Another football season is upon us. And anyone who knows me knows that I am the ULTIMATE HOMER. I LOVE my city. I LOVE my Yankees, My Giants and my Knicks. Hell, I’ve rooted for the Mets on occasion (1986 vs. the Red Sox) I’m not a hockey fan, but I’ve rooted for the Rangers too. (I LOVE THE COLOR BLUE AS YOU CAN SEE) Outside of the New York area, the only team I like besides them, is the Pittsburgh Steelers. I despise ANY TEAM coming out of New England, except the Celtics. I can’t stand Dallas, The Ravens and the Eagles, although I did root for Philly during their 3 NFC Championship years and their trip to the Superbowl. (sacrilegious I’m sure fellow Giants fans) After that loss, that’s when I gave up on them forever because they failed to close the deal on that New England team. I seemed to take that loss extremely personal for some reason! (go figure)

Understand that my team loyalties run deep; VERY DEEP. I’ve drawn pictures of all 3 of my favorite local teams. I have the jerseys of each team to show my pride in them. My walls in my man cave are adorned with NYC team logos as is Ingrid (my SUV). I’ve betted on them and I’ve both won AND lost on them. The only time that I shed a tear for any of my teams losing the big one, was the 2001 World Series when the Yankees lost to the Diamondbacks. That was the 9/11 season. So, here’s the point that I’m attempting to make. I reach out to all of you. LOVE the teams that you want to LOVE. HATE the teams that you want to HATE. Trash talk, debate, vocally beat down your opponent, assault your antagonist with facts, level them when your team beats theirs if you choose. But never, EVER let it get carried away to the point of fighting, affecting or losing a friendship.

I’m certain that very few of us own any stock in the teams that we love so very much. The teams that we are raising hell about, that love that you have so much for your team can be a beautiful thing, as long as that love and all of those emotions are tempered. We raise the roof on our pages here, and talk smack, because that’s what we do. We’re supposed to do that. We LOVE our teams. The teams that we are “repping” I’m sure those individuals from the players to the owners are extremely happy that you love their team as much as you do. After all, where would we be without sports? There’s nothing like the rush of adrenalin when you are witnessing your team doing something so incredible; a comeback, a beat down, or just qualifying to make a run for the ultimate goal. We are consumed with sports and the feeling of the “thrill of victory.”

But after the game, after our gladiators have left it all out on the gridiron, or on the baseball field, or on the basketball court or on the soccer field, etc and the whistle has blown and the clock has expired, that’s where we should leave it too. The players have. We exit stage right and then we can go all out on a vocal blitzkrieg in the forums, the sports radio shows, in the sports pages and in that FB team / trash talking page that so many of us love so much. Most of my closest friends root for the “other” teams. But one thing I would NEVER do is allow the love they have for their team and the hate that they have for mine, affect my “personal” relationship with them. EVER! (even if I pity their choices – LOL) But that’s me. When it’s all said and done, I’m JUST a fan who loves his teams. Enjoy the upcoming NFL season and good luck to your team. (not TOO much good luck, unless of course you’re a…) GEEEE-MEN fan!!!!!