SportEmotions
@sportemotions.bsky.social
Insightful stories on sporting heartbreak, loyalty, and (sometimes) joy!
www.sportemotions.co
www.sportemotions.co
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SportEmotions
@sportemotions.bsky.social
· Feb 16
Why do we stay loyal to teams that disappoint us?
I launched a blog exploring the psychology and identity of sports fandom — especially the heartbreak.
Not highlights. Not hot takes.
Just why we care.
If sports feel personal to you, follow along.
#SportsCulture #Fandom #SportsPsychology
I launched a blog exploring the psychology and identity of sports fandom — especially the heartbreak.
Not highlights. Not hot takes.
Just why we care.
If sports feel personal to you, follow along.
#SportsCulture #Fandom #SportsPsychology
Maurice Richard. Jean Béliveau. Guy Lafleur.
For decades, Francophone stars were at the centre of the Canadiens' identity.
Can the Habs still play the same cultural role in Quebec without those stars?
I asked Brendan Kelly.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
For decades, Francophone stars were at the centre of the Canadiens' identity.
Can the Habs still play the same cultural role in Quebec without those stars?
I asked Brendan Kelly.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
Habs Nation – An Interview with Brendan Kelly
#MontrealCanadiens #Habs #HabsNation #BrendanKelly #GoHabsGo #NHL #Hockey #Quebec
Why do the Montreal Canadiens mean so much to their fans?
In this episode of SportEmotions, I’m joined by…
www.youtube.com
October 2, 2026 at 10:00 PM
Maurice Richard. Jean Béliveau. Guy Lafleur.
For decades, Francophone stars were at the centre of the Canadiens' identity.
Can the Habs still play the same cultural role in Quebec without those stars?
I asked Brendan Kelly.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
For decades, Francophone stars were at the centre of the Canadiens' identity.
Can the Habs still play the same cultural role in Quebec without those stars?
I asked Brendan Kelly.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
What does it mean to be a Habs fan if you've never seen the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup?
Brendan Kelly and I talk about a new generation of fans and why they're becoming so emotionally invested in the team.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
Brendan Kelly and I talk about a new generation of fans and why they're becoming so emotionally invested in the team.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
Habs Nation – An Interview with Brendan Kelly
#MontrealCanadiens #Habs #HabsNation #BrendanKelly #GoHabsGo #NHL #Hockey #Quebec
Why do the Montreal Canadiens mean so much to their fans?
In this episode of SportEmotions, I’m joined by…
www.youtube.com
September 30, 2026 at 11:00 PM
What does it mean to be a Habs fan if you've never seen the Canadiens win the Stanley Cup?
Brendan Kelly and I talk about a new generation of fans and why they're becoming so emotionally invested in the team.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
Brendan Kelly and I talk about a new generation of fans and why they're becoming so emotionally invested in the team.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
September 29, 2026 at 11:58 PM
The Habs are back. 🏒
But the Canadiens have always been about more than hockey.
Why does this team continue to inspire such an intense emotional connection?
I asked Brendan Kelly, author of Habs Nation.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
But the Canadiens have always been about more than hockey.
Why does this team continue to inspire such an intense emotional connection?
I asked Brendan Kelly, author of Habs Nation.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
Habs Nation – An Interview with Brendan Kelly
#MontrealCanadiens #Habs #HabsNation #BrendanKelly #GoHabsGo #NHL #Hockey #Quebec
Why do the Montreal Canadiens mean so much to their fans?
In this episode of SportEmotions, I’m joined by…
www.youtube.com
September 29, 2026 at 10:30 PM
The Habs are back. 🏒
But the Canadiens have always been about more than hockey.
Why does this team continue to inspire such an intense emotional connection?
I asked Brendan Kelly, author of Habs Nation.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
But the Canadiens have always been about more than hockey.
Why does this team continue to inspire such an intense emotional connection?
I asked Brendan Kelly, author of Habs Nation.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
The NHL season starts tonight!🏒
And the Habs are back.
What better time to ask: Why do the Canadiens mean so much to their fans?
I spoke with Brendan Kelly, author of Habs Nation, about Habs fandom, Quebec and the team’s cultural place.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
And the Habs are back.
What better time to ask: Why do the Canadiens mean so much to their fans?
I spoke with Brendan Kelly, author of Habs Nation, about Habs fandom, Quebec and the team’s cultural place.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
Habs Nation – An Interview with Brendan Kelly
#MontrealCanadiens #Habs #HabsNation #BrendanKelly #GoHabsGo #NHL #Hockey #Quebec
Why do the Montreal Canadiens mean so much to their fans?
In this episode of SportEmotions, I’m joined by…
www.youtube.com
September 29, 2026 at 4:00 PM
The NHL season starts tonight!🏒
And the Habs are back.
What better time to ask: Why do the Canadiens mean so much to their fans?
