Solar7
Go Suns
I was born in 1986. As a baby, my dad dressed me up in Washington Redskins gear, and told me to "pick one team, and stick with them." My dad flew in the Air Force at the time, and we had to spend about 6 months in Tucson.
After he built up enough courage, he decided that it was time to ask me who my favorite football team was. At about 3 years old, I couldn't name a team besides the Washington Redskins to save my life. At this point, it was 1988, and as he asked, a commercial for the Phoenix Cardinals came on TV. My response, naturally, was, "the Phoenix Cardinals." He was in disbelief. Not only had I picked another team than his, I picked a division rival.
I grew up in Las Vegas, feeling like I was the only Cardinal fan in the entire world. It wasn't until my 2002 visit to training camp that I realized other fans truly existed. Dave McGinnis punctuated the situation by stopping his cart on the way up the hill to take a picture with me.
When Arizona State University offered me a scholarship, I took it unequvically - ignoring such schools as USC. I was going to be able to pay for Arizona Cardinals tickets with my college fund! I stood proudly in Sun Devil Stadium for two years, braving the heat every day, sometimes by myself. I could walk from my dorm room, and the next year, from my home across Tempe Town Lake.
That stadium's atmosphere put a mark on any soul that now cheers in University of Phoenix Stadium. It is a badge of pride to know that we're not there simply as spectators, but as true fans.
With a diploma now in hand, I journey from Las Vegas to Glendale each week to see my Cardinals play. The feeling can't be matched.
After he built up enough courage, he decided that it was time to ask me who my favorite football team was. At about 3 years old, I couldn't name a team besides the Washington Redskins to save my life. At this point, it was 1988, and as he asked, a commercial for the Phoenix Cardinals came on TV. My response, naturally, was, "the Phoenix Cardinals." He was in disbelief. Not only had I picked another team than his, I picked a division rival.
I grew up in Las Vegas, feeling like I was the only Cardinal fan in the entire world. It wasn't until my 2002 visit to training camp that I realized other fans truly existed. Dave McGinnis punctuated the situation by stopping his cart on the way up the hill to take a picture with me.
When Arizona State University offered me a scholarship, I took it unequvically - ignoring such schools as USC. I was going to be able to pay for Arizona Cardinals tickets with my college fund! I stood proudly in Sun Devil Stadium for two years, braving the heat every day, sometimes by myself. I could walk from my dorm room, and the next year, from my home across Tempe Town Lake.
That stadium's atmosphere put a mark on any soul that now cheers in University of Phoenix Stadium. It is a badge of pride to know that we're not there simply as spectators, but as true fans.
With a diploma now in hand, I journey from Las Vegas to Glendale each week to see my Cardinals play. The feeling can't be matched.