A Sports Fan’s Lifetime Resolution

This is for all you true sports fans out there. I have had enough with all these front-runners. You know… the people who jump on the next best thing harder than Kim Kardashian –well, she actually downgraded last time. Anyways, I am tired of seeing people somewhat come out of the woodwork with their so called “love” for teams that are winning as of late.

As a fan, this is so frustrating. I have kept faith in my favorite team of all time, the San Francisco 49ers. Through thick and thin, they are my team, and they always will be. It has been almost ten years since they have made the playoffs. I have grown up to think that I was some kind of a curse. It seemed like with every team I rooted for, and the more I liked them, the worse they would do. That has all started to change this season. They have finally risen from the dead in a stylish fashion. They now sit at 13-3 with a first round playoff bye.

This column is not about my beloved 49ers. This is about the passion I have for my team, and the passion that I want to make contagious. I have a solution – or more like a resolution. People make New Year’s resolutions all the time. Here is one that should last you a lifetime. Pick a team and stick with it!

We need something that shows our true fan hood. So this is what I want you all to do. Gather around with your friends and/or loved ones and pick out all the sports that you pay attention to. Then, write your list of teams that you like in each sport. Whether it is just 1 team, or a team from each conference, or even a combination of 3 or 4 teams, I will leave that for all of you to decide. We can’t keep ditching the losing teams for those who are doing much better. Pick your fate, and do it now. Once you have that list I want you to sign, date, and laminate it. Everyone would sign it to make it more creditable, like the Declaration of Independence. You could even name it the “declaration of my fan hood”. Once this is done, if anyone ever questions your fan hood you can pull it out and make the person look like an idiot.

1^st Rule: Stop hopping on bandwagons

2^nd Rule: STOP hopping on bandwagons

3^rd Rule: You must have a hometown team on your list. For us here in Oregon this means choosing at least one in state college team (if that is part of your list) and the Portland Trail Blazers. They don’t have to be your favorite, but must be on the list.

Exception for this rule: If you or your parents grew up somewhere else. I say parents as well because they can sometimes be very influential to the teams that you root for.

Rule 4 (for Oregon fans) Seattle is NOT our home team. There is nothing wrong with rooting for Seattle’s baseball or football teams. But seriously, you are free to roam in that category since we don’t have a professional baseball or football team here in Oregon.