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Confession of the Falcon
First off, I want to explain what my fan-dom is facked up. I was brought up by a front-runner. My step-dad, who I've known since I was five, was the only real link I had to professional sports. I did not show any interest in any sports other than baseball and hockey until I was around 14 years old. So while growing up, the sports franchises I was raised on included those of interest to my step-father.
Let me put into perspective what type of "fan" is my step-dad. To note, he was born and raised just outside Philadelphia, and has lived nearby his entire life. From the time I met him until about 2003 he was a fan of the Atlanta Braves (14 consecutive division titles). He is now a fan of the Phillies (who he never liked before, but now claims to be a fan), who are good now... go figure. He is also a Dallas Cowboys fan. He claimed to be an Eagles fan the year they went to the Super Bowl. Last season he was a Giants fan (even though he "is still a Cowboys fan and always will be"). He was also a fan, years ago of the Detroit Red Wings but now (since Sidney) is a Pittsburgh Penguins fan. But then again, he "will always be a Flyers fan." See what I have to deal with day to day?
Now because I did not really get into football until about the time I was in high-school, I was not really pushed to be a fan of "his" team (thank god). That is why my loyalty is strongly where it should be; with the Philadelphia Eagles. They are one of the only two teams (outside of Team USA) that I truly care about no-matter-what. The other being the Flyers (my step-dad sometimes is/was once/always kinda will be a Flyers fan, so I was (in a way) properly raised there). I don't really have a basketball team that I like more than another. I root for different teams, and would probably choose the 76ers (home-town team) over any other team, but I am not a fan of any basketball team.
But when it comes to baseball, I my fan-dom is facked up. I admit it, and I can not change the way I feel (would if I could). I was raised as an Atlanta Braves fan until I was 11 years old. So to that point, I was taught to hate the Mets, Expos, Marlins, and Mets. I didn't know much about any of the other teams than the Phillies (because I grew up, and still live right across the Delaware River from Philly). So I hate them with a passion (cannot change years of really hatred for no reason other than "I just hate them"). When I started learning more (through friends and coaches) I realized that "there are 29 other baseball teams."
After a trip to the great city of Boston in 2001, I decided then and there, I was going to ditch my step-dad's views on sports, and create my own. Hence, I became a Red Sox fan (quickly thinking I made a mistake after learning about "the curse," but I stuck with them regardless). But, over the past few months, I have realized that my heart just isn't in it as much as it was when the Sox were losers and the under-dogs. I have thought about this for a while and this is what I've determined:
"I, Andrew Neely, am not in-fact a true Red Sox fan. Nor, am I a fan of any other major league baseball team. Baseball is my favorite sport; personally, I believe nothing else even comes close. But, I am not a fan of a team, I am a fan of the league. So I am here admitting that for the past few years I have been lying to myself, and now am admitting that I must be a fraud. Take your shots as you see fit, I deserve the worst and will take it straight up."
I also want to point out that this frees me up from a commitment to any team. That is what I am calling my faith now, a commitment. I can be committed to a team, but I will have to re-earn my right to call myself a fan of any team (other than the Eagles and Flyers, whom I still adore). So my 2008 season "commitment" is up for grabs. Right now one team is looking good, but I am not sure yet.
So, take your shots, I deserve it. Remember though that I am man enough to admit to all this.
| This user is a Colorado Rockies fan. |
