But what about the ulcers?
Sports fans happier, healthier, experts say
As with religion, sport has its shrines, icons and rituals.
Wann and his colleagues have been collecting data on fan rituals for the last three years. "At least one out of four fans have something ritualistic or superstitious that they do," he says. "Lots involve clothes. And a lot of them involve pets. People shave, paint and make them wear clothes. Every time we get data, we say, `Jeez, leave the pet alone.'"
Wann's personal favourite in the latest data: "One lady, her superstition was that she had to make love before each game wearing the team jersey and one sock on each foot in each of the team colours. And the biggest sports fan around was her husband."
Does all this mean it's okay to treat the playoffs as a religious experience and to worship and adore Ed Belfour and Mats Sundin?
"We do treat these people like gods," agrees Vancouver psychologist Miller. {no comment :blush}
"For some people, they are the spiritual generators of the day."
I'll get my Blue & White on.
GO LEAFS GO!!! :leafs