Growing up as a child of the '70's, and then spending my teenage years in the '80's, we had this thing called Loyalty around. If you did not have it back then you were looked at as odd. Every kid on the block had their favorite team they proudly represented every Sunday down on the corner where we had our weekly game. Football and loyalty went hand in hand. You could not have one without the other.    
 
I started to notice during the '90's that so many people would proclaim that so and so was their team, and then after a bad season, they would have a blank look on their face when caught wearing another team's sweatshirt. Usually the new attire would be accompanied by the logo of whatever team was heading to the Super Bowl.
 
Now in this new millennium you are personally taken apart by people who view your loyalty as a joke. Not only is loyalty passe in just sports, but also in just about every other aspect we deal with in our lives. Just for example, the phrase, "Till death do you part" has became a threat instead of a vow.
 
Why and how did this happen? I really am curious to know the answer to those questions. You know as a Washington Redskin fan I have watched my team dominate the '80's, win a Super Bowl in the '90's, and then fall into all of the seasons that have come since. So for me when the Redskins finally make it back to the Super Bowl, the love and undying loyalty I have for them will make it that much sweeter.
 


So for all of you who have lost your sense of loyalty, or never really had it to begin with, I would suggest that you find a team and put all that you have into them. Come good or bad, hell or high water, be there proudly displaying their colors. So when someone goes to tear you down, you will finally know the sense of loyalty that comes from being a real fan!



                                  



I would like to close this with a quote on Loyalty from the Great Vince Lombardi. . .

"Individual Commitment to a Group Effort - That is What Makes a Team Work, a Civilazation Work."

Some days during the week seem as if they will never end. You know those days. . .The Kids, the Boss, the Husband or Wife. And every time you look at the clock, it is only five minutes later than the last time you looked. When I find myself locked into those sluggish days, I look for the only cure there is out there for me.

 

In my mind I picture a beautiful golden fall Sunday afternoon. The air is crisp, and I can smell leaves burning at some neighbor's house close by. I can hear that distant sounds of a chainsaw. I am dressed in my favorite pair of old jeans, my comfy Redskin's sweatshirt and my Vans. Beside me is my Yellow Lab Sammy. His nose is twitching and his tail is wagging, because he knows this is our time! In the sun his coat shines the two most beautiful colors in the world to me, Burgundy and Gold!

My boys are out back, as they usually are on this type of Sunday. I always tell them, "No Tackle football!" But, somehow touch becomes push, and pushes become shoves, which eventually leads to tackling. If I close my eyes I can hear them laughing and congratulating each other on some new feat they managed to accomplish. My Husband has just finished his weekly call back home to Arkansas, and in the background I can hear Howie getting in a dig  on Terry! As usual someone has something negative to say about the 'Skins, but I just roll my eyes and have the same conversation with my Husband about why the media seems to hate the Redskins? Which always leads to the same conclusion. . .Daniel Snyder. Oh well, what are you going to do?

If my Redskins play at one then I start to get excited. My heart rate increases and I try to keep myself busy until the kickoff. If the game is not until four or later my Husband, who is the cook, will make a big ole pot of Chicken and Dumpling's so that we have it ready to eat during the game. It is a smell I associate with this type Sunday!

When it is time for the game, we all gather around the TV. I see those I love most in this world. They are all gathered together in a celebration that is a tradition that has been passed down for many years, one that I know my children will carry along to my grandchildren. I wish I could think of a word that truly describes this, but the closest I can get is...content. There is nothing like this in the world to me!

I am so lost in this vision when finally I realize I have to come back to the real world. Though nothing can bother me now, as I have found my zen. . . "Football, My Yellow Dog and Sunday Afternoon." 

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

I would love to hear what your Sunday traditions are!

Ang

Another glorious weekend is upon us Sports Fans! Week Three in the NFL and things for some are going to get tougher.  There are a lot of 2-0 teams out there, but that will all change Sunday. We will see who can find that elusive 3-0...

I am going to do something unusual for me...I am going to "Step out of the Pocket" and make my pics for Week Three. But here is what I am NOT going to do, I am NOT going make a pic in the Redskins vs. Giants game. Anyone who read my article about being "Superstitious" will understand why.If not then you can find my reasons there.

So let's get on to the task @ hand...

Pls. note my winning picks will be in red.

Arizona(1/1) at  Baltimore(1/1)-This is actually difficult to call being both teams are 1/1. Yes Baltimore is playing at home, but there are key injuries to McNair and Ogden. So I will be going with Edggerin James and his Cardinals.

