Fandom Unbound: Geeks and Sports Nuts Join Hands

 

Face paint? Check! Menacing or magical costume? Check! Fake beard, multicolored Afro, or long braided hair? Check! Foam finger or light saber? Check! Helmet or body armor? Check! Tickets to the big event. Check. Check. Double check! Inability to contain your excitement? Well, that’s inevitable…Let’s face it. You’re not merely a geek or a fan. You’re a fanatic. And, you don’t care who knows it.

Is this really any different…

Now, for the record, I am aware that geeks can also be sports fans. I suppose sports fans can also be geeks—although, I confess, not from much personal experience. I mean if I’m at a Super Bowl party, I may watch a play or two between nachos. But, I rarely go out of my way to watch the World Series and, when March rolls around, I’m not filling out any brackets. But, I can appreciate sports fans for their enthusiasm and loyalty in much the same way that I appreciate Sci-Fi geeks for their dedication to Star Wars or Dr. Who.

Before we go any further, I feel I should issue a disclaimer. This post is all in good fun. I’m making very general statements. Most important, I am not judging. Let your geek flag fly.

 

Fan or Fanatic? Channeling Your Inner Geek

If you’re not sure if you’re a fan or a geek, here’s what Wikipedia has to say on the matter:

The word geek is a slang term originally used to describe eccentric or non-mainstream people, with different connotations ranging from “an expert or enthusiast” to “a person heavily interested in a hobby”, with a general pejorative meaning of “a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, especially one who is perceived to be overly intellectual”.

… from this?

I’d add that, while often construed as negative, the term geek has evolved over the past decade or so and is often used as a self-referential source of pride. Yeah, I’m a computer geek, but one day you’re going to work for me. And, further, the term also connotes an immense knowledge of a particular topic or field. I’m a rabid Mets fan—I know the on-base percentage for every player in the line-up. I guess you could say I’m a baseball geek.

I find the description from the web journal, SLACKPROPAGATION, spot on. A writer who goes by the name burrsettles describes “geeks as ‘collection’ oriented, gathering facts and mementos related to their subject of interest. They are obsessed with the newest, coolest, trendiest things that their subject has to offer.” Sounds like a lot of Science Fiction and sports fanatics that I know.

 

Authenticity is Key – Get Your Geek On

If you’ve ever attended a big tailgate party outside the stadium before a game, it bears a striking resemblance to the many Science or Fantasy Fiction conferences that I attend throughout the year (which reminds me – I’ll be at Anachrocon next week and Mysticon the week after!).

Both fans love to pay dress-up in homage to their particular object of fandom. They sport outrageous and often meticulously constructed costumes, make-up, and headgear. From the orange and blue face and body paint of Broncos football fans at the Super Bowl to the Avenger du jour. Whether decked out as Iron Man or Thor, you can bet these Marvel comic geeks are dead ringers for their superhero.

Both groups love to socialize with people from their own tribe. These gatherings provide the opportunity to rub elbows with other fans that actually know what you’re talking about. Remember how excited you were when you heard the announcement that Firefly was being made into a movie. Or when you finally saw the much-anticipated release of the first trailer for The Fellowship of the Ring. And football fans experience the same conviviality when they learn that their highest performing running back has been taken off the injured list and is cleared to suit-up. High fives all the way around—it’s going to be one hell of a game.

Memorabilia.‘Nuff said, right? Player’s helmets, signed jerseys, game balls, autographs, trading cards all with certifications of their authenticity. Then there are the action figures (Han Solo is one of the top favorites. Oh, to have all my old Star Wars toys back) in their original packaging, of course, vintage comic books, photos with George R. R. Martin or William Shatner, light sabers, and weaponry of every fantastical permutation. I could go on (and on) but you get my point.

This last similarity may surprise those of you who’ve never experienced a Science Fiction convention:the drinking. Now, tailgate parties are well known for the copious amounts of booze consumed. For many, that’s the whole point. But, don’t let the seemingly mild-mannered geek’s everyday civility fool you. When Browncoats, Stormtroopers, Ghostbusters and Klingons attend a convention, they’ve got more than TV and film trivia on their minds. Every hour is cocktail hour. Sports fans may have their team spirit, but there is no shortage of liquid spirits among geeks. Not at all.

 

Geektacular v. Sportstacular

The point I want to make is that geeks and sports fans have more in common than either one of us probably likes to think. The biggest common denominator, as I see it, is passion. And, I think that’s pretty cool. Whether you’re geektacular or sportstacular, I’d love to hear some feedback from some hardcore fans. Leave a comment and, as I’m officially a geek, I’ll respond immediately.

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