Being a die-hard sports fan is difficult. It's not easy. These are people that live and breathe certain sports teams around the world. They dream that a championship for their team is within grasp each year.

They wish for nothing more than to celebrate like they're on the football field with the team they root for — lifting the Lombardi trophy or they're in the locker room sipping champagne from Lord Stanley's mug.

Then there are “fans” who say they cheer for their team — but do they really? Do they honestly care what the outcome will be? Will they carry on with their lives just minutes after a devastating loss?

I understand what it's like being a die-hard considering I'm one myself. I've been through a number of heartbreakers. I've witnessed a number of games that take days, weeks, months or even years to get over.

Yes, I'm a reporter and yes I have to be unbiased and I am when it comes to my job. Last time I checked I'm not reporting on teams that have a place in my heart. If the day ever comes where I am — then my career and my livelihood trumps my passion for the certain team I've cheered for since I learned how to walk.

So, with that being said, what are you? Are you a die-hard? Or are you just a “fan”?

Here are a few “clues” I've come up with that verify whether you actually lose sleep after the game is over or whether you switch the channel after the last seconds tick off the clock and begin to watch a re-run of Seinfeld — quickly forgetting what just transpired.

First, reasons you're a die-hard:

• You yell at the television screen when your team makes a mistake — that means you're a die-hard. (They can't hear you — trust me, I've tried.)

• You watch pre-season games and actually get excited for them - that means you're a die-hard.

• You listen to the team's flagship radio station and know more about the team's seventh-round draft pick than anyone you know — that means you're a die-hard.

• Lastly, you mention the team you cheer for as “we” as if you're part of the coaching staff — that means you're a die-hard.

Now, reasons you're just a fan:

• You wear a jersey of the most popular player on the team when the big game is on and you don't even know his first name — that means you're just a fan.

• You don't know the team's record or the number of championships the team has won during its history — that means you're just a fan.

• Lastly, you forget the big game is even on television and you turn it on halfway through — that means you're just a fan.

Hopefully the next time you go to a friend's or relative's house to watch a game, this helps in distinguishing whether you're not the only die-hard within the group.