FanPost

A Letter from Exile...

As a Bengals fan living in the middle of Ravens, Redskins, and Steelers country, I get asked almost daily during football season why I remain a Bengals fan.  After a few expletives, I usually respond with something akin to the following:

Son, we live in a world that has bad football teams, and those teams have to be cheered by fans. Whose gonna do it? You Chris Cooley-jersey wearer? You, Purple Spandex-wearing Ray Lewis fan? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom.... You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That the Bengals suckiness, while tragic, probably enables your team to make the playoffs. And that my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, allows the NFL to carry on for season after season. You don't want to know why I still cheer, because deep down in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me interested in the games, you need me interested in the games.
...
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to fans whose teams rise and sleep under the blanket of the easy victories that the Bengals provide, then question the manner in which I cheer for my team. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a Who Dey Sign, wear an Akili Smith jersey, and stand in a hostile sports bar. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.

Bottom Line:  I'd rather cheer for a losing Bengals team than a winning Redskins, Steelers, or Ravens squad.  Why?  Because I grew up in Cincinnati and the Bengals are MY team.  Yeah, I hate Mike Brown and every season is like a kick in the nuts, but hey, I don't go to games, so Mike Brown gets none of my money.  It might suck cheering for the NFL-version of the Washington Generals but hope springs eternal.  Here's to 1-14-1!  WHO DEY!

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.