Dear Mr. Avant

Dear Mr. Avant,

I can honestly say that you are my favorite player on the current Eagle roster.  I like your quiet work ethic and your dependability.  However, your recent statements regarding the fans are cause for alarm.

Before you tell fans, who may have temporarily fallen out of love with the 2011 Eagles team or became disinterested at 1-4, that they are not welcome on the bandwagon or that you don’t want them back as fans, please remember that, above all else, sports is entertainment.

I would ask that you consider the choices that fans make.  My father chose in the 70’s to be late on mortgage payments so that he could get his season ticket payment in on time for seats at Veterans Stadium, much to my mother’s dismay.  Many fans chose to purchase jerseys, which add revenue to the NFL system from which you receive your salary.  Many fans chose to purchase a Jason Avant jersey.  In Philadelphia, the average household income is $37,045.00/year.  That breaks down to approximately $18.00/hour.  That means that the average Philadelphia fan chooses to work 6.5 hours just to buy one of your jerseys which cost between $100-$120.

We also chose to sit out in the cold weather and support you and sometimes boo should there be a lack of effort.  There was definitely a lack of effort in the first few games as video breakdown by numerous analysts, including ones in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, demonstrated to this fanbase.  We also chose to sit through a relentless barrage of commercials and commercial breaks during the telecasts of NFL games. 

Those choices, which are in favor and support the NFL, can easily go in a different direction.  This is a day in age with many entertainment options.  Philadelphia also isn’t Green Bay, Wisconsin, so the fanbase has options other than the Eagles.  However, we are a passionate sports town.  We are the most dedicated fans in the world.  You work for a franchise that has never provided a Super Bowl Championship, yet the fans dedication is rivaled by few.  Do not take us for granted.  Be careful when wishing fans away because if the fans disappear, the system breaks down as do the million dollar contracts.

If fans became disinterested, that’s their right.  The team, particularly the defense, appeared disinterested.  I also like films as a means of entertainment.  I am also a fan of Jack Nicholson.  Because I didn’t support him in Anger Management, The Pledge or Wolf does that mean that I cannot enjoy or support any of his future films under your logic? 

Please.  This fanbase has been through hell and never reached Nirvana.  Don’t preach to us about when we can and cannot support the Eagles.  Play football.  Play hard.  That’s all we ask.  If you do that, you won’t have to worry about any bandwagons or boos.

Sincerely,

Violations Greg