|
Dear Riders,
Welcome to training camp for the 2012 season. I suspect that some of you might be tempted to do one of two things. I urge you to reconsider, and I will tell you why.
Now that the pressure of making the playoffs has disappeared, some of you may be tempted to swing the lead. Screw the pooch. Why put myself in harm's way, you ask yourself. Possibly suffer a career-ending injury.
And for what? Who cares? The season's over!
Yet others may be tempted to give free rein to some of their baser impulses. With nothing on the line, why NOT take a poke at that ignorant miserable mouthy so-and-so who has been making your life a misery these past few months?
And I know full well that one or more of these players who may be somewhat lacking in the social graces will be on the other teams, but some may, in fact, have the lockers next to you in your OWN locker room.
Again:
What do you have to lose, right? Season's over?
Let me tell you what you have to lose.
Your jobs, that's what.
It's training camp all over again. And you know that nice man, the grandad that bailed you out half-way through the season? Dear old Grampa Ken? I don't think dear old Grampa Ken is too happy right now. You guys just screwed him
out of his head office job, and put him back out on the sidelines. In EDMONTON! In NOVEMBER!! And he is OLD! PLUS you made him seem like an idiot for hiring Greg Marshall and Doug Berry in the first place, and you made HIM the
poor bugger that had to fire them.
Think THAT made him happy?
Dear old kindly Grampa Ken has been screwed out of his afternoon naps by his spoiled grandchildren, and somehow, I don't think he's going to be in the mood to cut you much slack.
You think he is going to continue calling you "the men in the locker room", children?
So suck it up, boys. 2012 starts today. We love you. We support our team - more than any other franchise in the CFL we support our team. We support you in every home game, and in every away game. No matter where you are playing,
look up in the stands, and you will see green. We are the Rider Nation, and we have Rider Pride. Win or lose. A win would be nice of course, and a Grey Cup every 20 years or so, but the things we must have, that we cannot do without,
are these things: players who play with heart and determination; who play with smarts and skills and courage; who put their body on the line; who will make the catch and take the hit. Who never give up. Who play every minute in
every quarter in every game. Who play for the love of the game and the love of their fans. For their TRUE fans, who also never give up.
We are The Rider Nation, and goddammit, we expect better.
Welcome to Training Camp 2012. And if you think you are now playing for your jobs?
You are.
Love,
Some Old Guy
Back to HOME.
|