The Sundays

An article by Don Quixote

I’ve got a case of the Sundays today.

It seems to be generally brought on by this mediocre football team that has flashes of brilliance; otherwise known as The Detroit Lions.

I’ve never been a football fan.

We never watched sports growing up (with the occasionally exception of NASCAR, but I think that was purely for the crashes). I had no favorite teams. No pictures of heroes on my wall. No aspirations of throwing a touch down in the final seconds to win the big game.

When I was 10 years old I found out that my mother was a closet Tigers fan as I spent many a night watching the Tigers drive to the 1984 World Series. I learned names like Sparky Anderson, Alan Trammell, Lou Witaker, and Lance Parrish. I watched and cheered for no other reason than this was the team I was supposed to like.

And so I did.

Sometime in college I think my Junior year I was suckered into a thing called a Fantasy Football league. Tom Flammer suckered me into playing and by some odd twist of fate I had the first pick in the first round. Everyone told me I only needed to know two words, “Steve Young”. So I did. I also picked up Herman Moore and who knows how many other players (I don’t recall) and I started watching football.

When you watch football as a Fantasy Owner you watch it differently. You don’t care who wins the game, only that your players score points. Which having watched football post F.F., I find to be an advantage. You can cheer for plays on both sides of the line.

Half way through the season I made what some thought was a horrible trade. I ended up getting Scott Mitchell of the Detroit Lions from Fred Lab I believe (again, don’t quote me on that). Wouldn’t you know it, he took off like a rocket. I faced down Timm (yes with two m’s) Chickering in the Super Bowl. I do not recall if I won or not, but from that point on I was sold.

Due to the Mitchell/Moore connection I became a Detroit fan. I fell in love with this guy name Barry Sanders who was just a machine.

I later joined something called a Keep League that was managed by Scotty Johnson and spent 6 years (or so) in that. I managed to create quite the dynasty winning 3 Super Bowls, making the playoffs every year but one and being the first team to go back to back (I think). I discovered guys like Kurt Warner, Terrell Davis and a slew of others.

I left because it got so depressing if I lost (or thought I was going to loose). My heart rose and sank on a play by play basis. I hard archrivals; teams that I hated. I spent hours looking of stats, comparing players you name it. I used to watch the occasional game with Michelle and she HATED watching football with me because I would cheer for the wrong teams.

Finally a few years ago I gave it up and sold off the franchise. Having gone through 5 starting QBs (all taken out by injury) and still making the playoffs, the stress was just too much and I hated that depressed feeling.

So now I just watch the Lions and the Colts and occasionally comment that that guy used to be on my fantasy football team.

I like the Lions, but they break my heart. They come out, make brilliant plays and then do something stupid.

Sometimes I think the officials just hate them. In today’s game right out of the gate in the 2nd half (they dominated the first half) they got hammered with 5 defensive penalties in a row.

What’s wrong me with? How is it that a person can wrap their emotions up into a “team”? How does that happen? When did they become my team?

Tom, you’re a Tigers fan. How do you deal with that disappointment year in and year out (just digging at you man)?

Oh well, fates be damned. Go Lions.