Being A Sports Fan Is Good For Brain Health

June 15, 2026

I have never been much of a sports fan. Growing up, my Dad kept me busy after school and during the summers working at the family business. During college, I became involved in student government and other activities. I remember family holiday gatherings everyone would watch football games after we ate. I would be so disinterested. The family joke was that I did not know the difference between a football and a basketball. Later, when I owned a business, my assistant would hand me an index card every Monday morning with scores and highlights from weekend games. The note allowed me to participate in conversations with clients.

Now that Alzheimer’s disease has turned my life upside down, I have time to watch sports and follow a few teams. I also learned that a basketball is round, and a football is somewhat oval! Oh yea, I have recently learned about hockey pucks.