How The Moon Influenced My Foray Back Into The NFL

The connection between the moon and the NFL may not be readily apparent at first. But wait. It will make sense in a moment.

When I was a very young girl, my older brother James was a major influence in my life. He inspired my lifetime loyalty to the Montreal Canadiens hockey team and my interest in football, both CFL and NFL. He would talk about players, what made them special, what skill sets they brought to their teams, to the game. I learned to appreciate individual players and their gifts, regardless of the teams they played for.

So, when I was young, I began cheering for the Edmonton Eskimos. They had a QB named Warren Moon. He was amazing! I cheered hard for them, and they were a winning team with him. He led his team to Grey Cup victories from 1978 to 1983. Then Moon did what few CFL players manage to do; he moved from the CFL to the NFL. He became the QB for the Houston Oilers in 1984, and guess what? I cheered for them too! Heh. I had loyalty to the man, not the team.

I gave up on the NFL after a couple of years, thanks in large part to the stupid strike, and did not return to it until 1999, when I was introduced to another QB in the NFL. This time it was a first year player who was a first round draft pick. His playing style reminded me of Doug Flutie, another QB I followed from the CFL to the NFL. This time the QB was Donovan McNabb, Number 5 starting QB for the Philadelphia Eagles. And I have to say, my loyalty to this man was in direct contrast to the LACK of support he received from many in Philly itself.

I have cheered for Donovan for ten years, and I even own Eagle gear, including jerseys, hats, tshirts, a lanyard, and a key chain. Most of these were given to me, surprisingly enough. And because I cheer for the man, not the team, now that he has moved on, I find myself cheering for his new team, the team with one of the most racist team logos around. I don't care about that enough to not cheer for him.

I also don't care enough what other people think. They are shocked - shocked I tell you! - that I would stop cheering for the Eagles. Why wouldn't I? It was never about the team, it was about the man, and the skill set he brings to the game. He can make something out of damn near nothing, and I will cheer for him until he retires.

My brother James taught me that, and I am glad.

And that is how the Moon influenced my foray back into the NFL.