I spoke with Brendan Kelly, author of Habs Nation, about Habs fandom, Quebec and the team’s cultural place.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
And the Habs are back.
What better time to ask: Why do the Canadiens mean so much to their fans?
I spoke with Brendan Kelly, author of Habs Nation, about Habs fandom, Quebec and the team’s cultural place.
🎥 www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiJF...
#GoHabsGo
Are you more attached to your team, or to the people who support it? Maybe they’re the same. Maybe they’re completely different.
My latest piece explores fanship vs. fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#Sports
My latest piece explores fanship vs. fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#Sports
Am I a Bad Bills Fan? Fanship, Fandom, and the Buffalo Bills
I have been a Buffalo Bills fan since I was a child.
sportemotions.co
September 26, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Are you more attached to your team, or to the people who support it? Maybe they’re the same. Maybe they’re completely different.
My latest piece explores fanship vs. fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#Sports
My latest piece explores fanship vs. fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#Sports
I kind of admire bandwagon fans. They get good times without the bad ones. Why sign up for decades of disappointment?
My conversation with a psychologist made me rethink loyalty.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#Sports
My conversation with a psychologist made me rethink loyalty.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#Sports
Am I a Bad Bills Fan? Fanship, Fandom, and the Buffalo Bills
I have been a Buffalo Bills fan since I was a child.
sportemotions.co
September 25, 2026 at 11:45 PM
I kind of admire bandwagon fans. They get good times without the bad ones. Why sign up for decades of disappointment?
My conversation with a psychologist made me rethink loyalty.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#Sports
My conversation with a psychologist made me rethink loyalty.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#Sports
I watch the Bills alone. I rarely talk to other Bills fans. So am I a bad fan?
Maybe I’m just high in fanship and low in fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#BillsMafia #NFL #Sports
Maybe I’m just high in fanship and low in fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#BillsMafia #NFL #Sports
Am I a Bad Bills Fan? Fanship, Fandom, and the Buffalo Bills
I have been a Buffalo Bills fan since I was a child.
sportemotions.co
September 25, 2026 at 4:02 PM
I watch the Bills alone. I rarely talk to other Bills fans. So am I a bad fan?
Maybe I’m just high in fanship and low in fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#BillsMafia #NFL #Sports
Maybe I’m just high in fanship and low in fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#BillsMafia #NFL #Sports
With the Habs, I seek out the fan community. With the Bills, it’s mostly just me and the team.
There’s a psychological reason: fanship vs. fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#BillsMafia #GoHabsGo
There’s a psychological reason: fanship vs. fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#BillsMafia #GoHabsGo
Am I a Bad Bills Fan? Fanship, Fandom, and the Buffalo Bills
I have been a Buffalo Bills fan since I was a child.
sportemotions.co
September 24, 2026 at 11:00 PM
With the Habs, I seek out the fan community. With the Bills, it’s mostly just me and the team.
There’s a psychological reason: fanship vs. fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#BillsMafia #GoHabsGo
There’s a psychological reason: fanship vs. fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#BillsMafia #GoHabsGo
What makes someone a sports fan? Does deep attachment require a fan community?
I spoke with psychologist Stephen Reysen about fanship, fandom, identity and belonging.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#SportsPsychology
I spoke with psychologist Stephen Reysen about fanship, fandom, identity and belonging.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#SportsPsychology
Am I a Bad Bills Fan? Fanship, Fandom, and the Buffalo Bills
I have been a Buffalo Bills fan since I was a child.
sportemotions.co
September 24, 2026 at 5:05 PM
What makes someone a sports fan? Does deep attachment require a fan community?
I spoke with psychologist Stephen Reysen about fanship, fandom, identity and belonging.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#SportsPsychology
I spoke with psychologist Stephen Reysen about fanship, fandom, identity and belonging.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#SportsPsychology
Reposted by SportEmotions
Sports media: we talk about “fandom”. But are we talking about two things?
Fanship: connection to a team. Fandom: connection to other fans.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#SportsNews #SportsJournalist
Fanship: connection to a team. Fandom: connection to other fans.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#SportsNews #SportsJournalist
Am I a Bad Bills Fan? Fanship, Fandom, and the Buffalo Bills
I have been a Buffalo Bills fan since I was a child.
sportemotions.co
September 24, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Sports media: we talk about “fandom”. But are we talking about two things?
Fanship: connection to a team. Fandom: connection to other fans.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#SportsNews #SportsJournalist
Fanship: connection to a team. Fandom: connection to other fans.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#SportsNews #SportsJournalist
Reposted by SportEmotions
I love this, what a wonderful article. I never thought about the difference. I grew up in Buffalo and had season tickets in the Kelly era. For me its both fandom and fanship. You are a great bills fan, never doubt it.
