Among the many reasons one could never be a professional athlete, a lack of pettiness stands out. It takes effort to stay motivated as an athlete, with some using perceived slights to fuel their game.
Athletes often treat having a chip on their shoulder like part of their uniform, seeking any disrespect to motivate themselves. The "revenge game" concept has been embraced by sports media, where a player faces their former team.
having a chip on their shoulder like it’s part of their uniform
Sometimes, the hype surrounding a revenge game fails to live up to expectations. Author summary: Revenge games motivate athletes.