Why are YOU a Redskins fan?

[SFREDSKIN]

Originally Posted by tc2deuce

It was the 1982 season and my dad had on the Redskins vs Cowboys game.(I was 3yrs old) I told him I was going for the red team.........30 years later here I am!
SIDE STORY-1988 season, my mom surprises me with the Super Bowl champion Wheaties box with the cereal inside.She tells me not to take out the Wheaties and hold on to it. I was soo proud of that box I displayed it in my window. Needless to say it got a little sun damage but it still was my prized possession. One year later I meet Doug Williams and got him to sign it. While he is signing it he says, " You still have the cereal inside!?....make sure you keep it out the sun from now on." 22 years later it still sits in my Skins Shrine and it still has the original Wheaties in the box!
HAIL!!!

I also have my unopened box of Wheaties with the team picture on it.

[CultBrennan59]

My dad worked for them in the late 90's. I wasn't a fan or them nor did I not like them, I was just like "Eh ok, Redskins whatever." I had always been a huge Raiders fan. They were that bad ass team with the silver and black. I loved them when they had Jerry Rice and Tim Brown. Then they lost the Super Bowl, and ever since then had started going down hill, I realized I needed a new team, especially since I had nothing to do with them other than I liked them. I was like, "Well my dad enjoyed working for the Skins, and they used to be a great team. Plus everyone around me was rooting for this team that was always supposed to be super bowl bound, according to those people. I'm from the DC metropolitan area, thus it was my home town team. I just liked the Redskins. Then I was watching some Jet games and saw this Santana Moss guy return punts and get huge catches. I was a big fan of him. I remember watching the Skins in '04, and thinking "Well this Joe Gibbs guy is a great coach being a HOFer and winner with 3 different QB's, so he is a huge addition to this team, and this defense is very very good. If only this offense had a stable QB, and a deep threat receiver, they'd be great." Then I heard the skins got Moss and I almost sh!t myself. I was thinking, we're going to the super bowl, we have the OLine, we have the defense, we have the RB, and now we have the deep threat at WR. Ever since then I haven't missed a skins game, and watch them every day religiously. I had always grown up not liking the cowboys, for the most part because of the teams obnoxious looking star on their helmet, but also the overly-obnoxious fans in the area that like them for no reason at all.

[Counter-Tre]

My old man was studying law in D.C and got a summer job working for a politician who got a lot of free tickets but hated sports. As a result, my pop went to a lot of Redskins games for free in the Sonny Jergensen era. He became a fan and passed it on to me which is why a guy that was born and raised in Connecticut bleeds burgundy and gold. The end.

[skins89moss]

Originally Posted by SFREDSKIN

I grew up in Rockville rooting for the Redskins, have been a LOYAL Redskins fan since 1971, I might have missed a total of 3 games since then, even though I've lived in the SF Bay area since 1982. I watch every minute of every game win or lose, I will love this team till death. I've been through the good times, bad times, good times and bad times again. I have faith that we will see good times soon and look forwards to those days. I appreciate what Jack Kent Cooke, Joe Gibbs and Bobby Beathard gave us in the 80's and early 90's and hold that in memory that we will see those years again which keeps me going.

Hey SFRedskin
We are about the same age and have simular story. I to lived in DC/Maryland area and now live in Southern Ca area near Los Angeles. I remember watching the Skins lose to Miami in the 1972 Super Bowl 14-7 , Dolphins undefeated season.

[skins89moss]

Originally Posted by Alvin Walton

After moving down from New York I grew up in Leesburg Virginia from 2nd grade to 8th grade.
This was back when Sonny Jurgensen was still playing.

My dad used to take us to Redskins park and we would watch the players practice between the cracks in the fence. (not much security back then)

Redskin players were on the Slurpee cups at 7-11, I had stacks of them on my dresser. There were huge color portraits of them in the newspapers on Sundays. I wallpapered my bedroom with them.
Everyone I knew loved the Redskins.
I met a lot of them at open houses and even at church.
They were a big deal.

My dad worked at Dulles for United Airlines and because technology was changing the world his job was transferred to O'hare airport near Chicago.
We moved to suburban Chicago, literally into the Bears den. I hated it and still do. I got beat up and spit on when I wore my Redskins coat to school but I kept wearing it and stuck with the Skins. My dad eventually gravitated to becoming a Bears fan which broke my heart but I didnt waver.