Detroit(2/0) at  Philadelphia(0/2)-This one, I am sad to say is not difficult at all to call. I am going to go with the 2/0 Lions over the struggling Eagles.

Buffalo(0/2) at New England(2/0)- I think the Pats proved their point last week, and being this is the 0/2 Bills coming into Gillette Stadium, I am going with the Pats to advance to 3/0 this Sunday.

Indianapolis(2/0) at Houston(2/0)- My friends this is my UPSET pick of the week! I have said I believe Houston is the breakout team of the '07 Season and they have not let me down yet. Houston over Indy folks!

Minnesota(1/1) at Kansas City(0/2)- Believe me when I say that I am a bit shaky about this one, but I am picking KC @ home to redeem themselves in front of their fans!

Miami(0/2) at Jets(0/2)- I am going with Miami to win this over the Jets. True this is one of those "Someone has to win" games, but I think that Miami, having faced two NFC East 2/0 teams will find calmer seas against the Jets.

San Diego(1/1) at Green Bay(2/0)-This was a very easy decision. I mean come on Charger fans you have to know Farve has come back from the dead! I am going with Farve and his Pack to advance to 3/0!

St. Louis(0/2) at Tampa Bay(1/1)-I am going with the home team here. Being TB is coming off of beating the Saints I really think St. Louis will not be able to pull it off.

San Francisco(2/0) at Pittsburgh(2/0)-Both teams are 2/0, but I am giving the advantage to the Steelers due to the "Terrible Towels" giving them the edge at home!

Cincinnati (1/1) at Seattle (1/1)-Listen to me people! Cinci is going to beat Seattle at home even with the "Twelfth Man" screaming loudly! The Bengals Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson are going to make it another long dreary day in Seattle! 

Cleveland(1/1) at Oakland(0/2)- Will  QB Derek Anderson be able to go into Oakland and pull out another win? I really believe that he will! Being that he is still on a high with putting up 51 points last week. The Raiders will not be able to overcome.

Jacksonville (1/1) at Denver(2/0)- Hands down it is Denver. They have won two already so the Jags will not beat the Broncos at home!

Dallas(2/0) at Chicago(2/0)-I don't think the Cowboys are going to be able to pull this off. They have so far played two ineffective Defenses, and though Grossman is no Romo, I think the Bears Defense will put a lid on the Cowboys explosive Offense.

Carolina(1/1) at Atlanta(0/2)- We all know why! So I will just say the Panthers will advance to 2/1! 

MONDAY NIGHT -Tennessee(1/1) at New Orleans(0/2)- I am afraid that the beloved Saints will fall to 0/3 Monday Night. I am going to go with the Titans, unless Vince Young does something stupid again, but even still the Titans will advance to 2/1.

I will just sit back and wait for the boos, which I am sure will follow...

HAIL TO THE REDSKINS!

I was sitting down earlier today talking to my Husband about how every other story in the NFL lately is about something negative. My thoughts seem to have been so clouded from reading headlines and blogs, including my own, about Vick, Pacman, Tank and so on...

As usual I was making my rounds on the NFL page here on Fox, when attached to another story, was a story about little Katy Marchman. Katy is a nine year old little girl who suffers from Angelman syndrome. Angelman effects the nervous system and cause seizures. Katy does not speak very well, but uses drawings to communicate. In this story written solely for her love of the Ravens, I found what my heart had been denied for a long time! I found the pure love and innocence that we all once felt, just simply the love of the game.

Katy has her favorite players, as we all do, but she lives for the Ravens. He joy is so enthusiastic, her whole family share it. The players she loves know her well. They state that she reminds them to be humble, and what a pure pleasure it is to have her at training camp. I know that there are many more fans out there for every team, and that if these players could have some one on one face time, then maybe more humble players will emerge. Please don't get me wrong... I know players have charities that they give to and work with, but in a time where the world moves so quickly it is harder for anyone to stay grounded.

I think that the child in me longs for the time when it was not important for me to read the newspapers, or listen to sports casters tell me everything that is wrong with my team or around the league. When getting ready for the following Sunday, meant casual smack talking with all the neighbor kids, and wearing your favorite jersey until it was faded or ripped. And when that Sunday finally got there, you threw off your blankets, quickly dressed in your teams colors and plopped down in front of the television with your Dad, ready for whatever the game had to throw your way!

So as I said in a comment I left on the article about Katy, I will say again... Thank you Katy! Thank you for reminding ALL of us that this is what the NFL is truly about! The love of a fan for their team! The Ravens are lucky to have such a special sweetheart as their # 1 fan! May they never forget that!!!!!

So Hail to my Redskins!
If you would like to read this inspiring story follow this link
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7125632