Young Fan

Little kids dressed like mini-adults always catch my attention. This little fellow was no exception as he tore up and down in front of Acre coffee this morning, his mother in hot pursuit. He was even managing to do this whilst eating his morning pastry.

The story he tells is a personal one for me because really is dressed from head to toe in black and grey, the colors of the Oakland Raiders football team. They began as the Oakland Raiders in 1960 and played there until 1981 when they moved to Los Angeles. Son Tim was a huge fan at age 11, and found it hard to forgive them for leaving Oakland.

When the Raiders returned to Oakland in 1994 they had a reputation for being the bad boys of the National Football League and had a hard core group of followers who sat in a section called The Black Hole. You can get a sense of it here if you have the slightest interest.

Tim was ecstatic and OilMan, infected by his enthusiasm, purchased season tickets that first year. Tim prepared an elaborate tailgate picnic for each game which they ate in the parking lot of the Oakland Colisem. By the time they repaired inside to watch the game they didn't sit in the Black Hole, but they had definitely bonded over barbecued chicken wings, cooked on a hibachi they carried in the back of my Jeep along with a small television to watch the pre game festivities. 

Apparently the camaraderie, the chicken wings and the beer were worth it, even though the team practically never won. The season tickets were given up after Tim's children were born, but OilMan and Tim continued to go to Raider Games when they could, occasionally including a grandchild.

What, you are asking, does any of this have to do with a toddler running around in front of Acre coffee? The moment I saw him, I was instantly reminded of Raider lore, male bonding, and the fact that Tim's kids were often turned out in Raider garb when they were toddlers. The funny thing is, not a single item of this little fellow's clothing said Raiders.... 

Even though I hate football and couldn't see the appeal of sitting in a stadium with a bunch of guys dressed like pirates, making noise, getting drunk and throwing up in the stands, I really loved the enthusiasm with which Tim and OilMan looked forward to Fall Saturdays at the Raider Games....