RSS
Home
Arizona Cardinals 4th of July heroes: The fans
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Matt York / AP Photo
There are heroes that achieve incredible physical and mental feats. There are heroes who slay monsters and reign over kingdoms of men. There are heroes of honor, heroes of faith, heroes of war, and heroes of character.
And then there are heroes of loyalty.
Though loyal men and women don't compete on the battlefield or face the enemy directly, a loyal friend can be a warrior's biggest asset. And the loyal fans who have supported the Cardinals for the last 60 years (be it in Chicago or Arizona) have become a huge motivating force for the sometimes struggling football team.
To put this loyalty into perspective, I have chosen one specific long-time Cardinal fan's tale of heroism to represent the loyalty of Cardinal fandom.
I have never met J. Jeff, as he calls himself, but after reading his own personal Cardinals history, a history that spans from childhood to his self proclaimed "70 year-old geezer" self, I am positive many of you will be able to relate to his story.
J. Jeff grew up in New York in the 1940's and 50's, right at the end of World War II, at a time in football when college athletes were more revered than professionals and the single-wing was the preferred formation (J. Jeff admits he still longs for the single-wing to this day). He would ask his father whether or not the Cardinals had won before he could even read, but like many of us, the answer was always the same - the Cards went 0-10 in 1943 and 1944. Oddly enough, however, he also grew up in the days of the last Cardinals Championship and celebrated as a child in 1947.
Since then, as J. Jeff puts it, "to be a Cardinals fan was, indeed, a very lonely gig." To know just how lonely it was, remember that there were no blogs or websites...no instant analysis...no internet community to rally around. Waking up to box scores in the newspaper was all there was - and for 50 years, even those box scores weren't very uplifting.
But like many loyal Cardinal fans, J. Jeff kept on rooting. He kept the faith and stayed true to the team that he had grown up loving. He never turned his back on the warriors that fought for him every Sunday.
The J. Jeff of modern day sings a new tune. "Watching the fan base grow after the completion of the new stadium, what seems to be competent leadership, and now [seeing] a Super Bowl appearance has been quite gratifying." Gratifying. That's for sure.
But like any true fan, he knows close doesn't count in Super Bowls and doesn't forget to add, "the team still has unfinished business to complete."
Thank you J. Jeff, for believing and staying loyal. Thank you, fans. All of you. You are all heroes of loyalty. Heroes of the NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals.
4th of July Special Edition articles:
Another Arizona Cardinals 4th of July hero: Kurt Warner
What to Watch throughout training camp:
Part I - Rookie Development
Part II - Ongoing Contract Negotiations
Part III - The Offensive Line
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
