As is true so many times, I turn on the TV to find something to watch. I have become frustrated with thousands of channels and nothing of quality. Much to my husband's chagrin, I have started DVR'ing sports stories. A Football Life and ESPN 30 for 30 are my most favorite. Over the course of the last 9 months or so, I've watched the real stories behind the Baltimore Colts becoming the Indianapolis Colts, I've watched Jimmie Johnson, Reggie White, Walter Payton, etc. As a result, I have happened upon these stories and how they have a bearing on my team.
Let me first mention that as a Jaguar fan, we are all seeking respect. Respect that
commentators say comes with winning. Respect that has eluded us for quite a few seasons now. They keep telling us we have to win to get respect. Jaguar fans need to know, we may never get respect. And truly that's OK. Winning or not. It sounds as if I am a Debbie Downer. I really don't want it to be this way. I would LOVE to think winning will solve everything. But if you watch what I have watched, maybe you'll understand what I'm talking about.
My most favorite ESPN 30 for 30 is The Band That Wouldn't Die, The Baltimore Colts Band. It makes me cry every time I see it. A dedicated citizen (if you will)club of band players left behind like last weeks trash watching Mayflower moving trucks take there lives away to Indianapolis in 1984. (Reminiscent of all the people that keep saying the Jaguars are going to L.A.) Several things about this story I didn't know: 1. Bill Irsay landed his helicopter in the then Gator Bowl in 1979 with a completely full stadium. IN JACKSONVILLE. Yes. It's called Colts Fever. I was a youngster then, so I wouldn't remember. However, I have done some checking on my own. As strange as it sounds, it's true and it ignited a fire in the citizens of Jacksonville that wouldn't be satisfied until they had there own NFL team. 2. Later on in the film, as if Irsay flying his helicopter into our stadium and Baltimore losing the Colts to Indianapolis wasn't bad enough, Jacksonville wins the bid for expansion in 1993. In the film, the Baltimore fans actually say they were upset because Jacksonville got it and they didn't. It was implied that Jacksonville didn't deserve it as much as Baltimore did because they had their team taken away through no fault of their own. I get it. I really do. But do not blame Jacksonville. Do not delude yourself into thinking that because we've never had a storied franchise that we don't deserve to have a franchise at all. WE have wanted this since I can remember. Do not get me wrong. I sincerely admire and respect that band going on without a team. That's dedication and fan hood not many cities can duplicate. But we deserved and still deserve a chance.
When I sit down to watch these shows, usually by happenstance, I never realize what I am about to watch will actually be relevant to my football story. That being said, I sit down to watch my DVR'd version of A Football Life: Walter Payton. WP was a fantastic ball player. There is no doubt. Towards the end of the show, they start talking about his decline after he retired. A contributing factor is the situation in which he was to become part owner of the St. Louis expansion team in 1993. However, they did not win an expansion team. Jacksonville did. It did not say it was the fault of the city of Jacksonville but the tone and demeanor of the narrator was not complimentary in regards to Jacksonville winning an expansion. WP would have been the first minority and former player to be part owner in an NFL team. After this event in 1993, friends and family say WP went on a downhill slide physically, emotionally and socially.
You know, maybe it's just me wearing my heart on my sleeve, fiercely defending my team on a daily basis. These two stories hinting at Jacksonville winning an expansion team on purpose so that WP and Baltimore couldn't get a team is preposterous. How can you say Jacksonville didn't deserve a chance? How dare you? Are you saying we should've "taken one for the team" so Baltimore and WP could have their way and Jacksonville should wait for a "better" time? Maybe it's trying to justify respect or lack thereof. I'm really not sure. All I know is that Baltimore has 2 Super Bowl rings and the Jaguars have none. Walter Payton is in the Hall of Fame. Not one Jaguar has made it there yet, save Mike Thomas' jersey and gloves from the Hail Mary throw from David Garrard (those were the days). So if you look down on my Jaguars because you didn't win an expansion or monumental ownership, I just don't know what to tell you.
Jaguar Fans, we came into the league with a negative in the respect column. We had a few great seasons with Tom Coughlin and became inadvertently spoiled by the quick success. Consequently when things did not go as well, the result was tarps and black outs= more negative in the respect column. More losing seasons= more negative in the respect column. Don't expect respect any time soon. We need many winning seasons, positive publicity (feel good stories, etc.), FANTASTIC drafts and coups of the free agent kind to start to make headway. In the meantime, head up, shoulders up, Jag gear everywhere and especially on planes and out of town. All we can do is R-E-S-P-E-C-T ourselves. The rest will follow, eventually, hopefully sometime in the future.
MDK In The House
We MUST Protect This House
