I'm skipping the rest of the finals, due to health concerns. Am I a bad fan?

[Cobra Jack*]

I was wondering if me skipping the remaining games of the finals makes me a bad fan. I am a huge Rangers fan, but at this point after watching the past 2 games, I do not think I can continue on watching any longer.

I literally had pains in my chest after watching the Rangers blow all those 2 goal leads the past few games, and the non-call in the 3rd tonight was the icing on the cake. When the Rangers lost Game 2 in OT, I literally had trouble breathing I was so upset.

Mentally, it has also caused me such anguish that I can not sleep nor can I function properly at work, and it has caused me major depression as well. Thoughts of hurting myself have even entered into my mind...thoughts about hating life, etc.

I know this sounds crazy, but I cannot control how I feel no matter what rational explanation goes into it. Hearing things like "all these guys are millionaires" and "it's just a game" does not help me at all, does it help you?

Nothing seems to help. I have such an attachment to this team, the past 2 games have literally sickened me. I will check the scores at the end of the game, when I feel it's safe to do so (4 to 5 hours after the start of the game). But that's it.

I managed to get through Game 1, and thought it could not get any worse than that. I was wrong. Not only did they blow a 2 goal lead in Game 2...they did it THREE TIMES instead of just once like they did in Game 1.

That literally shook me to the core, both mentally and physically. I don't want to die because of this. I literally had chest pains at the end of Game 2 and I had trouble breathing.

So my question is, am I a bad fan for skipping out on the rest of the finals? I do feel guilty about it...but I feel as if it is not worth losing my life over this and I cannot take the way this team tortures me any longer. Thoughts? Have you had any physical symptoms as well?

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[Rangerfan4life90]

I won't be watching either. Not after tonight. I'll probably try to follow the scores here and there as little as possible. If they win the cup, I'd be amazed and obviously very happy.

 

[Cobra Jack*]

I won't be watching either. Not after tonight. I'll probably try to following the scores here and there as little as possible.

I was 15 years old in 1994 and somehow managed to get through that entire playoff run, even Game 6 down 2-0 against NJ.

But I just can't do it anymore. It's weird, because you'd think now that I'm older, 20 years later, I could handle things better. But it's just the opposite, both mentally and physically.

I think part of it is, as an adult you get beaten down by "real life" more than when you were a kid. And things like the Rangers making the finals suddenly become more important because you NEED that distraction from everyday life...from the stress.

I don't know...it's just too difficult for me now, both mentally and physically. I run everyday, in excellent health. And yet at the end of the game tonight I felt like I was 95 years old, on death's door.

I don't want to feel like that again, that's why I can't watch anymore. Does that make me less of a fan?

 

[Blueshirt Believer]

If they are this emotionally painful: tape them.

 

[KenGuru]

But its now when the fun starts. 4 straight wins for NYR. LA Kings are so beatable

 

[mike14]

LOL, short of hurling racist/sexist/homophobic etc remarks at the team (and I'd argue that if you did that you aren't actually a fan in the first place), there's no such thing as a 'bad' fan. If it's too painful to watch, then don't, it doesn't effect anyone but you.

My only caution would be, what about the potential great scenes you'll miss if you tune out now?

 

[Holocene]

Anytime I feel bad/sad/mad I just try to put everything into perspective. Don't take anything too seriously. Earth could be completely wiped out tomorrow and there would be no trace of humans ever existing and the universe would continue on without being inconvenienced at all. Just appreciate what is in front of you at the moment and how quickly everything can change. I know we all love hockey and the Rangers but it's just entertainment.

 

[Jarmac]

No man, you sound like an incredibly passionate fan to me, and even more importantly, a great human being.

 

[Ola]

I was 15 years old in 1994 and somehow managed to get through that entire playoff run, even Game 6 down 2-0 against NJ.

But I just can't do it anymore. It's weird, because you'd think now that I'm older, 20 years later, I could handle things better. But it's just the opposite, both mentally and physically.

I think part of it is, as an adult you get beaten down by "real life" more than when you were a kid. And things like the Rangers making the finals suddenly become more important because you NEED that distraction from everyday life...from the stress.

I don't know...it's just too difficult for me now, both mentally and physically. I run everyday, in excellent health. And yet at the end of the game tonight I felt like I was 95 years old, on death's door.

I don't want to feel like that again, that's why I can't watch anymore. Does that make me less of a fan?

Buddy, its to bad we got a ocean apart we could hang out together game time...

I am exactly in the same position you are in. For me like pre-season is fun. Its fun to watch and follow the development of players and the team during the season. But this, what it all is supposed to be about, its just plain torture. At best you feel relieved when things are going well. I used to be an extreme kick-junkie in these situations. Could live through 100's of failures to experience one of those special situations. Sometime it turned though...

I've had a ton of work to do all spring and been in a real high pressure situation at work, its slowed down a bit now and I think it all worked out pretty well but the stress has been getting on me. Now the light is at the end of the tunnel with the Swedish summer being just around the corner. But before a game is coming up, lol, I am literary a bit scared. Can I take this?

