Photo: Downtown Jacksonville, Florida (Photo courtesy of Paul Figura)
When I started doing these articles, I told Joey that I would probably stick to one post per week. First of all, I had never written anything in this capacity before and didn’t think that I could produce good content at a rate any higher than ‘one-a-week’. Secondly, I didn’t want to be that guy. The guy that’s constantly all up in everyone’s face about some cause or movement, so much that people just start turning a blind eye and a deaf ear. In fact, I’m sure there are people that have read these articles and/or follow me on Twitter that would argue that I’m already pushing it on both counts.
All that being said, I find myself compelled to write, while I should be doing other things. You know, the things I get paid to do; here at my actual job. I don’t really know what I’m trying to accomplish by writing this, or if anyone will even care. But that hasn’t stopped me yet, so here goes:
So I was sitting here at my desk at work, checking my Twitter feed, as any good social-networking slacker would, when I saw that this coming Sunday’s Jaguars-Texans game is officially blacked out. Now it’s not like this news surprised me. In fact, after the Jags’ dismal performance last Sunday in San Francisco, I think we all saw it coming. For most of us, the backlash after a Jaguars loss has become all but routine. That’s not news. That’s traffic on the Fuller-Warren or a robbery on the North side. That’s Jacksonville.
So if I wasn’t surprised, then why did it affect me so much? So much that I just had to stop what I was doing and start typing. Well maybe it wasn’t the news about the Texans game that got me so motivated. Maybe it was hearing that the other two remaining home games, including the nationally televised Thursday night game versus the Indianapolis Colts on December 17th, are currently no where close to being sold out. Yeah, maybe that was it.
No where close…
I just don’t get it. I kept repeating that phrase to myself over and over again, as I shook my head and drove to meet my wife for lunch. I was getting all ready to hit her, full-force, with another one of my unintelligible, Jaguars-related rants. Rants that she’s heard 100 times more often than any one person should ever tolerate.
Then I saw her. She looked miserable.
For the past few days, she’s been fighting as bad a head cold as you could imagine. Our house has become a graveyard for used tissues and unfinished glasses of Theraflu. And as I sat there trying to comfort her – eyes puffy and watery, nose runny and red, a zombie-like facial expression – I completely forgot about my impending tirade. Afterward, I realized I do get it.
There are a million things in life more important than the Jacksonville Jaguars. Why people don’t go to Jaguars games is no big secret or mystery. Jacksonville has been giving and hearing the myriad of different reasons for years now. And after all those years, one thing is clear:Â You can’t argue with them. You can’t convince somebody that doesn’t want to buy Jaguars tickets that their reasons for doing so are wrong, or ridiculous, or unfounded. Because no matter what the surface reason happens to be, the underlying reason is plain and simple:Â They don’t have to.
You can’t argue that.
No Jacksonville resident is obligated to buy Jaguars tickets. Therefore, any reason anyone gives for not going is going to be completely logical. Unfortunately, I think that’s where a lot of people get hung up. Choosing to purchase tickets and support the Jaguars isn’t a decision based on logic. It’s a decision based on emotions. You don’t do it because it makes all the sense in the world. You do it because you love it. And I’m not talking about a love for the Jaguars or even a love for football or sports in general. I’m talking about a love for this city.
I’ve lived in Jacksonville pretty much my whole life. I love this city with all my heart. It’s full of great people and limitless potential. This city has given me so much – people to love, memories to cherish, a place to call “home”. All without ever really asking for much in return. And right now a threat is looming and targeting one of my beloved city’s vital organs.
The fact of the matter is the Jaguars are a vital part of this city, and the possibility of losing the team becomes more real with each passing Jaguars game blackout. I hear the city crying out for help. And I’m sure you hear it too. So please don’t misunderstand.
The Jaguars don’t need you. Jacksonville needs you.
Think about that. Now of course, there’s no line in the sand; no call to arms. And the truth still remains, you don’t have to do anything. However, the other side of that truth is that clearly, something must be done. This city has given all of us too much to let indifference dictate its fate. To sit by and watch as outside forces penetrate our city walls and tell us what our city should and shouldn’t do; what it is and what it isn’t; who we are and who we aren’t.
Something must be done.
We must protect this house.
