OT fans who don't root for their home teams

[tedzan]

Grew up in Hillside, NJ and in the early 1970's (like most in our neighborhood) I was a devoted NY Jets fan. Seats at Shea Stadium were always sold out.
So, we drove up to Foxboro (Mass), or down to Baltimore to see the Jets play. Sept 24th, 1972 in Baltimore, an NFL game I'll never forget, Joe threw for
493 yards and Johnny Unitas threw for 376 yards. Jets 44 / Colts 34, an unbelievable passing contest by both these HOFer's. Including a 67-yard scoring
pass to my hero John Riggins.






I became a big Redskins fan in 1976, since the foolish Jets management would not renew John Riggins contract. The rest is history, as "free-spirited" Big John
went on to have some great HOF seasons.

And, the Jets have not achieved much ever since they let Big John go.....you can call it the "Riggins Hex"


TED Z

T206 Reference
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[Orioles1954]

Grew up in Howard County, Maryland, the battleground for Baltimore/D.C. loyalties. I chose Baltimore. I gleefully cheer against D.C. sports teams (including the University of Maryland).

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Grew up in Hillside, NJ and in the early 1970's (like most in our neighborhood) I was a devoted NY Jets fan. Seats at Shea Stadium were always sold out.
So, we drove up to Foxboro (Mass), or down to Baltimore to see the Jets play. Sept 24th, 1972 in Baltimore, an NFL game I'll never forget, Joe threw for
493 yards and Johnny Unitas threw for 376 yards. Jets 44 / Colts 34, an unbelievable passing contest by both these HOFer's. Including a 67-yard scoring
pass to my hero John Riggins.






I became a big Redskins fan in 1976, since the foolish Jets management would not renew John Riggins contract. The rest is history, as "free-spirited" Big John
went on to have some great HOF seasons.

And, the Jets have not achieved much ever since they let Big John go.....you can call it the "Riggins Hex"


TED Z

T206 Reference
.

He was the heart and soul of the Redskins for a few years. Underappreciated running back, IMO.

Growing up in NJ, I couldnt care less for the Yankees, Mets and Phillies my team was the Reds since the 60's

[tedzan]

Originally Posted by Peter_Spaeth

He was the heart and soul of the Redskins for a few years. Underappreciated running back, IMO.

Hi Peter
….."underappreciated running back"..... I don't think so !

During the early 1980's I had a lot of business trips to D.C. (my new time-shared Data Communications system was undergoing field trials at the Navy Annex).
And, I was amazed at the attention John Riggins enjoyed. Especially after their Jan 1983 Super Bowl victory. In which, John Riggins was awarded the MVP.
Furthermore, when the Navy guys I was working with realized I was a Redskins fan, they treated me like a "king". Taking me to some great restaurants in D.C.

Actually, to be truthful, I favored the Redskins before John Riggins joined them in 1976, for I was always a great Sonny Jurgensen fan.


TED Z

T206 Reference
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[Peter_Spaeth]

Ted sure he was appreciated in DC, but I think if you google lists of greatest all time running backs you aren't going to find him on many, but IMO you should.

Jurgensen, similar story. People in DC knew how great he was (except George Allen who stupidly started Billy Kilmer over him, unimaginable), but again you won't find his name mentioned now on those all time great lists. A great pure passer IMO.

PS my dad sat next to Sonny on a cross country flight once during said George Allen era. Sonny was several sheets to the wind, and what he had to say about not starting was unprintable. In public, though, to his credit, he kept quiet, and if I recall he and Kilmer actually got along quite well personally.

[tedzan]

Peter

I wish I had the luck of your Dad. Sitting with Sonny Jurgensen for 6 hours on a flight would be a great experience. Sonny was a "free-spirit" just like John Riggins.

I'm sure you know, on many occasions Sonny would come in to the latter part of a game in which Bill Kilmer was losing, and turn the game around with his precise
screen passes, etc.

Jurgensen is recognized as the finest pure passer of his day. He earned three NFL individual passing titles. He exceeded 400 yards passing in a single game 5 times,
and threw 5 TD passes in a game twice. His stats include 2,433 completions for 32,224 yards and 255 TD's. Also, Sonny rushed for 493 yards and 15 TD's. His 82.6
career passer rating is the highest for any player in the NFL (prior to 1978).


TED Z

T206 Reference
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[clydepepper]

Technically, I wasn't born in Georgia, but have lived here almost my entire life...and have rooted for the Braves' through very bad and very good times.

I have NEVER sided with the opposition...and never will.

I have more difficulty putting up with slip carey- of course, I use the mute button liberally and usually enjoy the radio broadcasts.

.

[icollectDCsports]

Originally Posted by tedzan

Peter

I wish I had the luck of your Dad. Sitting with Sonny Jurgensen for 6 hours on a flight would be a great experience. Sonny was a "free-spirit" just like John Riggins.

I'm sure you know, on many occasions Sonny would come in to the latter part of a game in which Bill Kilmer was losing, and turn the game around with his precise
screen passes, etc.

Jurgensen is recognized as the finest pure passer of his day. He earned three NFL individual passing titles. He exceeded 400 yards passing in a single game 5 times,
and threw 5 TD passes in a game twice. His stats include 2,433 completions for 32,224 yards and 255 TD's. Also, Sonny rushed for 493 yards and 15 TD's. His 82.6
career passer rating is the highest for any player in the NFL (prior to 1978).


TED Z

T206 Reference
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If there was an underrated running back for that team during that era, it was Larry Brown.