Major sports are major parts of society. It's not anomalous to have people who love sports come from other parts of that society.
“The Southern whites are in many respects a great people. Looked at from a certain point of view, they are picturesque. If one will put oneself in a romantic frame of mind, one can admire their notions of chivalry and bravery and justice.”
“Christianity has not conquered nationalism; the opposite has been the case nationalism has made Christianity its footstool.”