 

[DanielBrassard]

No way man, if you feel like it's taking too much of a toll on you mentally or physically then absolutely take a break from it.

And I completely understand where you are coming from with hearing the they are millionaires, they don't care about you, it's just a game etc. It doesn't help me either, however irrational it may be.

 

[Chimpradamus]

I see it as this: You're almost too much of a fan. That obviously doesn't make you a bad fan.

I can certainly understand you. That game two was one of the most excruciating losses I've ever watched. That the Kings are up 2-0 is so undeserved it's not even funny.

 

[JESSEWENEEDTOCOOK]

Anytime I feel bad/sad/mad I just try to put everything into perspective. Don't take anything too seriously. Earth could be completely wiped out tomorrow and there would be no trace of humans ever existing and the universe would continue on without being inconvenienced at all. Just appreciate what is in front of you at the moment and how quickly everything can change. I know we all love hockey and the Rangers but it's just entertainment.

This.

 

[HeaveHo94]

I see it as this: You're almost too much of a fan. That obviously doesn't make you a bad fan.

I can certainly understand you. That game two was one of the most excruciating losses I've ever watched. That the Kings are up 2-0 is so undeserved it's not even funny.

Why are the wins undeserved? If anything they are more deserved for coming back after being 2 goals down in each game.

 

[Zil]

Why are the wins undeserved? If anything they are more deserved for coming back after being 2 goals down in each game.

They came back because the refs gave them a goal. Missing a penalty is one thing. Missing a call that literally spots a team a goal is *********.

 

[KingP]

Hurting yourself? Really? maybe you need to see a Dr

We all have little panic attacks because we invest so much emotion/time into the team but unless something is really wrong with you then its nothing to be worried about. that's what makes sports so awesome

Missing the first home game in the SCF @ home is not something I could do as a fan. I have been watching them all year and im not stopping now

 

[KOVALEV022473]

Why are the wins undeserved? If anything they are more deserved for coming back after being 2 goals down in each game.

Dude, did you watch even watch the game last night? That ****ing game was STOLEN by horrible officiating, and not for nothing, the Rangers have controlled play for 7 out of the 9 periods!

 

[Wamsutta]

Thoughts of hurting myself have even entered into my mind...thoughts about hating life, etc.

This is the part of the OP that tells me you should, no joke, probably speak with a mental health professional. Please consider my post seriously and don't assume I'm trolling. Stop watching the Rangers if the section I quoted is true, and get some help.

 

[theJUMPER]

Try a midol.

 

[Capitain Midnight]

Mentally, it has also caused me such anguish that I can not sleep nor can I function properly at work, and it has caused me major depression as well. Thoughts of hurting myself have even entered into my mind...thoughts about hating life, etc.

If this is how you are feeling. Really feeling. Honestly and truly feeling this way. Please listen to me on two things:

1 - Please don't hurt yourself. I am worried for you.
2 - Please go to see a doctor, be it an Urgent Care, Emergency Room, or your own doctor immediately. Don't rely on a message board for your health.

 

[TomLaidlaw]

Anytime I feel bad/sad/mad I just try to put everything into perspective. Don't take anything too seriously. Earth could be completely wiped out tomorrow and there would be no trace of humans ever existing and the universe would continue on without being inconvenienced at all. Just appreciate what is in front of you at the moment and how quickly everything can change. I know we all love hockey and the Rangers but it's just entertainment.

This is good advice. As you get older it is easy to become more cynical. Having perspective helps an awful lot. Think about people who have lost a child, or have an autistic child, or someone who is paralyzed. Those are real problems. The normal nonsense we view as problems is really nothing. At the end of the day it is a sporting event that you have no direct impact on, don't forget that. I was disgusted after the game last night because I care. However, I won't let it effect me when I play with my kids today.

 

[MrEctions]

As I said last night, I have learned to not attach my own emotional being to what happens with the Rangers over the years. There are SO MANY different variables at work that noone has control over. Refs are human and might be having a bad day at home before the game, the ice could be bad because its 1 degree hotter than normal etc etc. There's just so many things at work. I love the Rangers, but for me to base my own moods and emotions on their results would just be silly.

Win or lose, I wake up the next day and my own life continues. I have a 3 year old daughter, and beautiful wife, and a business to run. Its great entertainment to watch the games, and Ill certainly always be a fan and root them on, but it's not going to change my life in any significant way.

I would suggest taking a step back and looking at the Rangers for what they actually are in your life. Entertainment, nothing more, nothing less.

 

[MrEctions]

This is good advice. As you get older it is easy to become more cynical. Having perspective helps an awful lot. Think about people who have lost a child, or have an autistic child, or someone who is paralyzed. Those are real problems. The normal nonsense we view as problems is really nothing. At the end of the day it is a sporting event that you have no direct impact on, don't forget that. I was disgusted after the game last night because I care. However, I won't let it effect me when I play with my kids today.

Absolutely.

 

[KOVALEV022473]

Try a midol.

Why are you being a dick? What if he did something to him self, how would you feel then?

 

[Vitto79]

Health is more important.

 

[eco's bones]

You only live once----and who ever thought that dying wasn't going to be painful. You might as well watch the whole show.