Die-hard fans: Selective self-presentation in newspaper obituaries. (2nd January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Campbell, Jamonn; Dandignac, Mitchell; Bankert, Chris; Hall, Corey; McArthur, Kayla; Sessions, Brent; Young, Chanel
• Is Part Of: Mortality. Volume 26:Number 1(2021)
• Page Start: 112
• Page End: 123
• Publication Date: 2021-01-02
• Subjects: Sport fans -- obituaries -- self-presentation -- birging -- corfing; Thanatology -- Periodicals; Mortality -- Periodicals; Bereavement -- Periodicals; Undertakers and undertaking -- Periodicals; 304.64
• DOI: 10.1080/13576275.2020.1784122
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1357-6275

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Basking in Reflected Glory or BIRGing is the tendency for sport fans to promote their connection to successful teams and players. This archival study examines deceased individuals' BIRGing behaviours in newspaper obituaries across 36 professional sports teams. It was hypothesised that obituaries would be more likely to mention sport fans' team allegiances following successful seasons compared to losing campaigns. Consistent with this hypothesis, there were a higher proportion of obituaries mentioning the deceased's support for professional sports teams following successful seasons (55%) compared to losing seasons (45%). Differences in BIRGing behaviours across genders and types of professional sports also serve to promote future investigations.