Column: How the Game Changes After You Stop Playing

Watching Sports vs. Experiencing Sports: Two Completely Different Feelings

Living for Game Day

I used to measure my life by game day. When you’re an athlete, the entire week builds toward one moment. Your body feels tight, your heart beats faster, and the locker room carries a mix of noise and focus. Music plays while teammates joke around to calm their nerves. At the same time, coaches deliver final speeches that remind everyone what’s at stake.

Then suddenly, you run onto the field. Now, I don’t.

The Transition from Athlete to Spectator

KW practicing before their game against Ottawa

I’m no longer a college athlete. Instead of stepping onto the field, I sit on the couch like everyone else. Over time, I’ve realized something important: watching sports and experiencing sports are two completely different feelings. Although both involve the same game, the emotions behind them are not the same.

Playing Makes It Personal

To begin with, playing the game makes everything feel personal. Every play matters, you are directly involved. When you make a mistake, you feel it immediately. On the other hand, when you make a big play, adrenaline rushes through your body in a way that is hard to describe.

While the crowd sees entertainment, the player feels responsibility.

Pressure You Can’t See on TV

For example, when the score is close late in the game, your chest tightens and your legs grow heavy. Even so, you push through the exhaustion because your teammates are counting on you. That pressure builds character. It teaches discipline, responsibility, and focus. More importantly, it forces you to stay calm when everything feels overwhelming.

However, most fans never see that side of sports. They don’t wake up sore the next morning. They don’t sit quietly after a tough loss. They aren’t in the locker room listening to emotional speeches when everyone is exhausted but proud. In the end, experiencing sports changes you from the inside out.

Watching with a New Perspective

Photo by Ryah Klima / The stairs at the Graves Family Sports Complex where the event will be held.

In contrast, watching sports gives you distance from the action. Now, when I sit on the couch, I notice strategy more clearly. I recognize formations, understand coaching decisions, and sometimes even predict plays before they happen. In some ways, watching has made me smarter about the game.

The Illusion of Simplicity

At the same time, it becomes easy to judge. I sometimes catch myself saying, “He should’ve caught that,” or “Why would they call that play?” Then I stop and remind myself how different it feels on the field.

I remember how tired your body becomes in the fourth quarter. I remember how loud the stadium gets and how quickly everything moves. Decisions must be made in seconds, not in slow motion like we see on TV. Simply put, watching sports feels calm and analytical. Experiencing sports feels intense and demanding.

The Emotional Weight of Winning and Losing

Beyond the physical difference, the emotional gap is even greater. As a fan, if your team loses, you may feel upset for a few hours. As a player, however, a loss can stay with you for days. You replay mistakes in your mind and think about what you could have done differently. The responsibility feels heavier because you were part of the result.

The Brotherhood Beyond the Game

In addition to the competition, there is something else you lose when you stop playing: the brotherhood. You miss seeing your teammates every day. You miss the bus rides filled with laughter, the inside jokes, and the quiet moments before kickoff. Some of my favorite memories were not even during the games themselves. Instead, they happened at practice, in the locker room, or during long road trips. That connection is difficult to replace.

Learning to Appreciate the Game Differently

At first, stepping away from sports felt strange. Saturdays no longer had the same energy, and I didn’t know how to simply relax and watch. Gradually, though, I developed a new appreciation for the game.

Now, when I watch, I don’t just see highlights. I see preparation. I see hard work. I see young athletes chasing dreams the same way I once did.

A Love That Changes, Not Disappears

Although my role has changed, my love for sports has not disappeared. Instead, it has evolved. Watching sports allows reflection, while experiencing sports builds identity. Both perspectives matter, and both teach valuable lessons. Still, they are not the same.

Final Reflection

In the end, watching sports is exciting, but experiencing sports is unforgettable. Once you have been on the field, you never see the game the same way again. You understand the sacrifice behind every play and respect the effort behind every highlight. Going from athlete to spectator is not easy. However, it provides something powerful: perspective.

And perhaps that perspective is the greatest lesson of all. Because once you have experienced sports for yourself, the game stays with you long after the final whistle blows.