what is a fan

WHAT IS A FAN?

A fan is defined as an ardent devotee; an enthusiast; usually a spectator. (worldnet, onl.) Although this statement leaves little room for argument, it does little to clarify what a fan is beyond a devoted spectator. It is my duty, as a devout sports fan, to embark upon this seemingly difficult task of defining what a fan is, to distinguish the difference between a fan and a fanatic.
A fan is someone who follows a team, event, or person. A person becomes a fan when they devote a little of themselves to what they admire. Part of being a fan is to give support to something in hopes that this support will somehow lead to the success of what ever is that you give yourself to. After reading the assigned passages, from Sport in Contemporary Society by D. Stanley Eitzen, I realize that a fan, in the case of sports is as important to sports as the athletes are themselves. The fan is what creates the heroes of sports. As a fan, one embraces a team and follows it over the y...