It's Not Crazy It's Sports

It's Not Crazy It's Sports
by William C. Walker Jr.

A few years ago ESPN had a commercial about the crazy lengths fans would go to rep their team. Tombstones engraved with team emblems and people buried in jerseys.  Tattoos, haircuts, face paints, and colorful costumes.  The tagline "It's not crazy it's sports" it meant the things that fans do may seem crazy but it's perfectly acceptable and the norm in sports.  It's a phrase I could not agree more with!  Look you'll never catch me rolling to a Cowboys game shirtless body painted silver & blue with a Cowboys star over my belly.  But I'd be lying if I said there weren't some traditions or practices I partake in during the football season.  From the layman or outside spectator they could say I was being crazy.  At least that's the opinion of my fiancee.  The conversation came up as I was thinking about where I was going to watch the Cowboys vs. Seahawks game.  It all comes down to whether or not you believe in jinxes.  Now I'm not a very superstitious person I don't fear black cats, splitting poles, Friday the 13th, or walking under a ladder.  Well okay maybe the last one but that's a safety issue nothing to do with bad luck.  But back to my point I do however believe in jinxes when it comes to my sports teams.  Thus the reason my fiancee thinks I'm crazy when it comes to watching Dallas.  Here are a few of my rules that I've developed over the years, and again it's not crazy it's sports.

RULES FOR VICTORY:
1. I will not answer nor make calls in the midst of the game: Especially when my team is winning, if you call during the game just know you won't get an answer. It's throws negative energy I will give you a call at halftime, so don't take it personal that's just standard.   Now texting is allowed standard rates apply.

2. Some form of team paraphernalia must be worn: Doesn't matter if it's a jersey, t-shirt, hat, towel or blanket.  Something repping your squad needs to be present.  Though I have a few jersey's of players that are no longer with the team I don't like to rock those for game-time unless it's throwbacks. Like Hall of Famers Michael Irvin or Emmitt Smith.

3. Fingers crossed on Third Downs & Red Zone trips: This is something I've done since I was a kid watching Dallas, and I've never relinquished the practice.  When Dallas needs a third down conversion or a score in the Redzone it's fingers crossed thumbs between the pointer & middle finger. Doesn't have to be done for the whole game just at certain crucial moments.

4. Home-field advantage: Watching the game with my Dad and brother once the season starts where you're sitting is where you stay for the season.  Now this is where my dilemma stems from this year, so I'm going to break away and go into detail.

You see growing up I've always watched games with my brother and my Dad, both Cowboys fans like me.  My other little brother has the misfortune of being a Rams fan.  So even when we got older and moved out we'd come together to watch the Boys.  Made even greater/more possible thanks to Sunday Ticket.  It was 2007 when we found this ultimate recipe for success.  Me, my Dad, and brother Cory would watch the game Dallas started that year off 5-0.  Granted we where together for their first lost against the Patriots but that was the year they went undefeated so there was no stopping that train.  I can't remember if we watched their 2nd loss that season or not, but I know the 3rd loss came at the end of the season and my brother Cory was down in DC watching the game live, and my Dad was out of town with my Mom.  It was the first time that year that the majority of us didn't watch the game together.  Granted Dallas already had home-field advantage wrapped so we chalked it up to mere coincidence.  Then the playoffs came and my brother promised he'd visit his then fiancee's family that weekend in DC, so he wouldn't be able to see the game with me and my Dad.  The rest is history Dallas was upset by the New York Giants, and went on to win the Super Bowl that year.

Eli Manning has always been a lucky quarterback in my opinion, and that year the bum was lucky the alliance had broken for that game.  My Dad still shame stares my brother on that one.  So that brings me to present day.  First game of the season I watch the game with my Dad, and Dallas get's pasted in the first quarter by San Fran.  Like most Cowboys fans who've been inclined to sell their tickets fed up with Jerry Jones mismanagement and years of mediocrity, my Dad didn't feel inclined to drop the large sum of dough for Sunday Ticket, and my brother & I agreed.  So the 2nd game of the season was watched separated, I won't go into detail of how I got to see the game but there's always another way (thanks internet).  Point is Dallas won, and in the midst of this 4 game winning streak I've yet to watch the game with my Dad or brother.  Granted we'll  text during or on halftime give each other a call but we've all been apart, save for last week when my Dad & brother watched the win over the Texans.  So when it comes to this game in Seattle part of me feels why mess with success?  Watch the game separate for when Dallas shocks the world the untethered support by me and my family would be validated as a recipe for success.  But who wouldn't want to be cheering your team to victory throwing high-fives to your little brother and Dad while Dallas makes a statement win?  It's these thoughts that I shared with my fiancee, and the reason she laughed shook her head and said "You're Crazy".

All right let me be serious for a moment I know that for Dallas to get the win in Seattle. It's going to take more than crossed fingers or assigned seats.  It's going to take a defense that's been exceeding expectations to continue to play solid team defense.  To stay discipline  and maintain gap integrity to contain Russell Wilson who's proving with each game he's deserves to be considered one of the best. As well as trying to stop Beast Mode running back Marshawn Lynch, and challenge the Legion of Boom lead by corner back Richard Sherman.  DeMarco Murray is going to have to continue on his MVP level pace, going for a 6th consecutive game for rushing for 100 yards or more.  Quarterback Tony Romo will have to continue to improve and not cost Dallas the game.  All of these things are truly possible, because it's Dallas's commitment to the run game, and actually building a young talented offense line that gives them the best shot.  Anytime your team leads the league in rushing while also being the first in 3rd down efficiency with 55.6% and 8th in scoring defense.  Your team has a chance to win.  With that being said the odds of Dallas beating Seattle in Seattle are astronomical.  The Super Bowl Champ Seahawks have loss a total of 1 game at home in the past 2 seasons including playoffs.  But that's the beauty in football and sports in general all the talk and practices become meaningless once the game starts.  The team that executes and implements a winning plan is the one that comes out on top.  So if and when Dallas wins this game people will say that's crazy unbelievable, I'll just say "It's not crazy it's sports".

LET'S GO DALLAS!!!!!!!!!