Mtnman and shreck make some good points, and they echo a couple of mine. As players in this game, we all like competition. So, in as much as we all like to win, we all care about our "score" to varying degrees. For me, the stats are a good yardstick on my performance. I'd like to get better at getting kills while under duress and I'd like to improve my accuracy. Also, I like to look at other's stats to compare to mine or to just see how they are doing.
For a person to say the do not care about their score utterly, is wholly dishonest.
Also, we all enjoy recognition by our peers. I'm not talking about "name in lights" specifically, but other things as well. Let's use Bucky as one example. He's a good stick and likes to fight but doesn't care about seeing his name in lights. I bet, after he put up his fiercest resistance against say, a 3v1 where he got one or two of the bad guys, he'd appreciate on some level if his opponents acknowledged his fine fliyng with a "Good fight" or "WTG". I'm not saying Bucky's night would be ruined if he didn't get it, but it's nice to have one's efforts recognized. This is just human nature.
Speaking for myself, I appreciate a WTG, or <S> in the arena, whether it's for my name in lights, putting up a good fight in defeat, or for just clearing a teammate's 6. It's just as gratifying to help a teammate as it is to get a kill. In fact, if I were known for anything at all, I'd wish it was that I am a good teammate. My enjoyment of the game isn't snuffed if the attaboy's aren't forthcoming, but they are nice. I think everyone who is strong enough to be honest will admit this as well.