Disliking the Haters

I'm too nice, I guess.  I don't get why people use their energy to HATE  pro or college sports teams (and, yes, even high school).  Have a rivalry, a nemisis or a favorite team to beat...but hate?  Really?  Maybe I'm stuck on the word "hate."  Maybe I take it too literally when a fan says "I hate the Steelers, I hate the Yankees, I hate Duke."  Or- maybe you really do hate.

The hatred of Duke is the one that baffles me most.  Coach K says his guys work hard and go to school, and if you hate that, then it's YOUR problem.  I have to agree with him.  Go ahead, boo me (or hate me), but the guy is right.  You have a problem if you hate what the Blue Devils do.  I'm not a fan of Duke (I went to Missouri), but I respect their success and work ethic.  I just don't get the hate.  Maybe it's more jealousy than hate.  I don't know.  Neither emotion is worth your time or energy.