Title image © Sylvain Sarrailh

How TTRPGs and Sports Tell Stories in Similar Ways...

This blog post is part 3 in a series on rethinking and reimagining TTRPGs. It is super subjective and slightly (ok... VERY) opinionated. Hit the links below and get caught up to speed.

- Part 1: My Problem With the TTRPG Experience (Part 1/7)

- Part 2: Defining a "Tabletop Role Playing Game"

So... quick confession. I intended the next blog post to be about why stories matter. To really define what stories are, how TTRPGs are stories, and why that makes them such a powerful experience.

The issue is... THAT is much more of a bottomless pit of reading than I originally thought! And so for this month, I am pivoting to something much easier, but potentially much more controversial (especially for this audience...)

Ready?

Here it goes...

TTRPGS and sports tell stories in the SAME WAY.

You read that right.

Sparked the idea based on what Rich Eisen said on a podcast: "The NFL is the greatest storytelling machine" (can't find the exact quote, but this video elaborates on the idea).

When I first heard that years ago, I was initially taken aback. So many TTRPG players describe it as "cooperative storytelling"... how could FOOTBALL PLAYERS do it better?

I mean, Rick and Morty made a joke that sports are literally the opposite of a story. And here was an Emmy award-winning host, an emotionally-balanced and smart man, claiming the EXACT OPPOSITE. After some thought, I can see where Dan Harmon is coming from:

• Stories are inherently structured. They are almost the opposite of chaos.
• Sports are the exact opposite: it is absolute chaos bounded by rules. Every year, something happens in the NFL that has NEVER happened before.

That said... TTRPGs are also a unique from of story... and they too have chaos (dice) and multiple (sometimes competing) authors that thwart story structure. 

Which led me to this conclusion: 

I believe that the storytelling "attitude"... or the "approach"... should be the same for both athlete and TTRPGers.

And rather than burying the lead like I'm prone to do, I'll state my "thesis" and then illustrate and explain:

"TTRPGS and sports share two things when it comes to storytelling: 1) the players take an active role in how the story is told, and 2) the story is the OUTCOME of the game... not the GOAL."

The first part is obvious. Yes, players are bound by rules and regulations, but players still have agency. This is especially true in sports, but is a hallmark of TTRPGs as well.

But it's the second point I suspect to be contentious... 

For both, the story is the OUTCOME of the game... not the GOAL. 

What I mean is that athletes never begin a match/game with the attitude: "I hope I tell and experience a really good story today." They may hope it is "epic" or "exciting," but 90% of their focus is: "I am going to play a good game." 

And it is my contention that TTRPG players should have the exact same attitude. You are there to play a (very unique) game, not tell a story. The story is the result of your game, not your goal.

I can imagine three objections to this:

1. "Sports don't tell stories!"
2. "TTRPGers ARE there to tell a story."
3. "You are an opinionated freak, of COURSE TTRPGs are all about storytelling!"

Counter Point A: U.S.A. Olympic Hockey

(Heartbroken Canadian readers, feel free to skip). 

One of the most anticipated events in the 2026 Milan Olympics was the men's gold metal game between the United States and Canada. But this was no simple matchup. Let me walk through several of the factors that were in play leading up to the game:

• The USA team had not beaten Canada in 46 years
• The last time they faced Canada (2025 Four Nations), the USA neeeeeearly won and lost in utterly heartbreaking fashion
• The Canadian team was STACKED... some claimed it was the best hockey team ever assembled.
• The USA team had not won gold since the miraculous 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid, where they defeated the "unbeatable" Soviet team (the "Miracle on Ice"). 
• In fact, the USA/Canada final game was taking place on February 22nd, the same day they beat the Soviets 46 years ago.
• Johnny Gaudreau, one of the captains of Team USA, the heart and soul of the team, had been tragically hit by a drunk driver in 2024. His wife, children, and parents were present at the game.
• The Canadian captain... Conor McDavid... is the best player in the story. And despite his skill, he has continually fallen short of the championship. Canada was desperate for their hero to complete his journey and win the prize.

Long story short: the stakes were HIGH. 

Everything was present for an amazing story.

But they had to play the game first.

And boy did they... and Canada did too:

1st Period: U.S.A. Sets the Tone

The Americans came out ready to skate and hit... and FAST. Canada was on the offense a little more, but they seemed more focused on matching the U.S. in intensity. The first goal came on the U.S.A.'s first shot, as Matt Boldy passed himself the puck with an amazing move that split two defenders.

Score at the end of one period: 1-0.

2nd Period: Canada Unleashes

Canada came out much faster and more aggressively, putting immense pressure on the American defense. At first, Canada was rewarded early, with Makar scoring with a slick wrist shot 1t 18:16. But otherwise, the U.S. defends. Even when Canada had a 5-3 advantage for nearly 2 minutes, the Americans held.

Score at the end of two periods: 1-1.

3rd Period: The Americans BARELY Hold On

It was a Canadian offensive onslaught. They just kept on coming. Non-stop pressure from Canada eager to put the U.S. away. But they couldn't do it. All because of U.S. goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. When teenage phenom Celebrini had a breakaway, Hellebuyck shut the door. When Canada had a near open net, Hellebuyck extended his stick for the most amazing stick save you will ever see. Throughout the game, Hellebuyck was 40/42... a life-defining performance. The only reason Americans were able to hang on for dear life was thanks to Hellebuyck.

