January 7, 2004
Welcome Back Joe
DC is an interesting sports town. The state of our sports has been awful for a number of years:
We don't have baseball (fuck the Orioles). The Caps and Bullets (Wizards--who the hell cares) have been miserable for years. DC United was great for three years till they broke up the team (and who really watches pro soccer other than high school soccer players and folks from soccer-playing nations--and me). I think we had women's soccer here for a while... Come to think of it, do we still have women's basketball?
But there's something special about our pro football team, the Redskins. Sure, they've got an insulting name, the owner with the Napoleon complex has thrown millions at the team with zero results, they charge the fans exorbitant fees for everything, and they discard coaches like Bush discards allies-- but DC holds an interesting loyalty to the 'Skins.
If, on a given Sunday night, the Redskins beat the Dallas Cowboys and the city of Los Angeles was destroyed by a nuclear blast, the local news outlets would have a tough time deciding which story to lead with on Monday morning.
Skins fans have a bizarre optimism when it comes to their team. Third round draft pick back-up QB throws three TDs against a 1-7 team with no secondary? He's the future of the franchise, the next Montana. Mid way through the season at 2-6? We can win out finish 10-6 and win the division. Finish the season 6-10? Most of the losses were close games, we'll win the division next year. Unproven college coach coming to the team at a ridiculously high salary? He's the next freakin Lombardi.
But for all of the disappointments over the past dozen years Redskins fans have kept one hope close to their hearts: that this might happen.
Posted by cs at January 7, 2004 1:38 PM
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Comments
I didn't click on the link - I'm assuming it's an article about how every player on every other NFL and NCAA team somehow got injured at the same time last night, leaving the 'Skins to play in the Superbowl against the Riverdale High Tigers?
Posted by: Randolph at January 7, 2004 1:54 PM
You're a funy guy Randolph.
Posted by: chris at January 7, 2004 2:21 PM
Yes, yes I am.
Posted by: Randolph at January 7, 2004 2:33 PM
One mustn't forget that other, perhaps less widespread (but certainly more far-fetched) hope that the Capitals might someday make it past the first round of the playoffs (where they have lost pretty much every year I can remember).
Posted by: Michael at January 7, 2004 3:00 PM