What is it about the underdog that brings out such emotion in a sporting audience? I know it creates great drama when the archetypal David topples Goliath and surprises everyone but sheer unpredictability can’t be the whole story. The unexpected occurs all the time, and while it may capture our attention, it doesn’t inspire anyone to leap from the couch shrieking in delight over the actions of some complete stranger.
I assume a part of the underdog’s appeal is the desire to see something historic. When greatness reaches a certain level it becomes unprecedented and people wish to what‘s never been seen. Before his fall from grace Tiger Woods enjoyed this kind of support. We like to see firsts, and when that is joined with the feeling of backing and being linked to a winner it’s no surprise people get excited. Seeing an historic upset certainly might prey on those same emotions. Yet a 12-seed in the NCAA tournament beats a 5-seed every year, and even lower seeds pull of the big win with decent regularity. Why then is Morehead State winning a game this year, or VCU pulling off three straight small upsets, enough to delight us so?
I believe there must be something within all of us that worries there will always be someone better than us at whatever we do. We need to know that the unexpected can happen. That luck and pluck can combine to overcome innate gifts. That we might just come out on top after all. We want to believe that our fate is never sealed.
Watching Butler try to reprise last year’s magical run to the championship game (and it did feel, for lack of any other explanation, magical) I’m struck again by the hope that the little guy will pull off just one more big win. I cannot say why I feel this way, but somewhere deep down inside of me I do, and I know I am not the only one.
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