Thoughts of a Philadelphia Sports Fan

Well, another season of hopes and dreams has been pitched into the garbage can and delivered to the local dump. After a season replete with exciting wins and championship aspirations, the Philadelphia Eagles have again failed to reach the promised land and bring home to their fans the coveted Lombardi trophy. Although the Eagles finally overcame their recent dismal history of performance in the NFC conference championship game, that level of victory proved to be the sum total of joy for Philly fans in the 2004-2005 NFL season.

Do I hurt? Do I mourn? Am I in pain? Perhaps I should be, as I have labored in the muck and mire of disappointed fandom for the past 15 years (basically since the time I became cognative of the Eagles' existence). Perhaps my soul should be rent in two at the thought of my team having come so close and yet remaining as far from Victor status as they have been since 1960. Possibly I should comiserate with my fellow Philadelphia faithful and bemoan the vast wasteland that is Philly sports. But I do not, nor will I.

Having suffered the misery of defeat when victory was promised so many times before, I have hardened my heart against being impacted by a loss such as the loss tonight. Philadelphia sports teams, you cannot hurt me again until you have won a championship, because until that time I will not yield myself fully to the joys and agonies of living and dying with the hometown team. For too long I did just that, allowing my emotions to be scraped raw by perpetual failure. No more. Although I may not fully enjoy the victory that I believe will one day come to a Philly sports team, I choose to trade that complete enjoyment for the the seared heart of a fan who refuses to be let down again. Where there is no expectation, there can be no disappointment.

Certainly I am sorry that the Birds lost the game tonight. It would have been wonderful to associate myself with a champion, particually after living my entire life without that privilege in any of the major sports that I follow. However, I will awake tomorrow without a pit in my stomach and nary a pang in my heart, and I am glad. If reserving a portion of my soul, at least the soul of the fan inside me, allows me to carry on in the midst of my team's absolute failure, than I am satisfied.

Some day I will once again know the full joy of a fan who has placed everything on the line and has been rewarded for his faith. Some day I will remember what it is like to soar in the air and ride upon the wings of my team's victory. That day, however, will not come to pass until after I have seen a Philly sports team in the final winner's circle of their respective sport. Then, and only then, will I believe and follow and hope for the joy that is the rightful reward of the sold out fan.

I have been that fan in the past. Today I am not that fan. Some day I will be that fan again.

But first, give me a winner.