Gameday Rituals

I downplay each game as much as possible. Try not to get too hyped about it. Friends invite me over to watch the game and I'll act real nonchalant about it "Yeah I'll see. I've got some errands to run. Might not be able to catch the game anyway" They know that 95% of the time even if I have something else to do I'll be there from start to finish to watch the game.

Then while the game is on I don't say or react to anything really. I just sit there and watch like it was nothing. On a rare occasion I'll get really animated. And at halftime I always make two phone calls. One is to anyone else who I know is watching the game and ask them what they think so far, and the other call is to someone I know couldn't possibly care about the game-my aunt for example-just to take my mind off the game for a couple of minutes

Of course being part of the Warpath now sure makes it harder not to get fired up for everything Redskins

lots of Heinekins during the game

Bleed Burgandy:

That lucky Skins hat you have been wearing without washing it for 5 years hasn't been doing so well. Its record in the last 5 years is under .500. MIght I suggest tossing it in the laundry? Maybe you'll wash out the bad karma that was in there prior to Joe Gibbs return. Lord knows we've had plenty of bad karma around here for the last decade...

I have two hats I wear...A game day hat and a game time hat. The game day hat is whatever new hat I buy at the beginning of each season. The game time hat I got back in 1991 (staples and tape and all its still in one piece and never been washed). before there last super bowl. I hope it brings the same fortune now that Gibbs is back. I also have a Redskins Divot Tool that I keep in my left pocket all the time and it only comes out during games.

My pregame ritual is to act very calm before the game starts, and then yell and cuss at the television as soon as the Redskins TURN THE BALL OVER 7 TIMES.

Then, I fantasize about hitting the television with a baseball bat.

Then, the tears start.

From the time preseason starts I get all of my Redskins apparel out of the closet and hang all of my hats on a rack. Everyday I have something on that represents this team. The Indian head logo is a powerful symbol and has the ability to attract a lot of fellow fans and enemies. On Sunday I only wear the traditional burgundy "R" fitted hat and if we are away then I wear an away jersey or vice-versa. My favorite jersey to wear is my John Riggins Authenic. He still is my favorite Redskin ever since I saw him play against San Francisco 49ers in the Late 70's. I go to Ringside Sportsbar and represent the Skins along with four other guys. The great part is there's a sea of Steelers, Cowboys, Jets, and Giants fans that are there and so you can imagine the noise and arguments.

I get to the game 3 hours ahead of kickoff. Tailgate and enjoy some great food and a few good drinks. Get in the stadium 1 hour before kickoff and head to the endzone where the team warms up. Yell and scream good and bad depends on the previous weeks game. Stay there till linebackers finish their drills and head to my seat. Hey, they win, they lose but I stay with my ritual. I leave the coaching to the proffesionals. The only ritual that I knew worked was play the game at RFK. Seems to work but they just won't help me out.

Bleed Burgandy:

That lucky Skins hat you have been wearing without washing it for 5 years hasn't been doing so well. Its record in the last 5 years is under .500. MIght I suggest tossing it in the laundry? Maybe you'll wash out the bad karma that was in there prior to Joe Gibbs return. Lord knows we've had plenty of bad karma around here for the last decade...


No, no, no, curmudgeon. You don't understand, it still hasn't built up the necessary stank to be truly lucky. It has to be be worn through all the bad times before it can do good. Hopefully, it has now paid its dues and is ready to bring us some W's, starting Monday night! ;)

I don't have any serious pre-game rituals, just make sure I am watching with my hat and jersey.

DURING the game and depending on how the Skins are doing, I try to achieve the right karmic balance in the viewing area: I will sit in a different chair, kick my wife out of the room, get my wife to stay in the room, let the dogs on the couch put, put the dogs on the couch, put one dog out and keep one dog in, change articles of clothing, move/adjust furniture. Once balance has been acheived and all is going well - NO ONE IS ALLOWED TO MOVE until/unless something goes wrong and a NEW balance must be established.

12 pack of heineken. Turn off the cell phone, and light up a fatty after a victory!