I am loyal.
My friends and family would say that about me, too. I will often stick with a person, place, thing or idea longer than reasonable people might. Some suggest that this indicates a certain amount of stubbornness. Or a fear of change. Or an unrighteous contentment. Or a rut. Or whatever. Kinda dog-like.
Real loyalty is challenging, and it requires forgiveness (LOTS of forgiveness) when people are involved. Because people let you down over and over again.
I am forever a devoted fan of the Detroit Lions.
But the Detroit Lions hurt me. They hurt me deep.
I do not expect every game they play to be a win; I am not unreasonable, after all. But not every game should be a loss. These highly compensated, highly talented men have been playing this game at a high level for most of their careers. But when they get together under the banner of the Detroit Lions, they look like the NFL version of the Washington Generals.
Late in the 4th quarter today, down only two points, Daunte Culpepper left the pocket to buy time and threw the most bone-headed of all possible bone-headed interceptions. I can't even come up with a pithy statement comparing that bad pass to something equally ridiculous, it was so bad. Carolina scored quickly thereafter, and the game was clinched.
And when I say bone-headed, I'm being nice.
There has been a lot of bad quarterbacking in Detroit. According to Wikipedia, there have been 22 different starting quarterbacks for the Lions since 1983. "Joey Sunshine." Ty Detmer's 7-interception game. The over-paid Scott Mitchell. Ah, the memories.
The running joke is that the most popular man in Detroit sports is the Lions' backup quarterback.
Despite all this, I'm still a fan. And I'll probably still purchase the NFL Sunday Ticket to watch these monstrosities they call games.
This town is going to have a winner some day. And when it happens, I'll extend my hand and welcome you to the bandwagon. Come on board... there's LOTS of room.
Let's Go, Lions!