In looking through some of my past writings I stumbled upon this column I wrote years ago. It seems appropriate during this disappointing year for teh Steelers and the NFL playoffs in general. For those who know I’m a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, I’m reproducing it word-for-word to let you know that I am a fan – not a fanatic. It’s just hard to tell the difference when my team is on top. (which they weren’t this year!)

This column originally appeared in the Pensacola News Journal, back in 1999. It was a not-so-glorious period for my glorious Steelers, but as the season winds down, my words from then reflect some of what I get from the NFL and “…the human drama of athletic competition.”

A Fan of the Game

A Commentary by Rick Sherréll

The super Bowl is over and all of the annual hype is slowly receding into memory. As a resident of Atlanta, I’ll admit that I become sort of a Johnny-come-lately, jump-on-the-bandwagon Atlanta Falcon fan.

So swept up in Falcon Fever, I almost danced the “dirty bird” in public on several occasions. But once I saw Falcons coach Dan Reeves exhibit his version on newscasts flashed across the globe, I caught myself in time to save the embarrassment.

For the true die-hard Falcons fans that have stuck with the team through the worst of their 34-year run at the big one I, and people like me, are the scum of the earth. We don’t deserve to call ourselves fans.

FAIR WEATHER FOES

It’s been said that following a team is like going to church. You can’t just go on Christmas and Easter. You have to warm the pew every Sunday to be considered a true believer.

My time in the confession booth will have me admitting that the Falcons only struck a passing fancy with me until this year – except for admiring their stylish black and red uniforms and pretty cool looking team logo.

In years past, I pretty much only rooted for them to beat the 49ers in their twice-a-year meetings, and gave hint that I could be a real fan if they would just start winning.

In the only game I attended in the 1997 season, I rooted for the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who packed as many fans into the Georgia Dome as the home team did. Two things pleased me about the day’s events – the Bucs won the game and I wasn’t the only person in the stadium decked out in Steelers garb.

This season, I again only attended one Falcon game. This time I rooted wildly for the home team and again, two things pleased me about the day’s events: the Falcons defeated the visiting St. Louis Rams and I wasn’t the only person in the stadium decked out in Steelers garb.

Sure, call me a fair weather fan, but the Falcons aren’t the only teams to enjoy my dubious form of “only if you’re winning” support.

This was Super Bowl number 33, and I haven’t missed watching one yet. Throughout the years, “my team” hasn’t always attended the big dance – except for those four winning appearances by the 1970s Steelers (we won’t discuss the one they lost three years ago.)

In my life of NFL fandom, in addition to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Tampa Bay Bucs and lately the Falcons I have rooted for the Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets to name a few.

I have never rooted for the Dallas Cowboys or the Oakland Raiders – both of them arch enemies of my beloved 1970s Steelers.

THE REAL JOY OF FANFARE

I can root for so many different teams because I’m a devout follower of the sport more than any individual team. If my Steelers have a losing season – like this year – so what!

What I really enjoy is the game. And the game is at its best when two well-heeled teams – no matter what teams they are – are battling it out for gridiron supremacy.

When I root for a team, it’s because of the level of excellence and competition they are bringing to a sport I love more than I love any individual or team.

When my least favorite teams, like America’s beloved Dallas Cowboys, are not on their best game, I am disappointed. I miss the rivalries that grow from excellence vs. excellence.

This season neither the Cowboys nor the Steelers brought that to the game. But the Falcons and the Broncos did and I’m along for the ride. When it’s over, I’ll be jumping ship and moving on to the next thrill.

PEACE.

Original © 1999 Rick Sherréll