I
will be the first to admit that my blogs sometimes get a little
heavy. Whether it be the recent passing of a beloved family pet or
lamenting the fact that I am currently flying solo, I tend to wear my
heart on my sleeve more than a little bit. And, truth be told, this
week has had a few things that haven’t gone the way that I would
like.....but, I promised light and easy in my last one. Actually, I
said in my last blog I was going to admit to my ten biggest celebrity
crushes. While that sounds good on paper, the truth is that some of
them – more out of boredom than anything else – could actually
wind up seeing that...so I need to go in another direction.....But,
it’s funny how things tend to write themselves.
Last
weekend, I was on the road up in the Blue Ridge Mountains in the city
of Staunton, Virginia. As I do whenever I go somewhere, I tend to be
drawn to the dazzling blue lights of Walmart. Sometimes, you tend to
leave things at home that you need or you just feel compelled to look
around. While most stores are the same, if you go into the men’s
department, there is usually a bit of a regional flavor. Take
Cushing, Oklahoma. Been there. Bought the Oklahoma State and Sooners
shirts. Columbus, Georgia – got the Bulldogs edition. So, while at
Staunton, I went to the clothes rack and for some unknown reason,
they had a great deal of Steelers shirts and hats. So, I bought a
couple. I don’t have any Pittsburgh stuff, so I didn’t think it
was a big deal – until a picture of me with them on hit the
Facebook world. Now, let me say that I have never been asked “What
are you wearing?” But, there was a minor firestorm among my fellow
Cowboys fans. You see, there were these two Super Bowls back in the
1970s.........
Though
I am not planning a Super Bowl party this year, let me make this
clear about my loyalty – I am a Dallas Cowboys fan. Through Super
Bowls. Through 1-15. Through Aikman to Irvin. Through Romo to the
opposition. A few years ago, I did cheer very heavily for Brett Favre
when he played for the Vikings. It was personal. I believe that he
was pushed out the door a little early, and at the time it was an
emotion I totally understood. But, at the end of the day, Dallas is
where it begins and ends for me. Once their season comes to an end,
do I care if San Francisco, New England, or Cleveland wins? Nope.
However,
when it comes to wearing clothes. I have two rules. You will never
see me wear anything Philadelphia Eagles related – for a lot of
reasons. Now, if Jenny McCarthy (or a halfway equivalent) comes to me
and tells me to wear it, I might have to think about it. (I can’t
be bought, but I can be had!) But, seriously, I hate the Eagles. Once
upon a time, a defensive genius named Buddy Ryan was their coach.
Buddy Ryan is a ______. They could go 0-16, and that would not be bad
enough for me. (I know, they did show themselves to be better than
Dallas today, but I digress.) The same goes for the New York
Midgets...Oops, I mean Giants. I don’t hate them nearly as much as
the Eagles, but there might be some Vols fans who believe that by me
supporting a team that Eli Manning plays for (who played for OLE
MISS!), I am in some way supporting that team off of exit 388 in
Knoxville, because his brother played there. (Though you can’t help
but admire the job Butch Jones is doing. I am a smart aleck, but a
realist!)
The
other rule is if the Cowboys are playing a team that week, I won’t
wear their stuff. That’s just wrong. But, if I traveled to San
Francisco, and could buy a Montana throwback jersey, would I? Yes.
Would I buy a Kansas City jersey? Sure. Peyton Manning? Though some
would take it as me being a UT fan, I would. Simply said, he’s one
of the best of all time. I love the Cowboys, but I am also a sports
fan. I have been to Lambeau Field, and would love to go back. The
Packers are a special team. I wouldn’t mind going to
Foxboro...Soldier Field....or Yankees Stadium. I would more than
likely buy...and wear the T-Shirt. But, win or lose ugly like today,
my allegiance is to the team that Jerry built.
But,
if I offended you with my actions this week, I am sorry. One of my
fellow Big D fans, Richard Giardelli, even went as far to say that if
the Cowboys lost to the Eagles earlier today, it was a direct result
of the bad karma that I brought about as a result of my fashion
choice. Rich, I love you like a brother from another mother. But, you
can’t blame me for a train wreck like that. But, still I proudly
say....How ‘Bout Them Cowboys!
(And,
Jenny McCarthy – or halfway equivalent – call me. I just might
negotiate!)
