The Idol of Sports

From our lesson "Respectable Sins" - Idolatry:

Whether it is a football team, a basketball team, a baseball team… or any other team (including teams our children are on), this video sure does show the kind of devotion that we can put into being a fan of their favorite sports teams. A fan… I don’t like this word at all… It is a shorter version of another word: a fanatic; which is defined as one who is completely devoted; usually in irrational ways, to a certain person or cause. Based on this definition (in my judgment), another word for 'fanatic' from the Bible would be 'idolatry.'

I remember the time before I became a Christian. So much of my life was spent watching football and other sports. I would get so into the games, so frustrated, angry, and even depressed when things did not go the way I wanted them to. Whole days and even whole weekends would be spent in front of TVs at bars and at home making sure I caught every moment. Of course, when I became a Christian, the places where I watched the games changed, and I didn’t get as angry when my teams were not doing well, but it still did affect me. I had to almost completely stop watching sports because of the kind of hold it had on my heart. Probably one of the only times I sit down and watch a whole game is when I am get together with brethren to do so. 

There is a reason why we often hear people say that they "religiously" don't miss one game their favorite team plays. Sports can quickly become a religion if we are not careful. All of the news regarding our favorite team becomes our gospel, the TV becomes our altar, the games become our "worship services", and the team becomes our object of worship. 

How devoted are to your favorite sports teams or sports figures? Has it (they) become all you want to talk about with others? Has your favorite team become what you anticipate the most during the week? Does watching them win or lose make/break your week?