Just to provide a counterpoint here - anyone can play hockey, it's not a requirement to be in the sort of physical shape that elite athletes maintain in order to step on the ice.

Lots of people watch sports simply for entertainment, and that's OK. Maybe someone enjoys the strategic aspect of it, or they follow their hometown team, or a team that has an interesting or good build. I find it fun to have a beer and watch a game. I don't personally want to endure the hardships of training, damage from playing and emotions bundled up in a competitive game to pursue it very far. But I'm glad to be a spectator to this sport being played at a high level.