Saturday, December 16, 2006

Silver And Black Weekend



There are usually so many things to talk about that I don't mention my football team much on here. It could be that I believe announcing myself a fan of a particular NFL team could be as polarizing as labeling myself a Democrat or Republican. Sadly, there aren't any Libertarian teams out there. I do think that playing fantasy football has made me a bigger fan of the sport, specific players and the game itself rather than just an Oakland Raiders fan. Then again, the only positive thing that can be said about the team this year is that their defense (especially their secondary) has improved immensely as it could most likely outscore their own offense.

My evolution into being a Raider fan is rather odd because I clearly remember a Christmas present of a Minnesota Vikings jacket one year. I did think the purple and orange colors were cool but I didn't care to watch pro football yet. In retrospect, I know that Dad would make wagers on the 49ers every so often but I figured that he was given a 'hot' tip by someone he was teaching tennis to that day. I wouldn't sit down and watch a football game until my last year of high school as my stepfather Bob would scream at this quarterback Jay Schrader every week. I figured that I'd find out why he was so upset, so I sat down to watch a few games with him. It wasn't long until I was upset also. I just wanted to see them win. Watching games with friends/co-workers and fantasy football had me watching every game that I could.

Why do I bring up football now? I'll be sitting in section 115 for their upcoming game against the St. Louis Rams. There was a time that I'd go see one game in Oakland each year. The first game wasn't so great (against the Dolphins where at the end of the game a young child in a Dan Marino jersey taunted some ticked off fans... I was waiting for him to 'accidentally' tumble down the concrete stairs.) The others were all winning events and all of them were extremely fun. This year, I'm heading there with my uncle David (yes, he's my age but leaving it out isn't respectful) who is a Rams fan. We fly out early tomorrow morning, attend the 1pm game and fly back a few hours after the game. I know we'll have a good time no matter who wins. (No, I really don't want the team to get the first pick in the NFL draft but if it happens, it happens.) Here's hoping your teams (football or not) do well this week!

10 comments:

LoraLoo said...

My Cowboys are playing as we speak, but I'm watching Cinderella with Maddy for the first time, sooooo...

I hope you have a fabulous time at the game, and I do hope the Raiders win! Enjoy, and have a safe trip.

thc said...

You're a Raiders fan? And to think that I used to have so much respect for you!

Martin said...

There's that polarization that I mentioned. hahahah

Lily said...

Why is their emblem an impaled severed head? Seems an odd choice.

Unknown said...

My team is my hometeam of the San Diego Chargers, even though I no longer reside there.

Its safe at this point in the season to wish your hapless Raiders a good game..I think :P

Fred said...

Sorry Oakland didn't win, Martin. Then again, neither did my Dolphins or Bucs.

Martin said...

Sadly, yes, the team's offense remains offensive to the nose and eyes. I can say this because I was close enough to smell and see it (the only thing that kept me from stepping on the field itself was the bars in front of my Row 1 seat.) I was able to see several great players walk by and even hear defensive coordinator Rob Ryan curse out his linemen after they gave up their first touchdown. Had a great time overall but was immensely tired after flying back. I'd probably like to sit just a little further back and up so I can see above the players blocking my view of the play.

Lucy Stern said...

Well Martin, I am not into football. I do know that our Houston Texans stink! I don't know why they don't get a new quarterback, he has proven that he can't throw or hold the ball.

Now Baseball! that's another story.

Ken said...

Sorry the Raiders didn't win man. However, Fred, I'm not really sad the Dolphins lost. That's what they get for going to Orchard Park in December (ironically, the way I like it). Who knew the Bills would be this entertaining this late in the year?

BeckEye said...

I'm not holding my breath to see if the Steelers make it to the playoffs this year. It's not statistically impossible, just improbable.