KL Rahul & Sanjiv Goenka: Why Does Sport Bring Out The Worst In Us?

Deconstructing Behaviour in Sport using Neuroscience

In a recent incident that grabbed headlines, Sanjiv Goenka, the owner of the IPL team Lucknow Super Giants, and captain KL Rahul were seen in a verbal altercation after a disappointing loss. This event, while not ideal, opens a fascinating window into the intense world of sports where emotions often spill over. Sports, by their nature, ignite passions and sometimes lead to actions we later regret. The questions is, why are sports capable of evoking such intense emotions?

The Science of Emotional Investment in Sports

Neuro-scientific research shows that when we watch sports, our brain's neural pathways light up in areas linked to both emotional processing and kinesthetic imagery – it's almost as if we're participating in the game ourselves. This deep engagement means our emotional responses can mirror those we feel during personal triumphs or challenges. Moreover, studies indicate that being a fan of a sports team can enhance one's identity and social belonging, creating a strong emotional bond that can feel as personal as relationships with family or friends.

This exact neural connection is also the reason why you still support your favourite sporting team after decades of consistently poor performance. Royal Challenger Bangalore fans can probably relate to this. It is also the reason why a sporting teams poor performances can sometimes invoke mob like clashes post matches.

The Tribal Nature of Sports Fandom

Sports serve as a modern-day tribal gathering, providing a sense of community and belonging that is hard to replicate in other aspects of life. This tribalism, deeply rooted in our evolutionary past, can lead to intense loyalty. According to social identity theory, our self-esteem is often tied to the performance of teams we support, explaining why a loss can feel personal and a win can feel like a personal achievement. Social science explains, our sporting teams performances can also neurologically replace the wins that may be amiss in our lives, both personally and career wise.

Empathy and Understanding in High Stakes

The emotional stakes are high, not just for fans but for those directly involved in sports like players, coaches, and owners. The pressure to succeed can sometimes lead to decisions and actions made in the heat of the moment – ones that might not be representative of someone's character or typical behavior.

Ted Lasso, a character that wonderfully captures the highs and lows of sportsmanship, once said, "I hope that none of us are judged by the actions of our weakest moments, but rather by the strength we show when and if we’re given a second chance.”

The human mind has two components: an emotional driver and a rational validator. The emotional mind is 95%. It conclusions are rarely based on any logic or rational. It entirely driven by perception which is strongly correlated to the primary drivers of money, fame and power. The rational mind is 5% and its only job is to search for reason to validate an emotional decision. Remember, at no point to is attempting to shift the emotional mind away from a decision. Only to provide strong validity for a decision already taken.

Knowing that the emotional mind is the driver and that sport lights up neural pathways that connect emotions to results in a way nothing else can, a case for compassion becomes prevalent. Think back to the time you were upset with your favourite teams performance. You have have been screaming from the stands or in your favourite bar. The difference between the situation with Sanjiv Goenka and yourself was the absence of the camera. I am pretty sure if our behaviour in those moments were captured and shared, it would also leave us remorseful.

A Case for Compassion

Sports, at its core, is about human endeavour – with all its flaws and brilliance. This article is not to defend the behaviour of the owner, but to recognise that sometimes our passions trigger responses that are hardwired in our neurobiology. Those responses are not a reflection of who we are but a reflection of our passion.

Remembering the words of Ted Lasso, "I hope that none of us are judged by the actions of our weakest moments", I pen down those thoughts as a reminder that sometimes, we too can get carried away in the heat of a moment.

As we continue to revel in the drama, excitement, and unexpected moments in sports, let's also embrace the human elements at play.

Let’s be quick to support and understand, slow to judge, remembering that in the high-pressure moments, sports tap into our primal emotions and tribal loyalties. This is not an excuse for poor behaviour, but an invitation to be empathetic and considerate, recognising our shared humanity in the universal theatre of sports.

#Sportsmanship #EmpathyInSports #Leadership #TeamDynamics #LSG #SanjivGoenka #KLRahul #IPL #Cricket