Score at the end of three periods: 1-1.

Overtime: Unforgettable Ending

It appears that Canada fell seeking the fairytale ending. Their mega-stars... Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Connor McDavid... had already played SIGNIFICANT minutes (having trouble finding the numbers, but average was over ⅓ of total ice time. Connor McDavid in particular was on for nearly all of the 3-3 extras). 

The Canadians tried to "play the hero" going 1v1 or 1v2 trying to win the goal all by themselves in glorious fashion. However, when playing overtime 3v3... that style of play is VERY risky. It is much easier for the other team to get the puck back, do a few quick passes, and suddenly be back attacking with a 2v1 advantage. 

And that is exactly what happened: 

• McDavid carved around the U.S. players, but lost the puck...
• Werenski quickly passed it to Jack Hughs and raced around the ice...
• Jack Hughs pulled a nifty "poke pass" to get the puck around Makar...
• Zach Werenski was able to beat MacKinnon to the loose puck, and spun around looking for a pass...
• Connor McDavid was tired and overplayed, and was unable to get back in time and help out on defense...
• Makar was forced to defend Dylan Larkin
• Jack Hughs was wide open, and then...

The bench erupted in celebration. Jack Hughs was photographed with a $100 smile (with missing teeth) and draped in the US flag. Johnny Gaudreau's children were invited down for the team photo.

Afterwards, journalists and experts claimed it was easily one of the top 5 hockey games ever played. Rock solid fundamentals. Insanely fast. Wide-open opportunities missed. A true battle, with a picture perfect ending for US hockey.

And despite how organic and one-of-a-kind this sports story was...

Just like TTRPGs, amazing stories happen all the time in sports.

Here are some of the BEST in just the past 10 years: 

• 2016 Cubs: 108 years. Four generations. 20 presidential terms. That is how long the "lovable losers" Chicago Cubs had to wait for another World Series. It was the longest drought in sports. They won in an 8-7 thriller, widely considered one of the best Game 7 elimination games EVER.
• 2017 Patriots: Tom Brandy overcomes a league record 25-point deficit in only 1.5 quarters to beat the Falcons 34-28 and win his fifth Superbowl... ALSO setting the record for most Superbowl wins by a single QB.
• 2019 Masters: Tiger Wood... once the greatest golfer ever... had been plagued by scandal and injuries. It had been 11 years since he won a major. At the 2019 Masters, he made an insane comeback on the back 9, with 3 birdies to win to thunderous applause. 
• 2026 WBC: After their oppressive dictator is "abducted/deposed/arrested," Venezuela pulls a major upset, beating both Japan and the U.S.A. in the world baseball classic.

The list goes on and on and on. And these are only A) recent and B) pro sports. There are just as many in personal, local, and amateur sports everywhere. Even bad games have a story that explains what happened.

So... yeah... if you think "sports don't tell stories"... I'm not sure what to tell you. You're just ignorant! I agree, they aren't really authors, but they result in stories nonetheless.

© Critical Roll

Counter Point B: TTRPG is Different than Dimension 20 and Critical Roll

This is going to be quick, partially because it is a whole other blog post (coming soon).

But basically, I believe that when TTRPGers gather together to play and actual play campaign... something they will publish as entertainment for others... I content that they are not REALLY playing a TTRPG.

They are primarily performing... not playing.

They are using the TTRPG format to produce a show.

• The GMs design the adventure differently.
• The players approach the game differently.
• And sometimes radically different rules are used (Daggerheart) that make the game feel more like a story.
• And in this case, yes, everyone is playing a TTRPG in order to tell a story.

And while we can learn lots of great TTRPG lessons from actual play campaigns... and they may give us great ideas... they are not a good example of what playing a TTRPG is really like. Like Taco Bell, they are a VERSION of Mexican food, but they are not TRUE Mexican food (I will elaborate in a future post).

Counter Point C: Tabletop Role Playing GAME

As I defined in part 2 of this series, TTRPGs are called "tabletop role-playing games" for a reason. And that reason is that they are GAMES. And games are meant to be played. Not manipulated. Not organized. Not performed. They are played.

Now, you may notice, in both sports and TTRPGs, the players are AWARE that they MIGHT be in the middle of a heroic, amazing story. The USA hockey team knew they were the underdogs seeking to make history. They knew the joy that awaited them on the other side should they emerge victorious. And TTRPGers are the same. Players are hyper-aware that, through their characters, they are experiencing a story.

This knowledge does impact the players. It might make them more emotional. It might make them jittery and make a mistake. It might impact their decision-making. But while they may be trying to manipulate the story, it doesn't change the fact that they are first and foremost PLAYING A GAME.

That is all for now. More thoughts on actual plays and the impact of video games to come...

Riley Rath

Riley is a freelance tabletop games copywriter, content writer, and marketer based out of Spokane, WA. When not playing or writing about board games or DnD, he is busy with family, hiking, cooking, and gardening... very hobbit-like for a 6'4'' dude.