In 1978 I moved out and joined the Coast Guard and after moving around 1/3 of the world for a few years I ended up in west Michigan.
Been here since 1983. I'm still a Redskins fan and always will be and will always remember the glory days of Sonny J and Slurpee cups.
HTTR!

Great story bro

[skins89moss]

Originally Posted by sevier2

Grandfather coached Special Teams with Gibbs 1.0. and Won two Superbowls with him(I've got one of the rings sitting 10 feet away)

The irony of it is when my grandfather left the skins around 96-97 i think? Shanny tried over and OVER to bring him to Denver but he declined. We used to joke about the fact he coulda won two more with Elway and T.Davis.

my grandpa actually coached with different teams too throughout his career but the skins are just the one i picked up. He was the closest and most involved with them (Gibbs is actually his old college buddy and a family friend).

So yeah... family ties. Other than that I can't find a single reason why ha. Its tough.

Is your uncle name Wayne?

[skins89moss]

Alot of Great stories here.
I grew up in the DC/Maryland area and played football as a youth. I played for#11 Boys Club and Oxon Hill Road Runners Pop Warner football in the early 70's. I went to Potomac HS for 3 months and moved to Arizona at the age of 15. My step dad was a Redskins fan and we would watch on Sundays with family members. His 2 brothers were Cowboys fans so it was alot of trash talk during the games. I can remember watching the Redskins 1st Super Bowl against the Dolphins in 1972 which we lost 14-7. Fins undefeated season. We had family friends that had Redskins season tickets and I went to 2 Redskins games at RFK. I saw the Skins play Dallas and KC. The Cowboys game was a thriller I think Sonny came in and for Kilmer and we won in OT. When I moved to Phoenix before DTV I would see the games only if the Redskins were on national tv or on the Monday Night football highlights with Howard Cosel. We had no internet so I would read the newspaper to see the score or stats. I joined the Marine Corp in 1984 and when I was stationed in Alaska I would have to get up at 6am to watch the Redskin game. I have been living in California for 25 years and would go to Sports bars to watch Redskins games until I got DTV NFL ticket in 1996. I have not missed a Redskins regular season or playoff game since 1996. I love my Skins like my own family and when Sean Taylor was murder It was like losing a brother. I will always be a Redskins fan 4 ever win or lose I'm just so loyal . For all you fans who have not been around to see the Redskins win a Super Bowl dont jump ship it will worth it. HTTR

[SCRedskinsFan]

Redskins fan since I was stationed at Ft. Belvoir in the Army in 1966. So I've been through it all -- the worst of times, best of times, and the worst of times again. Interesting reading all the stories of the regulars in this thread.

Came from Germany in 1961 after growing up with soccer, soccer, soccer. Played, refereed, coached the kids through their school years after moving to DC from NY permanently (NoVA) in 1976. But no question, football and my Redskins are No. 1. Lived in NY for nine years and never even came close to rooting for the Giants or the Jets, even in their glory year. Does anyone remember Riggins as a Jet?

Moved to South Carolina (Pawleys Island, 30 min south of Myrtle) 8 years ago and, if that's even possible, became an even more passionate fan down here. Remember, the South was solid Redskins country before the Panther, Falcons, Saints and all those Florida teams. So the older generation remains solid Redskins, stickers and flags on trucks and Skins gear of all kinds.

We do run into Coach Gibbs quite often around town. He owns a place nearby and spends family time at the beach and on the golf course. FIunny story, the bag drop guys at the local courses don't like coach so much...for a tip he presses a small Bible into their hand with a "God Bless" instead of that 5 spot they're expecting.

One more thing: Thanks to the Warpath for helping all of us keep in touch with each other and the Redskins. Great site, good discussion, and a literate membership (well, there are exceptions). I don't post much, but I'm with you every day. Thanks. HTTR

[skinsfaninok]

^ great read on both post Skins89 and sc skins

[53Fan]

Great thread! In middle school I liked the Colts but my dad was a Redskin fan. He took me to a preseason game in Baltimore and I thought it was the greatest thing in the world. They were playing the Redskins and the Redskins won much to my dismay. I started watching Redskins games because of my dad and got to know the whole roster by name. Toward the end of Bert Jones career with the Colts and the beginning of Joe Gibbs career with the Skins I was keeping up with the Redskins as much as the Colts. I was pulling hard for the Skins when George Allen took them to the Super Bowl. When the Colts moved from Baltimore I was sick to my stomach with the whole organization and said f**K it..I'm strictly a Redskin fan. Those were great days when Joe Gibbs was there and I'll stay a Redskin fan till the day I die. HTTR!!!

