So today, in many locations around the state of Maryland, citizens celebrated "Purple Friday," a celebration of the Baltimore Ravens in an attempt to get fans psyched up for thier upcoming playoff game against the Indianapolis Colts. Now, before I go any further, I must say that I like the concept of a "Purple Friday." I like fans being able to express themselves and their team spirit especially before a game as important as this one. I'm sure similar rituals took place in Indiana, Dallas, Minnesota, Louisiana, Arizona, San Diego, and New Jersey (New York?). All of these locations have teams still alive in the NFL Playoffs. How did I celebrate "Purple Friday" you ask? I wore a burgundy shirt and gold tie. Yes, the Redskins eliminated themselves from playoff contention months ago. Wait a second, why aren't you supporting the "home team," Nick? You have lived in Maryland for just about your whole life. Why aren't you supporting the Ravens? The answer is simple. I am a fan of the Washington Redskins, not the Baltimore Ravens.
First, let me explain my general rule of attendance at sporting events. Root for the home team unless they are playing my team. I feel like if I am attending a game between two teams I really don't have much interest in, it would be pretty crass to just sit there and not be involved. It's good to see the home team win. Besides, the home team winning usually means the fans will be happy at the end. Happy fans are generally well-behaved fans. Of course if one of my teams are involved (Redskins, Maryland Terps, and/or Caps), the rules do change. I have never been to a Redskins or Caps away game, but I have been to several Maryland Terps roadies, and I will happily say that I supported the Orioles when I visited Fenway Park this past year. Check out my tickets collection album for various events that I have attended (both home and away). Loyalty to my team is very important to me.
This rule of sporting events does not translate (for me anyway) into other arenas, which leads us to the topic at hand. I am often questioned along similar lines to the interrogatives presented in the first paragraph. I do not believe in supporting a second team in the same league, and usually frown upon those who do, including Redskins fans who claim a secondary allegiance. I have a theory as to why fans of teams (especially lousy ones like the Skins have been lately) want to have a second team. People at so many levels want to be winners, whether it's at football, Monopoly, Chess, or even Ro-Sham-Bo (that's Rock-Paper-Scissors). Therefore, the odds of being a winner increase if you support (or play for) more than one team. So why don't I jump on this bandwagon of winning and support the Ravens? They are clearly better than the Redskins, they're from my state, and it seems like everybody else is doing joining the party as well. I feel like if I support two teams, the thrill of winning is diluted to an extent. Winning feels really good, but it feels even better if the odds of losing are just as great and my team overcame those odds anyway. This leads to an inherent conflict. What would fans rather have: bigger thrill of winning at the risk of a higher agony of defeat; or not as much of a thrill of winning with the payoff of knowing that losing will not hurt so much either. I for one would take the former in a heartbeat.
When the Redskins win, it feels really good (I mean...really good...especially when I only got to experience that feeling 4 times in 2009). When it comes to season success, well, none of my teams have had a whole lot lately. So do I concede that my team will stink forever and jump on the bandwagon of somebody else? NO! When the Redskins win the Super Bowl again (and it is not a question of if...but when), it will rank 3rd on my list of greatest things that will ever happen in my life (1 and 2 are for future commentaries). Needless to say, it will make 18 years (and counting) of futility seem all the more worth it.
I do not look badly on any of the teams left in the playoffs (well...maybe the Cowboys, but at least it's not the Philadelphia Eagles :-)). And I sincerely hope for an enjoyable game between the Ravens and the Colts, as well as for the 3 other Divisional Round games. I have friends who are solidly entrenched on both sides of that one, so I will not pick a side or favor a side. I will say the same thing I always say whenever somebody asks me if I'm rooting for the Ravens: HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!
First, let me explain my general rule of attendance at sporting events. Root for the home team unless they are playing my team. I feel like if I am attending a game between two teams I really don't have much interest in, it would be pretty crass to just sit there and not be involved. It's good to see the home team win. Besides, the home team winning usually means the fans will be happy at the end. Happy fans are generally well-behaved fans. Of course if one of my teams are involved (Redskins, Maryland Terps, and/or Caps), the rules do change. I have never been to a Redskins or Caps away game, but I have been to several Maryland Terps roadies, and I will happily say that I supported the Orioles when I visited Fenway Park this past year. Check out my tickets collection album for various events that I have attended (both home and away). Loyalty to my team is very important to me.
This rule of sporting events does not translate (for me anyway) into other arenas, which leads us to the topic at hand. I am often questioned along similar lines to the interrogatives presented in the first paragraph. I do not believe in supporting a second team in the same league, and usually frown upon those who do, including Redskins fans who claim a secondary allegiance. I have a theory as to why fans of teams (especially lousy ones like the Skins have been lately) want to have a second team. People at so many levels want to be winners, whether it's at football, Monopoly, Chess, or even Ro-Sham-Bo (that's Rock-Paper-Scissors). Therefore, the odds of being a winner increase if you support (or play for) more than one team. So why don't I jump on this bandwagon of winning and support the Ravens? They are clearly better than the Redskins, they're from my state, and it seems like everybody else is doing joining the party as well. I feel like if I support two teams, the thrill of winning is diluted to an extent. Winning feels really good, but it feels even better if the odds of losing are just as great and my team overcame those odds anyway. This leads to an inherent conflict. What would fans rather have: bigger thrill of winning at the risk of a higher agony of defeat; or not as much of a thrill of winning with the payoff of knowing that losing will not hurt so much either. I for one would take the former in a heartbeat.
When the Redskins win, it feels really good (I mean...really good...especially when I only got to experience that feeling 4 times in 2009). When it comes to season success, well, none of my teams have had a whole lot lately. So do I concede that my team will stink forever and jump on the bandwagon of somebody else? NO! When the Redskins win the Super Bowl again (and it is not a question of if...but when), it will rank 3rd on my list of greatest things that will ever happen in my life (1 and 2 are for future commentaries). Needless to say, it will make 18 years (and counting) of futility seem all the more worth it.
I do not look badly on any of the teams left in the playoffs (well...maybe the Cowboys, but at least it's not the Philadelphia Eagles :-)). And I sincerely hope for an enjoyable game between the Ravens and the Colts, as well as for the 3 other Divisional Round games. I have friends who are solidly entrenched on both sides of that one, so I will not pick a side or favor a side. I will say the same thing I always say whenever somebody asks me if I'm rooting for the Ravens: HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!
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