Does the fact that I like (watching) sports make me less of a nerd?

[[atomi|c|adaver]]

I am a self-proclaimed nerd, and an 'ubernerd' according to this website, and I am even going to be attending a traditionally nerdy school. (I.E. WoW LAN parties on the weekends.)

While I am physically inept to play sports, I genuinely enjoy watching sports (Association Football and North American Football, specifically), and I can get very 'involved' in a game, but what I want to know is, does that alienate me from other nerds, or in any way damage my credibility (as a nerd)?

 

[ChildofGallifrey]

You're thinking too much into the labels. Honestly, I think most 'nerds' enjoy sports to some extent. I follow college and professional American football very closely, and I'm also an 'ubernerd' according to the Escapist. I own Madden '11 (although that could have something to do with me being a lifelong New Orleans Saints fan), I play it and I genuinely enjoy it.

This is real life mate. This isn't high school where all 'nerds' can do are play chess and video games, while only the big muscley jocks play sports and get all the girls. You're allowed to have many different interests here =)

 

[Stasisesque]

Since when did "nerds" have credibility?

Why do you care?

 

[tzimize]

Not really, it just means you have an interest that I do not share.

I dont enjoy sports. In fact I find it not only tedious but fucking stupid. If my entertainment dont have a story it is usually not worth watching.

 

[CrystalShadow]

Well, no. Why should it matter?

The only thing that it might mean is that you'll have difficulty finding people that share that particular interest with you. (in theory. You never really know who likes what at the end of the day.)

And this stuff is all semantics at the end of the day anyway.

Based on some definitions, athletes are frequently 'nerds' too. It's just that their obsessions have very little in common with the more typical usage of 'nerd' as a word.

 

[Amethyst Wind]

Well, if you're really worried about how much 'nerd' is in your day, act supremely nerdy about these things: Visit NFL.com frequently, play fantasy football (both sports) and generally geek it up.

Or...

You could calm down and just enjoy what you enjoy, without worrying about some theoretical level of nerd you have.

 

[EternalFacepalm]

Unless you're being an absolute prick about it, no. Generally, I don't even know how to say "how much of a nerd," does it have a numerical value or something?

I watch e-Sports, no-one's had a problem with that.

 

[Andy Shandy]

Definition of a nerd (according to a quick Google search)
1. A foolish or contemptible person who lacks social skills or is boringly studious: "one of those nerds who never asked a girl to dance".
2. An intelligent, single-minded expert in a particular technical discipline or profession.

Do you become less foolish or contemptible who gains social skills or are "excitingly unscholarly" whilst watching sports? Or become a less intelligent, multi-minded average Joe. If so, then yes, watching sports does technically make you less of a nerd. Otherwise, you stay at the same "Nerd Cred", perhaps more if you become an expert about sports.

I'm pretty sure "nerds" enjoy sports as much as "jocks" enjoy video games

 

[Raziel5150]

I don't think it really matters to be honest. I play video games and watch baseball and wrestling. Wrestling is typically deemed as entertainment for "rednecks", right up there w/ NASCAR. Do I consider myself a redneck? Nope. Do I consider myself a nerd for playing video games? Again, that would be a no. If you like something, don't worry about it, or what other people might label you as.

 

[SckizoBoy]

according to movie bob sports fans are nerds too

Well they are, aren't they? We gush over the release of an overhyped game in the same way that Man U fans are gushing over the club's acquisition of Ashley Young for fucking GBP17million. They just nerd out over different topics/stats.

Hell, I enjoy watching cricket, football, rugby, tennis and golf. If anything, it makes me more of a nerd that I know the averages, completed passes, yards gained etc. for a lot of teams/players. *shrug*

Bottom line... don't really care.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

Since nerds are people who are into intellectual pursuits, yeah.

 

[similar.squirrel]

Nerds are characterized by their obsession with things that don't really matter. There's no real difference between a sports fan and, say, a Trekkie.
Except the former has probably touched more boobs.

A question, though: Why are people proud of being nerdy?

 

[Mischlings]

I'm most definitely a nerd, but I'm watching a baseball game right now. I also watch basketball, hockey, and football, sometimes along with other sports (I'll even watch golf and lacrosse sometimes). As Moviebob said, there's little real difference between them except for the fact that one is more socially acceptable than the other.

 

[eatenbyagrue]

Nah. Nerd is a state of mind, so if you think you are, you probably are. Plus, sports fans can get as weird as nerds do.

Coincidentally, I've had friends question my nerd-hood (nerd-ness? nerd-dom? nerd-ity?) ever since I started dating a model.

 

[Caveworm]

Nope. I like my football, cricket, tennis, rugby, etc.

Life is full of interesting hobbies and activities, I say enjoy what you like.

 

[SadakoMoose]

]I am a self-proclaimed nerd, and an 'ubernerd' according to this website, and I am even going to be attending a traditionally nerdy school. (I.E. WoW LAN parties on the weekends.)

While I am physically inept to play sports, I genuinely enjoy watching sports (Association Football and North American Football, specifically), and I can get very 'involved' in a game, but what I want to know is, does that alienate me from other nerds, or in any way damage my credibility (as a nerd)?

http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.293145-Why-dont-more-self-proclaimed-Nerds-watch-Wrestling?page=1
To quote Balki
"Don't be ridiculous"

 

[2fish]

Dear Sir or Madam,

Your request to join club nerd/geek has been DENIED for reasons unrelated to this post. while this does not make you any less of a nerd/geek please turn in ID card as well as your club savings card within the next 2 weeks.

Thank you,

The Nerd Mafia.


I love the fact that you build yourself inside the labels that other put on you. Be who you are and let the labelers try to figure out what box to put you into.

A question, though: Why are people proud of being nerdy?

You obviously never got into club nerd either, we has the hottest nerd stuff.

Ok ok I will give a real answer; It is akin to people being proud of being a fan of a sports team or a fan of a band. It is a way to exclude others and feel better about oneself or wear the label people put on you proudly thus making it your label rather than theirs.

Different people have different reasons for the same action.