Elite quarterbacks do not laugh when they are losing: Exploring fan responses to athletes' emotional displays

Abstract

Athletes experience a multitude of emotions during sport competition. How they manage and regulate emotions is, to some degree, influenced by social expectations. This research explored how fans framed emotional expressions by National Football League quarterback Derek Anderson during and after a Monday Night Football game. A thematic analysis of 304 postings in an ESPN.com discussion forum was conducted. Results revealed that fans viewed Anderson's emotional expressions as: (a) appropriate behaviour; (b) lack of professionalism; and (c) a character flaw. The results suggest that fans hold inconsistent expectations about athletes’ emotional displays and that these shifting preferences place athletes in complex positions as they attempt to manage and regulate their emotions before, during, and after sporting events.

Keywords:

• emotions
• athletes
• framing
• emotional deviance
• discussion forums
• non-verbal cues

Notes

1. Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were arguably the top two quarterbacks in the National Football League during the 2000–2010 decade.