February 1, 2006
Frontrunner

Frontrunners.  Just a little over a week ago, climbing out of Denver toward Junction with the Bronco’s in the cold, cold ground, it occurred the timing was right to buy stock in a sports paraphernalia company.  With the Steelers and the Seahawks, two teams with no recent history of “Super” success, playing Sunday in Detroit, all the Johnnies come lately jumping on the Pittsburgh and Seattle bandwagons were going to need merchandise in their new favorite colors. 

Less than 24 hours after the Bronco season ended, two Pittsburgh fans were encountered on Denver’s 16^th Street Mall.  “Play well in Detroit” I offered.  “Go Steelers!” yelled one.  “Ben rules” bellowed his buddy.  “He’s a good one” I replied.  “Who was your QB before Roethlisberger?”  (Either Tommy Maddox or Kordell Stewart were acceptable responses)  The two Steelers fans stared at one another. I couldn’t resist, “Those hats you’re wearing looked brand new.”  There was a bunch of trash talk about dumping the donkeys but sheer volume couldn’t hide the truth.  They’d been “outed” as frontrunners. 

Not to pick on just Steeler fans.  Grand Junction, or anywhere else outside the Pacific Northwest, is not a Seahawk hotbed.  Yet a day hasn’t gone by of late where Seattle football apparel wasn’t spotted in public.  It’s a reasonable guess if the wearer were questioned where their supposed long time favorite football team played home games they’d find it near impossible to pinpoint Seattle’s location on a blank map of the USA. 

What satisfaction comes from jumping on a bandwagon once the outcome is known?  When Troy Aikman was winning Super Bowls, Dallas Cowboy hats were everywhere.  It was the same with 49er merchandise when Joe Montana ruled the NFL.  Who could forget the Brett and the Pack being the frontrunners favorite as green and gold populated the landscape?  All of a sudden, the world is now colored black and gold or teal. 

Impossible as it is to say something nice about the Raiders, give the devil, aka their fans, credit for continuing to wear pirate black even though their football favorites of late have played at a level best described as being somewhere between atrocious and pathetic.  Without a doubt the most delicious sports statistic of the decade is the Bronco’s winning more games this year than the Raiders have in the past three.  Yet misguided as Raider fans may be, their loyalty can’t be questioned. 

Nothing is more aggravating to a Cub fan than Wrigleyville yuppie pond scum continually jumping on and off the North side bandwagon depending upon whether or not the blue hats are atop the NL Central standings.  Even more aggravating was seeing interviews on television during the World Series with folks claiming, “Well, normally I root for the Cubs but I’d like to see the White Sox win the series.”  No you wouldn’t, not if you’re a real Cub fan.  I have friends who used to go to games at the old Comiskey Park and cheer for the Sox opponents while wearing their Cub hats.  And White Sox fans don’t want the North Siders sharing in their joy, not after badmouthing the Pale Hose for decades.