Ya know...
I have always been the type of guy where when I think about sports, it comes down to one thing for me... "Do I play for the team?" That's how I respond to most things. Hence, my reaction during Buckeyes games, I don't play for the team, I have no control over the outcome, I can't change what happens. No matter how much I "want" the chargers to win, it's really not going to change the outcome, what happens on the field will happen, regardless of what I do.
That being said, I think tonights loss to the Patriots was easier for me to handle than last years. Normally, I am not a guy who expects to win, I am the type of guy who "Hopes for a good game." I mean that seriously, I want something that's entertaining and fun to watch, that makes me feel like my dollar for my jersey is spent wisely. Now, I am from Ohio, and I support the Bucks, but that's where my family went to school, that's the school that when I was born the first picture of me shows "Property of Ohio State University Athletic Department" so it's a different story, still though, I try to control my emotions.
Tonight didn't really get to my emotions, maybe it was that bit of control, maybe it wasn't who I am or where I was from, but at the end of the day, I am nothing but proud of my team. Who really thought the Chargers were going to win? Not hoped, but thought? No one.
Who had developed this image of our quarterback that rivaled that of Ryan Leaf? A quitter who hated everyone and the players hated? Everyone.
Now, I can't expect anyone to have a "full 360" change of opinion, but tonight, I saw a kid who's been in the league 4 years, come in, injured and do his job to win. We had hurt players, and still, we put up a fight to win the game. I wasn't expecting to "win it all" this year, I was expecting progress, and in the end, I got what I wanted.
Here's what I am saying to opposing fans, call Rivers the douchebag of the year, in the end, he was in the AFC championship game, and unless your Tonyank who's going to say the Browns would have won it all, you most likely don't have a lot to say. Root for the Chargers or hate them, they are a small market team who's doing things the best way, they are building young and establishing a future. Odds are, we will be back in the playoffs next year and make another run, hopefully we don't have an 17-0 team in our way.
I am happy for the progress, GO BOLTS.