September 23, 2026 at 9:44 PM
I love this, what a wonderful article. I never thought about the difference. I grew up in Buffalo and had season tickets in the Kelly era. For me its both fandom and fanship. You are a great bills fan, never doubt it.
Reposted by SportEmotions
There is no bad Bills fan, no matter who or where you are or how you choose to interact. And here you are #BillsMafia hashtagging. You are part of the community. 🦬💙🏈
September 24, 2026 at 10:42 AM
There is no bad Bills fan, no matter who or where you are or how you choose to interact. And here you are #BillsMafia hashtagging. You are part of the community. 🦬💙🏈
Sports media: we talk about “fandom”. But are we talking about two things?
Fanship: connection to a team. Fandom: connection to other fans.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#SportsNews #SportsJournalist
Fanship: connection to a team. Fandom: connection to other fans.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#SportsNews #SportsJournalist
Am I a Bad Bills Fan? Fanship, Fandom, and the Buffalo Bills
I have been a Buffalo Bills fan since I was a child.
sportemotions.co
September 24, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Sports media: we talk about “fandom”. But are we talking about two things?
Fanship: connection to a team. Fandom: connection to other fans.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#SportsNews #SportsJournalist
Fanship: connection to a team. Fandom: connection to other fans.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#SportsNews #SportsJournalist
Am I a bad Bills fan?
I’ve supported the Bills since childhood, but rarely interact with other Bills fans.
I spoke with a psychologist about fanship vs. fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#BillsMafia #NFL
I’ve supported the Bills since childhood, but rarely interact with other Bills fans.
I spoke with a psychologist about fanship vs. fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#BillsMafia #NFL
Am I a Bad Bills Fan? Fanship, Fandom, and the Buffalo Bills
I have been a Buffalo Bills fan since I was a child.
sportemotions.co
September 23, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Am I a bad Bills fan?
I’ve supported the Bills since childhood, but rarely interact with other Bills fans.
I spoke with a psychologist about fanship vs. fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#BillsMafia #NFL
I’ve supported the Bills since childhood, but rarely interact with other Bills fans.
I spoke with a psychologist about fanship vs. fandom.
sportemotions.co/f/am-i-a-bad...
#BillsMafia #NFL
Why keep supporting a team that causes you so much pain?
Sports can produce incredible highs, but also frustration, anxiety and suffering. Yet walking away can feel almost impossible.
Stephen Reysen @etamu.bsky.social and I discuss why.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWL...
#SportsPsychology
Sports can produce incredible highs, but also frustration, anxiety and suffering. Yet walking away can feel almost impossible.
Stephen Reysen @etamu.bsky.social and I discuss why.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWL...
#SportsPsychology
September 17, 2026 at 11:00 PM
Why keep supporting a team that causes you so much pain?
Sports can produce incredible highs, but also frustration, anxiety and suffering. Yet walking away can feel almost impossible.
Stephen Reysen @etamu.bsky.social and I discuss why.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWL...
#SportsPsychology
Sports can produce incredible highs, but also frustration, anxiety and suffering. Yet walking away can feel almost impossible.
Stephen Reysen @etamu.bsky.social and I discuss why.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWL...
#SportsPsychology
Why do sports fans dislike bandwagon fans so much?
Stephen Reysen @etamu.bsky.social discusses why it may have less to do with passion and more with whether we see fans as genuine, consistent and part of the group.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWL...
#SportsPsychology #Fandom
Stephen Reysen @etamu.bsky.social discusses why it may have less to do with passion and more with whether we see fans as genuine, consistent and part of the group.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWL...
#SportsPsychology #Fandom
Fandom & Fanship - An Interview with Stephen Reysen
#Fandom #Fanship #SportsPsychology #sportsfans
What’s the difference between being a fan of something and being part of its fandom?
In this episode of the SportEmotions podcast, I speak with…
www.youtube.com
September 16, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Why do sports fans dislike bandwagon fans so much?
Stephen Reysen @etamu.bsky.social discusses why it may have less to do with passion and more with whether we see fans as genuine, consistent and part of the group.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWL...
#SportsPsychology #Fandom
Stephen Reysen @etamu.bsky.social discusses why it may have less to do with passion and more with whether we see fans as genuine, consistent and part of the group.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWL...
#SportsPsychology #Fandom
What’s the difference between being a fan of a team and being part of its fandom?
I spoke with Stephen Reysen, Associate Professor @etamu.bsky.social, about “fanship” and “fandom” and how we connect with sports and other fans.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWL...
#SportsPsychology #Fans
I spoke with Stephen Reysen, Associate Professor @etamu.bsky.social, about “fanship” and “fandom” and how we connect with sports and other fans.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWL...
#SportsPsychology #Fans
Fandom & Fanship - An Interview with Stephen Reysen
#Fandom #Fanship #SportsPsychology #sportsfans
What’s the difference between being a fan of something and being part of its fandom?
