Are fans more loyal than sports stars?

Boston is a picture of gloom and shock over the last couple of days.
The reason: Johnny Damon has signed for the Yankees- 52 million for 4 years.
The shock not just because he left but because he went to the most hated team in Boston- the Yankees. This is one of the most fierce rivalries in sports and Damon switched- for money of course! He was here for four years and had pretty much become the poster boy for the Red Sox team- his carefree attitude endeared him to everyone and also epitomised the attitude of the team in general- competitive yet likeable. When I watched a few games in Fenway, I remember fans comparing him to a Messiah and his bearded look and affable manner helped him become one of the most loved sportspersons in New England!

Isnt it strking that while fans stay true to their loyalties, sportsmen switch, and quite easily. Fans root for them and stay with clubs forever. When Red Sox won the World Series last year, generations of fans lined up to celebrate, fans who had waited an entire generation to see this come true. Sportspersons have a shelf life and they want to make the most of it- monetarily and otherwise. Switching loyalties isnt such a big deal with them.

But the fan feels cheated. At least I do. Unless I become more detached.
But then, if I become more detached, am I am fan at all?
Are fans more loyal than sportsmen?
Moot question.