Don't think a lot of pro football players, or any other sport for that matter, are in it for the fun of the game anymore. Chess is fun, so is playing soccer with your friends, but to get to the professional level you keep going well past the point of fun.
I actually think a lot of pro athletes are in it for "the love of the game" which is why you'll see them un-retire and stuff. I think their "love of the game" may lean more in the direction of "competitiveness" than "fun", but those are kind of two sides of the same coin in sports. There's also all the stuff around being a professional athlete--like the camaraderie and team atmosphere and stuff.
Playing chess is fun and making money off of it is like any other sport tho
Don't think a lot of pro football players, or any other sport for that matter, are in it for the fun of the game anymore. Chess is fun, so is playing soccer with your friends, but to get to the professional level you keep going well past the point of fun.
I actually think a lot of pro athletes are in it for "the love of the game" which is why you'll see them un-retire and stuff. I think their "love of the game" may lean more in the direction of "competitiveness" than "fun", but those are kind of two sides of the same coin in sports. There's also all the stuff around being a professional athlete--like the camaraderie and team atmosphere and stuff.
Tom Brady is a great counter to your statement. Dude has to love the game to keep going for so long, with that much success.