In this episode of the SportEmotions podcast, I speak with…
www.youtube.com
September 15, 2026 at 4:00 PM
What’s the difference between being a fan of a team and being part of its fandom?
I spoke with Stephen Reysen, Associate Professor @etamu.bsky.social, about “fanship” and “fandom” and how we connect with sports and other fans.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWL...
#SportsPsychology #Fans
I spoke with Stephen Reysen, Associate Professor @etamu.bsky.social, about “fanship” and “fandom” and how we connect with sports and other fans.
🎧 www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPWL...
#SportsPsychology #Fans
It's finally here.
Another Bills season.
Another opportunity to believe.
Let's do this.
#BillsMafia #GoBills
Another Bills season.
Another opportunity to believe.
Let's do this.
#BillsMafia #GoBills
September 13, 2026 at 4:09 PM
It's finally here.
Another Bills season.
Another opportunity to believe.
Let's do this.
#BillsMafia #GoBills
Another Bills season.
Another opportunity to believe.
Let's do this.
#BillsMafia #GoBills
Bills fans, tomorrow we begin the annual ritual:
Hope → excitement → anxiety → irrational confidence → disappointment.
Or hopefully this time it'll be different.
That's what makes us fans.
#GoBills #BillsMafia #NFL
Hope → excitement → anxiety → irrational confidence → disappointment.
Or hopefully this time it'll be different.
That's what makes us fans.
#GoBills #BillsMafia #NFL
September 12, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Bills fans, tomorrow we begin the annual ritual:
Hope → excitement → anxiety → irrational confidence → disappointment.
Or hopefully this time it'll be different.
That's what makes us fans.
#GoBills #BillsMafia #NFL
Hope → excitement → anxiety → irrational confidence → disappointment.
Or hopefully this time it'll be different.
That's what makes us fans.
#GoBills #BillsMafia #NFL
Reposted by SportEmotions
To be honest the Allen and Diggs show was only fun if Diggs could make a catch but otherwise JA risked injury to do the job the RBs should have been doing. So I was thrilled once Brady took over as OC. Brady's "everybody eats" approach made us a better team, safer for JA, and more fun to watch.
September 12, 2026 at 6:28 PM
To be honest the Allen and Diggs show was only fun if Diggs could make a catch but otherwise JA risked injury to do the job the RBs should have been doing. So I was thrilled once Brady took over as OC. Brady's "everybody eats" approach made us a better team, safer for JA, and more fun to watch.
Reposted by SportEmotions
I get what you mean, I went through it in the 90s with this team. It can be rough, but believe me, it’s a lot more fun to have a relevant team that gets noticed and talked about and plays in prime time. Those 8-8, 9-7 mediocre teams were a drag. Enjoy this, no matter what happens.
September 12, 2026 at 12:10 PM
I get what you mean, I went through it in the 90s with this team. It can be rough, but believe me, it’s a lot more fun to have a relevant team that gets noticed and talked about and plays in prime time. Those 8-8, 9-7 mediocre teams were a drag. Enjoy this, no matter what happens.
NFL fans: has your relationship with your team changed as they've become better?
I think mine has.
When the Bills were terrible, I didn't expect much.
Now I spend the season believing they could actually win the Super Bowl ... and that makes every playoff loss hurt so much more.
#BillsMafia #NFL
I think mine has.
When the Bills were terrible, I didn't expect much.
Now I spend the season believing they could actually win the Super Bowl ... and that makes every playoff loss hurt so much more.
#BillsMafia #NFL
September 11, 2026 at 11:00 PM
NFL fans: has your relationship with your team changed as they've become better?
I think mine has.
When the Bills were terrible, I didn't expect much.
Now I spend the season believing they could actually win the Super Bowl ... and that makes every playoff loss hurt so much more.
#BillsMafia #NFL
I think mine has.
When the Bills were terrible, I didn't expect much.
Now I spend the season believing they could actually win the Super Bowl ... and that makes every playoff loss hurt so much more.
#BillsMafia #NFL
Sports fandom is strange.
When your team is bad, losing is disappointing but expected.
When your team is good, losing hurts because you genuinely believed.
Maybe that's why being a Bills fan feels more exhausting now.
#BillsMafia
When your team is bad, losing is disappointing but expected.
When your team is good, losing hurts because you genuinely believed.
Maybe that's why being a Bills fan feels more exhausting now.
#BillsMafia
September 10, 2026 at 8:48 PM
Sports fandom is strange.
When your team is bad, losing is disappointing but expected.
When your team is good, losing hurts because you genuinely believed.
Maybe that's why being a Bills fan feels more exhausting now.
#BillsMafia
When your team is bad, losing is disappointing but expected.
When your team is good, losing hurts because you genuinely believed.
Maybe that's why being a Bills fan feels more exhausting now.
#BillsMafia