I have never awakened on a Detroit Pistons game day filled with anxiety hoping for them to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers that night.

My weekend is not ruined when the Detroit Lions drop a close one to the Green Bay Packers.

I do not root for teams to win. I do not root for them to lose.

I am a sports fan. I am not a fan of any team.

That is the stench that comes with a 32-year sports writing career where we are told before every game “no cheering in the press box.”

After one warning about cheering, a smart ass shouted: “Can we boo?”

Can’t do that either.

I once attended a Red Wings game at Little Caesars Arena. The Wings were getting their asses handed to them before scoring two quick goals to tie the game. My friends stood, cheered and high fived each other.

I sat and watched the mayhem. One of my friends turned to me and shouted: “Stand up and cheer for your team.”

I could not. I did not.

I admit it is a terrible way to watch sports. But this is the way I have been trained for decades.

There is no cheering in the press box. And no cheering in real life for me.