very energetic and aggressive fan.

Troy picked Flacco off and scored in 08', Ray Rice fumbled against the colts 09', The 3rd and long catch against the Steelers when we rushed three freaking linemen in 10', and of course Billy Cundiff's missed field goal... Forever in engrained in my memories.

I also remember in 06' against the Colt when Todd Heap caught a passed, got hit, flip in the air, landed on his elbow, and fumble. I was a 12 year who was naive to football then, but that one play I can't forget. The rest is a blur.

[Poes Crows]

I buy a lot of televisions, especially after Raven games.  I have to buy new ones because the old ones get broken. They get broken because I break them in disgust. I bought 8 televisions this year and expect to buy about 10 televisions next year. I learned how healing it is to break televisions after watching a documentary about Elvis Presley and his disdain for Robert Goulet. Whenever Elvis would see Goulet on T.V. he would shoot his own T.V. out. Fortunately Ozzie Newsome is rarely on T.V. or I'd be buying a lot more televisions.

 

 

1.5 weeks til we watch 2 teams(that arent us) compete for the super bowl, basically, football is a tad bit boring right now(once the richard sherman news gets old) so i got a random topic. 

 

i was watching fan freak-out videos on youtube and i realized, i do the same thing, so i cant laugh too hard at them. who else here is one of those fans who just gets dirty looks from everyone around you because youre way more excited than them? who else hears "calm down, its just a game" multiple times every football season and wants to FLIP when they hear it? who else wishes they had a football buddy to watch games with that goes crazy too and doesnt play captain buzzkill for a whole 4 quarters every sunday? 

 

and how do you all feel about the line "calm down, its just a game" when the ravens lose a big one, or lose in a heartbreaking way?

[MrDelDante]

Not sure if serious..

[gooftroop]

Three hours of freaking out, then a nap.