Since I was three, I’ve been singing the Redskins’ Fight Song. I spent season after season, sitting on the couch, a fire roaring, leaves falling, watching my parents cheer on the likes of John Riggins, Joe Theismann, Joe Gibbs, Darrell Green and other great players/coaches of that time. I will admit – their love of this team passed on to me and my belief in them has never waned.
I don’t care that their last Superbowl win was in 1991. I was bred to be a Redskins fan and always will be. And so, despite their continual losing season streaks, I get incredibly excited when football season is upon us yet again.
This past Saturday, August 21, my mom was gracious enough to give myself and my boyfriend suite tickets to the Redskins’ game. Being that he has never been to a pro-football game, he was given quite the VIP treatment. For me, it was super-exciting – there’s nothing better than watching, live, one of the greatest contact sports of all time. In addition, there’s nothing more exciting than sharing with someone you love, a favorite memory of yours that has been re-lived over again, through the better part of my 20s and early 30s.
Walking into the stadium is incredibly nostalgic – the club level “inhabitants” from all walks of life (especially those that attend pre-season
games), those that can’t handle their liquor, celebrating wins, toasting to losses, taking dance classes with the Redskins’ Cheerleaders, trying out for Redskins’ Cheerleading – all of it contained in this one massive structure, known for causing heartaches in die-hard fans and bringing joy to those who have unwavering hope.
Alas, after the first quarter, things didn’t go as hoped – and we waited two more quarters to realize a victory celebration at 5th Quarter was probably not necessary. Still, sharing in the experience of the game together more than made up for it.
As we drove home, we agreed that the experience was well worth the effort to get there and it only marked the beginning of a season full of hope and potential wins. Now where to get that McNabb jersey I need signed…