[SCRedskinsFan]

Redskins fan since I was stationed at Ft. Belvoir in the Army in 1966. So I've been through it all -- the worst of times, best of times, and the worst of times again. Interesting reading all the stories of the regulars in this thread.

Came from Germany in 1961 after growing up with soccer, soccer, soccer. Played, refereed, coached the kids through their school years after moving to DC from NY permanently (NoVA) in 1976. But no question, football and my Redskins are No. 1. Lived in NY for nine years and never even came close to rooting for the Giants or the Jets, even in their glory year. Does anyone remember Riggins as a Jet?

Moved to South Carolina (Pawleys Island, 30 min south of Myrtle) 8 years ago and, if that's even possible, became an even more passionate fan down here. Remember, the South was solid Redskins country before the Panther, Falcons, Saints and all those Florida teams. So the older generation remains solid Redskins, stickers and flags on trucks and Skins gear of all kinds.

We do run into Coach Gibbs quite often around town. He owns a place nearby and spends family time at the beach and on the golf course. FIunny story, the bag drop guys at the local courses don't like coach so much...for a tip he presses a small Bible into their hand with a "God Bless" instead of that 5 spot they're expecting.

One more thing: Thanks to the Warpath for helping all of us keep in touch with each other and the Redskins. Great site, good discussion, and a literate membership (well, there are exceptions). I don't post much, but I'm with you every day. Thanks. HTTR

[skinsfaninok]

Lol @53

Idk man the colts have been crazy good for 13 years now..'just saying

[53Fan]

^ True enough skinsfaninok. Bill Polian and Peyton Manning have been a Godsend to that organization. I think it's our turn now.

[2BIG2BSKINNY]

I have been a Redskins fan since I can remember...mostly due to my older brothers! We lived as children in around the Houston Area. Everyone in that area hated the Cowboys since they had the Texas spotlight! So we would always enjoy the slugfest games between the Skins and the Boys and always cheered for the Skins! I guess my hatred for the Cowgirls has deep roots in my past.

Since as a youth I lived in Miami and have cheered the Skins! I remember doing a 6th grade current events project the day after the super bowl win in super bowl XXII, grabing every news article I could get my hands on... That day everyone in my elementary school would have to hear about the my favorite team.

I since have live in Fairfax county in Northern Virginia. I know now how the pilgrimage to Mecca for Muslims feel as I had arrived in a place with "my kind of people". With radio and tv talking skins all day, I loved it... Unfortunately my wallet did not like the area and sold my home while the price was high to raise my four kids!

I now live in Franklin Tennessee and you will know who I am by the Redskins flag and plenty other reminders that can be seen from my front door.

Every week I believe this is the week we turn it around!
Believe!!!!
I want my kids to know the Skins as a winner as I do!

[skinsguy]

I have been a Redskins fan since about 1980. I think what helped to solidify my fanatic admiration toward the team was the fact that my middle brother was/is a big Dallas Cowboys fan. He used to pick on me back when I was little, so by him liking the Cowboys, it helped to villainize that team with that star on their helmets even further. What put it over the edge for me is when the Redskins beat the Cowboys in the NFC Championship game to head to their first Super Bowl victory. That elevated me from just being a mere fan of the 'skins to being a huge, fan of them. I consider the Redskins a part of the family. I know that sounds weird, but that team is a huge part of my life and a huge part of who I am.

When the Browns moved to Baltimore and became the Ravens, many so called Redskins fans jumped ship to the Ravens. I look at those fans as the ultimate turncoats who betrayed their own family because things were a little too tough for them to take in D.C. I actually have as much hate toward the Ravens as I do the Eagles, Giants, and especially the Cowboys. Having been one of the lucky ones to have witnessed the 80's glory years of the Redskins, I take pride to be willing to accept the frustration, the mocking, and the losing that our franchise has went through in the past few years. I say that because I know that things eventually come full circle. Us long time Redskins fans who have remained loyal to the team regardless of the franchise woes and regardless where we call home, will be rewarded for sticking with them through thick and thin. The newer Redskins fans will hopefully be able to experience what we got to experience in the 80's, and maybe they'll realize why you stick with this team for life.

So, to sum up, I'm a Redskins fan because it's basically in my blood. No matter what, I'll never be as big of a fan of any other professional football team as I am the Redskins. I don't believe I'll ever be a fan of any other team. I don't think I could ever betray the Redskins like that.