Why Do We Love The Underdog?

Examining the real definition of an underdog and why we, as sports fans, are so drawn to the phenomenon of rooting for the little guy

“You’re a loser.”

“You have no chance.”

“You’ll never make it.”

“You came from nothing, and that’s what you’ll end up being – nothing.”

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I hate that narrative.

Yes, I know hate’s a strong word, but I really hate that kind of talk. If the little boys and girls that heard that growing up listened to that, you probably wouldn’t have watched Tim Tebow throw a nearly 90-yard pass in 2011 on the first play of OT and shock the Steelers (and the world) to win a playoff game where they were the heavy underdogs.

Mike Piazza was selected in the 62nd round of the MLB Draft back in 1988. The odds of him making an MLB roster were slim. The odds of him staying on any roster, even if he made it, were slim. Yet, Mike Piazza now has his name in Cooperstown in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

Who can forget the Blind Side? If you’re not familiar with the movie and/or the story, it narrates the life of current Panthers lineman Michael Oher.

Oher had parents that were constantly getting into trouble with the law, and was eventually moved into foster care. His new family constantly encouraged him and helped him pursue his passion for football, earning him a college scholarship, and has had a pretty successful NFL career.

He most recently was seen blocking for MVP QB Cam Newton in the Super Bowl.

See if you can name this player: He went undrafted and played in the AFL (Arena Football League) and overseas before finally landing the starting gig with the (then) St. Louis Rams and putting on ‘The Greatest Show on Turf’.

If you hadn’t picked up on it already, his name is Kurt Warner.

Or let’s turn to a very recent example – Leicester City. They were given 5,000-1 (FIVE THOUSAND) odds to win the Premier league… and they did it. They freaking did it.

The list goes on and on.

So why do people root for underdogs? Well maybe the better question is… what is an underdog?

The Definition

I would define an underdog as the following:

Regardless of whether you are the biggest fan of sports alive, or despise them, when you watch the NCAA Tournament, tell me you haven’t voted for the 16 seed

(n) – someone (boy or girl), or a group of boys and/or girls that decided to not let the statistical odds or any type of abuse define them

Before we go any farther, I’m going to forewarn whoever is reading this that I am going to get very personal.

I was bullied growing up. While I know that that doesn’t make me any better than anyone else, I’m not asking for sympathy or attention. What I’m about to detail (I hope) helps illustrate why people root for underdogs in sports.

I have grown up with two loving parents and many supportive, encouraging, and loving friends. But the saying that ‘sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me’ is a load of poop. It’s not true. At all. Words do hurt, and are scarring, and can leave someone questioning about who they are, or more importantly, if they’re worth anything; for a very long time.

While I have never met Michael Oher, I can only imagine and speculate what he was told growing up.

If I had to guess, he was probably told that he wouldn’t amount to anything. He would be just like his ‘deadbeat dad’ or his ‘failure of a mother’. He didn’t have many role models to look up to, but when he was placed in that foster family, they chose to reverse the script. They tore it up. They told him he was cherished, and valued. He could be something, but he had to put the effort in. That effort turned him into a starting job with the Baltimore Ravens.

So why do people root for underdogs?

Let’s ask the Villanova Wildcats.

Apr 4, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Villanova Wildcats forward Kris Jenkins (2) makes the game-winning shot to defeat the North Carolina Tar Heels in the championship game of the 2016 NCAA Men /

Recent Examples

Villanova finished the season 35-5 and won the National Championship, so maybe they don’t qualify as an underdog under my definition, but they were underdogs statistically speaking.

UNC has long been a basketball powerhouse, and while facing some adversity to get to the championship game, was expected to take the title. Marcus Paige hit an unbelievable 3-point shot late in the game, but it wasn’t enough as Kris Jenkins dashed those hopes by hitting a buzzer-beating 3 to win the game.

Were a lot of people angry UNC didn’t win? Sure. But no matter if you bleed Carolina blue, had them picked as the national champion in your bracket, or whatever, you couldn’t help but smile and feel happy for Villanova. If you think I’m wrong, or are still a little PO’d because you love the Tar Heels, consider this:

Tell me you weren’t happy to see someone else win besides Duke, UNC, or Kentucky.

Tell me that as soon as you saw that ball swish through the net you weren’t shaking your head in amazement at one of the more memorable finishes to a NCAA title game in recent memory.

Tell me that you were happy for a school that hasn’t received a lot of attention nationally and finally got its shot.

No? Still aren’t with me?

Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Full disclosure: I really didn’t like LeBron James after ‘the Decision’. I thought the move was classless, unnecessary, and frankly, stupid. I respect his game, but I didn’t respect his character.

I’ve kept that opinion honestly since then, but after watching his postgame interviews after he finally broke the drought of a title in the city of Cleveland after 52 years, I was nearly moved to tears. You can tell the emotion was real from James, and how much it meant for him to break that emotional heartbreak year after year fans have suffered.

The other night at the ESPYS, John Cena ripped into the city of Cleveland and joked that the NBA was rigged because Cleveland won something. But you can’t help for feel for them.

The Browns haven’t had a solid starting-caliber QB since who knows when. RGIII I believe honestly can be that guy, but the season hasn’t started yet. They’ve been terrible forever, but you have to feel for their fanbase. Until the Cavs won the ‘ship, the Indians haven’t shown promise until the past couple of years. But what was birthed the night the Cavs won the ‘ship was hope. Hope for success. Hope for credibility. Hope for the future.

Conclusion

So why do people root for underdogs?

Because they’re just like you and me. They’re vulnerable. They’re weak. But most importantly…. they’re human.

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Regardless of whether you are the biggest fan of sports alive, or despise them, when you watch the NCAA Tournament, tell me you haven’t voted for the 16 seed. When Middle Tennessee took down Michigan State, I was annoyed. I had the Spartans winning it all, how dare Middle Tennessee knock them out.

Then it hit me – why am I rooting against them? Because they weren’t favored? Because they’re different? Because they messed up something going the way I wanted? How childish is that line of thinking? So I rooted for Middle Tennessee. I rooted for Saint Joseph’s. I rooted for Villanova. Not just because they were the underdogs, but because they embodied what I appreciate most in sports – genuine belief.

The 76ers have been a mess the past couple of years. They lost 72 games this past season. No, that is not a misprint. Yet, Jerryd Bayless signed a 3-year deal with them this offseason because he wants to make them relevant again. Gerald Henderson joined too to help mentor the young and exciting prospects on the Sixers, when he could’ve gotten more money and a more prominent role somewhere else.

They believe in the process (no, I’m not talking about that Process) of fighting for relevance and not just taking the verbal abuse from haters and doubters.

So it’s your choice if you want to root for the underdog, you have that right. But I would much rather root for the Cleveland Browns and the Villanova Wildcats of the sports world than joining the Warriors bandwagon.

Now don’t get me wrong, Stephen Curry is my favorite player in the NBA. He’s electrifying to watch. But having Steph, Klay, KD, Green, and Pachulia as a starting 5 next season is just unfair. It will be fun to watch, but I will root for the 76ers to keep improving and have someone else win.

You can hate on LeBron all you want, but you can’t deny his raw emotion he showed after bringing the city of Cleveland a championship.

must read: NBA: Predicting The Western Conference Playoff Field

You can hate Tim Tebow and all he stands for and what he says in the media, but he won an NFL playoff game.

While not everyone can be on top all the time, they were the alpha dogs because they embraced being underdogs. Will you?

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