World Championships by the Numbers

Super Bowl XLIX has come and gone and the New England Patriots became victorious with a 28-24 thrilling victory. This was a very interesting match-up and the game lived up to the hype and more. 

The Patriots were aiming for their fourth title in 14 years and their first since 2004. In contrast, the Seahawks were trying to become the first team since the Patriots repeated in 2004 ironically enough. In addition, the Seahawks were competing in their third Super Bowl in nine years. 

Both teams have had their success in the past decade, it was a shame that one team had too lose. Unfortunately, most Seahawks fans feel that the game was blown on a bad call, however for the true Seahawks fans, that is just the beginning of the pain. 

Think of it like this, despite the Seahawks being the Super Bowl favorites next year as of now, it doesn't guarantee anything. A Super Bowl Title should be special. If everything was equal, an NFL team would only win a Super Bowl Title every 32 years. This would be like the Green Bay Packers not winning the Super Bowl again until 2044.

Lets say for instance we all live to 78 years old. (Life expectancy) A person would only see their team win a Championship three times at the most.  If we add the other three major North American sports leagues and apply slightly different odds, (1 out of 30) the law of averages indicate that a person's sports teams only win a world Championship a maximum of twelve times depending on when the titles come. In my formula, I started my calculations at age ten. My reasoning behind ten was anyone younger wouldn't have the same emotional level on a sports team. 

However, we all know that World Championships aren't equal. Some teams win more than others. For instance, the Seahawks could win the next two Super Bowls, but in contrast, the Seahawks might not win a Championship for the next 35-45 years. That's sports, there is a huge unknown factor. This is where the bulk of the frustration lies for Seahawks fans. No one knows when they will be back in the big game. 

Same could be said for the Green Bay Packers, the expectation is that they will get back to the Super Bowl in the Aaron Rodgers era but nothing is for sure. Just ask Vancouver Canucks fans what it is like to think the team will get back to the Stanley Cup Finals with the same core but to not come even close. 

What it comes to down to is trust, no one knows what the future holds, that is why a Super Bowl or even a World Championship should be special. That's why its so hard for Seahawks fans. Law of averages indicate only approximately nine World Championships in someones lifetime. To put it in a percentage 9/68 is 13%. A person is only expected to win a World Championship in 13% of their years they are alive. Think about how special it should be when your team wins a title and because law of averages don't work out and the 13% is sometimes lower. This is why winning a title is an amazing feeling and so painful when it doesn't happen.