You Got That Right: A Fan’s Journal

Dear Journal,

Today I embark on a new endeavor, to check in with my thoughts and feelings over the course of a sports year as a Philadelphia fan.  We shall see how long my slacker-self can maintain this, but hopefully, at the least, a few times a week to see where the head is at. Maybe, just maybe, some of you will be in a similar headspace.  I’m calling it You Got That Right because Philadelphia peeps seem use the term more than most I’ve met, particular Papa Violations!

Yesterday was both exciting and depressing.  Once the flurries started to pick up, a little before noon, I knew the football game would look amazing on television.  There is something about football, actually any sport or game, being played in the snow that intensifies the fun factor.  Even Mom Violations exclaimed, “How about that game yesterday. That was so exciting!” on my Monday phone call with her.

The game was exciting, no doubt.  I also found it slightly depressing as I wanted to be outside playing tackle football.  I played football, baseball, basketball and soccer as a kid, and there is nothing like playing tackle football in the snow–the diving, the sliding, being soaking wet in the cold, but sweating.  At this point in my life, the joints can’t handle it. Even if they could, I don’t have a group of friends to just knock on some doors and get a game going.

I like Nick Foles.  I don’t know if he’s the next Tom Brady, but I like his energy and demeanor.  I also feel like he’s one of those guys where the ball bounces in his favor more often than not.  We haven’t had that in town for a while with the Eagles.

I don’t think there could’ve been a better time for his first interception.  The constant talk of the zero interceptions and possible record is over.  The conditions were atrocious for throwing the ball, so the critics can’t kill him for the interception.  I’m glad that’s behind him.

Five in a row.  Eagles got the Packers without Aaron Rodgers. Maybe luck continues to go the Eagles way and the Cowboys face Rodgers.

Vinny Lecavalier is out 3-4 weeks.  Flyers are 2-5 without him.  A playoff spot, in the league where the joke was that everyone makes the playoffs, just isn’t gonna come easy this year!

Doc retired today. Class act. So happy that we don’t have to see him linger on for a couple of years to cash a few extra paychecks.  Doc walks away from the game as the classy hero we all knew him to be.

I’m not depressed about growing older any longer.  If Doc can walk away from baseball accepting the fact that he isn’t the player he used to be, then I can assuredly walk away from tackle football in the snow and leave it to the younger generation.

Music for Today’s post: