OPINION:
As a life-long fan of our Washington Redskins, I am as elated as anyone by the current success of the team. The Redskins were established in Washington by George Preston Marshall a year prior to my birth. My mother sang “Hail to the Redskins” to me when I was in my cradle. Marshall’s wife Corinne wrote the lyrics. I grew up knowing the Washington Redskins were as much a part of Washington as the Fourteenth Street Bridge or Jefferson Memorial or Congress. Our team is one of the original National Football League teams and it has been a constant in my life.
I was a season ticket holder for 40 years. I gave my tickets up a few years ago when it became inconvenient for me to attend the games, but I still avidly follow the team, anguishing when it loses and reveling in its wins.
When I attended the games I would often sit next to a fan of the opposing team. I never minded this, but what I could never tolerate was the homegrown fan who rooted for the opposing team. This was especially true when the opposing team was the Dallas Cowboys, a team created to play against the Redskins.
We are fortunate to have a venerable NFL team with such a wonderful history and tradition. The team is a reflection of the culture of the Washington area. When new players come here, they must soon realize the wonderful history and tradition of this team that is now in their hands. The Redskins have passed into the hands of different owners and played in different stadiums and survived with the country through wars and social change, but they have always been our team. The future will bring new owners, new management and new players, but the team will continue long after all the change.
The Redskins are representing the NFC Eastern Division on Sunday. Let’s cheer them on and hope they are victorius. But win or lose, hail to the Redskins.
BERNARD L. MORNINGSTAR
Ijamsville, Md.
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