Dear Liz,
My boyfriend is really into sports—he’s always watching games, talking stats, or playing fantasy leagues. The problem is, I just can’t get into it. I’ve tried watching games with him, but I find it so boring, and I don’t even understand half of what’s going on. I’m worried this is driving a wedge between us because it’s such a big part of his life, and I don’t want to pretend to like something I don’t. How can I support his passion without feeling like I have to force myself to care about it?
Signed,
Girl on the Sidelines
Dear Girl on the Sidelines,
It’s normal not to share every interest with your partner—variety keeps life interesting! But I get it. Sports can feel like a whole other world, complete with its own language of stats and plays. The good news is, you don’t have to become a die-hard fan to be supportive.
Over the holidays, I found myself at a University of Texas at Austin football game. I’m not exactly a sports person—I figured it’d be three hours of sitting under the hot December sun, pretending to care about touchdowns. But let me tell you, the energy was electric. Fans were screaming, the band was playing, fireworks were going off with every touchdown, and there was even a drone show. By halftime, I was yelling “Hook ‘em!”
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not suddenly tuning into college football every weekend, but I wish I’d given it a shot sooner. Sometimes, the fun is contagious if you just let yourself soak it in.
Now, I’m not saying you have to love sports or even watch them regularly, but you could start by asking your boyfriend what he loves most about them. Is it the strategy? The sense of community? The nostalgia? Let his passion guide your curiosity—it’s not about loving the game, but loving that it means so much to him.
If watching games isn’t your thing, consider finding a middle ground. Maybe you can join him for a game or two now and then—bonus if it’s paired with something you enjoy, like sharing snacks or making it a get-together with friends. Then, let him have his sports time while you pursue something you’re passionate about.
Relationships thrive when each person has their own space to grow. Even small efforts will mean a lot to him, even if you don’t know a quarterback from a cornerback. Supporting each other’s individuality while celebrating what brings you together—that’s the home run for your relationship.
With love,
Liz
Tags
Column, FLWL, from liz with love, love, relationship advice, Relationships, Sports
All final editorial decisions are made by the Editor(s) in Chief and/or the Managing Editor. Authors should not be contacted, targeted, or harassed under any circumstances. If you have any grievances with this article, please direct your comments to eic@queensjournal.ca.