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Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Well this lockout doesn't look to be coming to any end anytime soon. I'm not panicking yet considering that opening day doesn't happen for another 100 days, but still it would suck if there is no season. I can sit here and tell you all the things I would miss, but we don't have that time. Instead here are the five things I will miss if the 2011 season does not happen...
Rivalries
Probably the best thing about sports is rivalries. Rivalries against teams, rivalries against players, and even rivalries against fans. I know that is true with my family, all of them are fans of different teams and it is always fun to get in a friendly (or un-friendly) argument about who's team is better. I already have talked about the five best rivalries games which you can see here. One of them I talked about is pictured left, the Bears and the Packers. Even though Jay Cutler is known for his rivalry with Phillip Rivers, I'm sure that after last years NFC Championship Game, Cutler won't give anymore bear hugs to Aaron Rodgers. Football is about conflicts and everybody loves a good conflict.
Despite it being one of the most popular hobbies in America, I did not start fantasy football until last season. My team, the Bay Area Bombers, finished second in my league, the Sledgehammer League. Since it was composed of my family it was fun trash talking over the phone and even face-to-face. One of the best things about fantasy football is that it puts you in control, like a GM, and you are supposed to build a contender that will succeed at least for that year. Another great thing about fantasy football is that you have an oppurtunity to "sign" the best players possible, I got Aaron Rodgers last year. Fantasy Football is probably the second best thing to do that is associated with football, other then going to an actual game. I'm sure many fantasy football fans and me will sorely miss fantasy football if there is no season and if there is a shortened season, there won't be that many points...
Time for a little bias here. I'm a 49ers fan, always have been always will be. I will miss watching them every single week, especially the guy to the left. I will miss the feeling of anticipation as the 49ers get ready for a big game against a division rival like the Rams or Seahawks. I will also miss the great feeling I get when my team wins or the sour feeling I get when my team loses. Sure I'm a little bitter (like most fans) because the owners are preventing the NFL offseason, but I guarantee that whenever this lockout ends, fans will be lining up to get tickets or glued to their TV's watching Monday Night Football. The 49ers have not been good in recent years, we all know that, but I get a sense of satisfaction that I am not a bandwagon fan, that I will stick with my team through thick and thin. It's kinda impossible, however, to stick with your team if they aren't doing anything.
Ah... the great sensation you get smelling some hot dogs and hamburgers fresh of the grill. That is the feeling you get week in and week out at any tailgate party. Even though I only started tailgating last year, it was fun hanging out with family and eating some great food (great tasting, not great for you). Tailgating brings people together and hours before kick off. It is the pre-game for the fans. It is preparation to scream till your lungs bleed and to wave anything you can find with you team on it (not your little brother). If the owners want to rob us of tailgating, then I think its time for a gold statue of fans.
Even though I have been a fan of the NFL my whole life, I just went to my first four game this past season. I went to four Chargers home games which featured the Jaguars, Patriots, Raiders, and 49ers. Even though I am not a fan of San Diego, I do live in So Cal, so its hard to travel to see any other team. If you look at the picture to the left, I set just left of the scoreboard. I know what your saying, "Why would you spend your money on seats like that?" I'll tell you why, 1) it's not my money 2) it's not the same if you sit at home in front of a TV, no matter how big it is. Even though we do see a lot of fan fights before games, during games, and after games the game of football brings people together for better or for worse. That is one of the best things about the game and if the NFL takes that away, then they are just fuc... bad people.
