The Worst Kind of Fan: Super Bowl 50 Inspires Pseudo-Fandom in Football Diehards

Super Bowl 50 is less than two weeks away and while there is, technically, a game to be played before then, everyone is transfixed on Santa Clara, Calif., where the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers will do battle in the Big Game. Nearly every fan has a team they want to contend in the match despite their colors not actually being represented but that may not be the case in this instance.

Whether it be Cam Newton's dabbin' or Wade Phillips' defense, fans becomes fans because of the style in which their team plays. Now, with that being said, it is wise to stick to your morals and defend your team even if they are not in the actual game. That is, if the team you're rooting for is not playing in the game, make sure you check the superfan facade at the door before watching the Super Bowl this year.

It is worth noting how people react before, during and after the Super Bowl each year, too. Fans are undoubtedly allowed to root for a specific team, sure, and they are even allowed to be be affected emotionally by the outcome of each game. But, too many football fans are arbitrarily invested in a game involving two teams they could not care less about over the regular season. To wit, they celebrate like their team won, or even pout and cry like the team they've spent time, energy and money supporting for years just lost.

Fans are encouraged to get into the game but those who remain neutral should not sport fake devotion bravado. One tip for the superficial enthusiast is to get off of social media. You aren't required to give play-by-play commentary of the game from your all-of-a-sudden bias. Leave that to the professional analysts or, at the very least, to the fans who have paid attention all season.

Sports interest is never life-or-death. So, if your favorite team loses you will eventually move on. During these big games it is okay to root for a team and want a certain outcome even if you're not a fan, but unless you've made yourself a clear, diehard fan of the team, don't be the guy or girl that pretends their favorite team just won the Super Bowl. Be happy, be sad, recant your opinion of the game all you'd like but let the real fans enjoy their championship.