Haters Not Allowed...Why you have to Love Football

Everyone who knows me knows that I love football.  I love almost everything about it.  I don’t understand how anyone can actually say they hate it.  But I do know there are those out there that do and this is for them. This is also for those who don’t love it like I do, those of you who may be on the fence and for those who already love it but may not have thought about it this way.

Side bar here ~ A few blogs ago I wrote about how I believe it is possible to die from a broken heart.  Just last week, the Ravens former owner, Art Modell passed away at the age of 87.  He had been in poor health for quite a while and he lost his beloved wife about 10 months ago.  Every day he was without her, he missed her. Listening to his family and friends remember him, they further supported my already whole-hearted knowledge that a broken heart can be one of the worst things ever. He is now with his love, together forever in love.

In reading and researching everything Mr. Modell did and accomplished in his life, I was astounded to learn of scope of his accomplishments and the depths of his love…love for his wife, for his family, for his job, for his friends he made family, for his cities (Cleveland and then Baltimore), for his employees, and most of all for the sport of football and the game beyond the game.

The purpose of this writing is not to recap everything Mr. did because you can do that on your own. And, you should because he literally changed the face of TV and football and changed the course of so many lives. Here is some help if you don’t want to type his name into Google.

http://www.baltimoreravens.com/search-results?q=Art+Modell  

The purpose is to help anyone understand that football is so much more than a game and it’s way beyond a Sunday afternoon pastime that involves drinking beer and crock pots. Don’t get me wrong, that’s what first got me loving it…socializing with friends (ummm, one of my most favorite things in the world) while drinking beers and eating delicious food, where do I sign??  But, football is so much more.

In 2011 our team...

• Did 300 community appearances
• Gave $1.1 million in grants
• Play 60 message was delivered to 900 schools http://www.nflrush.com/play60
• Supported 1,693 events with charitable donations
• Donated 300 pairs of high school cleats
• Donated 4,239 tickets to nonprofit organizations
• Built our third community playground with KaBOOM
• Supported 5 new (and as of 2012 support 15 students) with a 4 year scholarship to pursue higher education
• 17 players have individual foundations where they donate time and money
• Instead of holiday gifts to employees, John Harbaugh donated 150 boxes of goodies to soldiers on the front lines in Afghanistan

I could go on and on about the community involvement beyond the game but, in all honesty, we expect athletes and highly successful organization to give back to their communities.  We expect this, but not all athletes and not all organizations weave it into the culture of who they are.  Mr. Modell did. Steve Bisciotti does.  And, we do. For those reasons alone, you should not hate football.

Beyond community appearances, donations and doing the right thing, football is a community with a rich and storied history and culture. There is a common goal that is shared by the likes of everyone…old, young, rich, poor, sick, healthy, people of all colors, men and women.  Mr. Modell knew this in the 60’s. The obvious goal is to go to and win the Super Bowl. The amazingly hard goal of becoming World Champions. What may not be so obvious is that the road to that goal is busting with opportunity for anyone who wants to be involved in the journey. 

For most people, the journey begins in communities all over the country with little boys and girls playing and watching football.  Dads, uncles, and friends coach. Mom’s drive carpools, stand in freezing temperatures and pack snacks.  Sisters and brothers cheer on the sidelines.  Grandparents, friends, aunts, uncles, cousins come out to watch.  There are high fives and encouragement.  Players learn the value of good coaching, teamwork, winning and losing, hard work and friendship.  Dreams are launched. Character begins to establish. Can do attitudes are expected.  Boundaries are not seen. Impossible is more than possible. Families and friends gather together in support of each other.

In the high school, college and professional ranks, athletes and families continue on the journey. Many families have deep rooted traditions when it comes to the team and the games. They go to some games, they go to all games, or they watch them on TV while steaming shrimp.  Some have the same seats that have been in their families for years and years.  Some plan vacations and holidays around the games.   Some families take their babies to games as early as their first year so they know nothing but love for the team.  Some families create new traditions and pass them along to their kids. 

There are athletes who become closer to realizing their dreams of playing and others follow new paths and chase dreams while staying on the same journey.  There is common language and more involvement in the game. Communities come together in support of their local teams.  Fans wear their team’s colors and become instant friends with strangers who also wear those same colors.  Sports chat can be had with any fan of the game. Old and new friends gather and converse at water coolers to discuss the “big” games, new acquisitions and the bright stars on the team.

Economically, sports bring so many jobs for all kinds of different people…athletes, accountants, ushers, nurses, vendors of all kinds, hospitality, construction, grocers, musicians, technicians, sales and office folks, just to name a few. Cities with successful sports teams can draw fans from all over the country to visit, thus earning revenue for themselves, creating more jobs and opportunity for the locals and offering an exciting experience for visiting friends.

Most importantly, when in a city that loves their team (like Baltimore), family and friends gather.  GATHER TOGETHER. The importance of gathering should not be overlooked.  In this fast paced world of iPhones, technology, and rushing everywhere, the time for gathering is often short or brought on by a tragedy or death. It’s not often that something consistently brings diverse people together, united in a common goal.  United in a goal that is filled with excitement, opportunity, disappointment (at times), conversation, sharing, community, joy, giving, good spirit and fun. United in a goal that lives and breathes and can positively impact the lives of so many. 

Mr. Modell had a vision. He saw beyond the common cultural and economic barriers of his time and took a stand for something.  He knew the strength in diversity and he knew about the power of love. He gave back to his communities and helped create a culture so far beyond the game, it’s nearly inexplicable. He was wise beyond his years. He will always be remembered for his contributions.

If you want to be a part of something great, something that wins daily (both on and off the field), something that gives more than it likely gets, something that grows bigger with community involvement, giving, sharing, and diversity, something that can only get better with the support of a strong community…How can you not be a believer? How can you not love it?

If you don’t, I’m just not sure we can be friends.  J

xo~

Elizabeth