Fans unconciously emulate those sports they enjoy.  Soccer fans look up to players who are basically ball-skilled marathon runners.  Football players (linemen especially) utilize extra fat along with a shitload of muscle to play effectively.  But hey, the extra fat lineman mean the super-whale over there has someone to look up to thats just like him! Note that wide receivers, runningbacks, corners, safeties, and most quarterback are fairly low fat.