Our past is one full of anguish and angst. The stories, videos and articles found here depict moments that have made us who we are today. After each "shot", with every "drive" and "fumble", and amidst every crushing "decision", we've been put through torment and pain. Yet we've come back season after season, supporting our teams with an unwavering devotion.
I ask that you share these stories. Indoctrinate our youth on how to rightfully honor those fans who have come before them. Let them see what it took to be a Cleveland fan. Don't let the tears we've shed throughout the past half-century be forgotten. Together, we're surviving the struggle. Together, we celebrate these memories.
It takes a lot to be a Clevelander. Our windows often frame an overcast sky, and work for half the year at keeping out a brutal wind and cold. Both we and our school systems lack the funds needed to keep our heads above water, and the distance between the haves and have-nots grows both financially and geographically. Nevertheless, our love for our local pro sports teams brings us together on game-day. We wear our pride not only on our sleeves, but on the jerseys and sweatshirts worn over them. Love of sports oozes from our pores like ballpark mustard onto an Opening Day dog, and our every-day problems take a back seat, if only for a few hours. We sit amongst one another with a beer and a smile, although the latter seems too eager to leave.
One day we will be "The Best". One day we will have a parade down Euclid, and tens of thousands will line the streets wearing the colors of the Champs. Schools will close, businesses will shut down, weddings will be rescheduled. Tattoo artists will be inundated with requests from die-hard fans who want to mark the occasion with permanence. We'll be able to say that even just for a brief moment, the world's eyes were on Cleveland. In that moment, we rose to the occasion. In that moment, we didn't crumble under the pressure. A superstar didn't make a spectacular shot. We held onto the ball. We were the better team. We won. One day, WE WILL WIN! And that day, and quite possibly every day after, will be that much sweeter.
