10-11-2019, 06:10 PM
(10-11-2019, 05:27 PM)WestCoastBengalsFan Wrote: First Bengals game was the last game of the season in like 2003 when Corey Dillion threw his stuff into the crowd after we lost, I went with one of my best friends who had an extra ticket. I always wanted to go to games before then but my dad is actually a Bears fan and he also thought games were way too rowdy and expensive. We went to see the Bears play the Lions on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit when I was like 7 or 8, my dad/brother were in Bears gear and drunk guys dressed up like Santa Claus were coming up to my dad and brother and saying stuff like "Bears suck c*ck, and f*!k the Bears!" I was freaking traumatized as I couldn't believe Santa would talk like that, I just kept saying I don't like the Bears...Christmas was never the same after that. From that experience my dad was like no more NFL for you, so hence 2003 being first game.
I moved out west on my own in 2005 and I then went to a bunch of sporadic games throughout the years when I was back in town for business or for fun. Last year before the season started I committed to 3 games, 2 away games IND and KC, and the home opener on Thursday night. KC was a cool atmosphere and everyone was actually pretty nice. Just sucked since we got blown out and I had to listen to "IT'S A KANSAS CITY CHEIFS FIRST DOWN!!!" like 32 times and they all tomahawk chopped in front of my face. IND game was fun as I went with two of my best friends and we have front row seats on the Bengals sideline at like 45 yard line. Players are really close to stands in IND so we go to see them talking, Dunlap came over and stretched his legs while holding the rail right next to us. Was awesome seeing Fej score that strip/TD as he's one of my favorite players too.
This year I decided since Marvin is gone I was going to go all out and get season tickets. My buddy who lives in OH committed too so we both got tickets for the year, figured Zac coming in things would be different and win or lose screw it we're going all in. I booked all my flights before the season started so I'm committed to going to the rest of them except the CLE game, I haven't booked a flight because I have some family stuff and my buddy needed my ticket. As long as Bengals make some trades/FA/Draft moves I'll renew my season tickets next year too. Although I probably will only go to a few games as it was a very hard sell with the wife on me traveling for all these games. Who Dey!
Chapter, 2: High School Life of a Young West Coast Bengals Fan
It really wasn't all that bad, I convinced himself, while hot boxing a camel light waiting for the bus to come pick me up at the stop where it always did. It was dark at the end of the driveway with the only occasional light coming courtesy of the headlamps from cars passing by on their morning commute to work. But it was raining that morning, and with rain always came the cold wind as it barreled down the long corridor that was my street. I was a dyed in the wool Bengals fan, but my grandmother didn't sweat the details of such things and got me that green and black Jets Starter jacket as a Christmas gift. God, I hated the Jets, but I loved my Grandmother, so I wore it religiously. This cold, rainy November morning, though, made me love that damn thing, Jets or not.
Up the street lived my best friend, Joseph. Joseph, late for the bus as usual, was incredibly good looking. Charmingly so, even. Joseph strode up with his typical, confident walk and said, "sup?". God, what I wouldn't give for just one day in his shoes. Such a cool guy. "Nothing", I repliedlied. "Just trying to choke this cig down".
"Cool", was all I got back, until he noticed my jacket. That's when all hell broke lose. "What's up with that Jets bullshit?". Joseph wasn't having it. Not this morning. Not any morning. Joseph had standards and this jacket clearly wasn't meeting them. Embarrassed, I immediately took it off, tying it around my waste so to not risk dirtying it.
Shivering now at the bus stop I noticed Joseph step closer, behind me now. We had been friends a long time, but this was unusually close, even for besties. "Want me to... warm you up?", he gently whispered in my ear. I can still feel the tingles of his hot, wintery fresh breath on the side of my neck.
"No. No, I'm fine". But, Joseph knew I wasn't ok and proceededeeded to put his arms around me in a full body hug. I'll never forget that moment. He was so warm. So strong. I'd never felt more afraid, or alive.
And, that's when I first knew.....
Chapter 3: Whodey and crosses I bare, secrets I keep.
