As a former athlete, coach, current fan, and lover of sports, I am fond of phrases and words that lift up the teams I support and jabs and jokes towards teams I do not support. Numerous times in my life I have connected with amazing people because of our mutual affection for a team, disdain toward an opposing team, or friendly rivalry between “my team” and theirs.
The reason sports rivalries are so meaningful is because of the authentic stories behind why someone might love the Cubs or despise the Patriots. Why would a grown man in Avery County may wear a Georgia Bulldogs jacket every day?