tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24495557.post-36130193270390132842007-01-31T13:08:00.000-05:002007-01-31T13:29:31.633-05:002007-01-31T13:29:31.633-05:00<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">It's Gabe's first Super Bowl</b>. His NFL fan affiliation is still undefined, so he gets a nice chance to simply pick one of two options: <b style=""><i style="">Colts or Bears</i></b>.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">There are a couple of factors that are going into the decision-making mix:</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">(A) His existing fan allegiances</b>. Gabe's Florida Gators fandom has two significant implications: (1) He has an interest in rooting for Rex Grossman. (2) He has an interest in rooting <i style="">against</i> Peyton Manning.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style="">(B) His family birthright</b>. Gabe's paternal grandfather's family is huge Chicagoan. I have to imagine that "Grandpa" -- a Bears fan -- would like to see his only grandson get behind the Bears.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">(C) His father's complicated history</span>. (With the Bears, specifically.) Mostly from my dad's influence, I grew up a huge Bears fan. Settle in for some backstory:<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><blockquote><p class="MsoNormal">I was 12 -- arguably the most formative year for any fan -- for the Bears' 1985 season.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">More than that, I grew up a Bears fan in <st1:place st="on"><st1:city st="on">Washington</st1:City>, <st1:state st="on">D.C.</st1:State></st1:place> I can't stress enough the effect of displaced fandom on a kid in heightening interest.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">(What makes that so interesting is that when I finally got to <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:City> full-time, for college, and I was finally surrounded by "my people," my love for the team eroded. Ultimately, I stopped liking the NFL altogether, but that was a function of working for the NFL and another story altogether.)</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I never regained the die-hard love of the Bears that I had as a kid. But I have always maintained a sympathy (even this season, when I adopted the Jaguars -- thanks, Deadspin!). It's interesting: While I lost my passion for rooting FOR the Bears, I could never imagine rooting AGAINST them.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">And so even though I picked the Colts to win the Super Bowl in my preseason picks (over the Bears, I have to add), I will be rooting for the Bears on Sunday -- a residual feeling from my fandom as a kid.</p></blockquote><p class="MsoNormal"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Only 9 months old</span>, Gabe has no real choice in the matter, but I think that given the factors above, he'll be rooting for the Bears, too. At least, that's the direction we'll be pushing him.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal">And, for the first time, I'm wondering what NFL team he'll be a fan of when he finally has the cognitive ability to make a choice. Will it be the Bears? Is it possible that his experience this weekend will leave some sort of subconscious imprint on him?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">-- D.S.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">P.S.</span>: I'm in <st1:city st="on"><st1:place st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:City> this week for work, and I was going to pick up a Rex Grossman jersey for Gabe to wear. But they're $40! That's ridiculous. So I'm going to Photoshop an image I'll iron on to a blank white onesie: "Future Sex Cannon." A better homage to Grossman, I cannot imagine. </p>DanShanoff.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08126386161198401693noreply@blogger.com3