Getting through tough stretches and loving what we've all built
We let Matt the Intern at queencityblitzers.com handle a lot of blogging duties this summer but, with two games left, I've gotta put some of the tough vibes from these tough times in a bit of perspective. Positivity rules.
The days after losses punch me in the gut, and there have been a few lately as you know. It won't surprise you that a lot of pre-game FCB songs make it onto my iPod for the gym. One of those jams is "Rose Tattoo" by Dropkick Murphys (with Bruce Springsteen) and it's been a staple at FCB games for a couple years now. Seeing as the gym is a good place to burn off some Monday morning frustration, I heard it this morning whilst trying to "unfatten my midsection".
There's one part that gets me every time. Obviously we can't do much about the Murphys (not Coach's family, the band) being from Boston, nor Bruins fans, but there's a line in the song,
"This ones for our favorite game Black and gold, we wave the flag This ones for my family name With pride I wear it to the grave."
Here's the song
Every time, every time, I can't help but have it ring out 'blue and gold' in my brain. Every. Time. And as I grew up a hockey maniac, it pumps me up even more.
Why can't it be blue and gold? Easy. You can't manufacture 90 years of tradition overnight, but what our fans, players and coaches have done in five years is unbelievable.
That's one of the reasons it stings so much to go on a losing skid (especially when the players are working their legs off through injuries and tough breaks). Even being the testy and fiery competitor I am, I suppose I could handle losing games a bit easier if it wasn't for the fact that we have this loud, wonderful group of lunatics banging drums and singing songs for us. Plenty of days I wish I could be in the press box and with folks like Dale, Brandon, the Fischers, et. al. We love you guys and girls. Cliff, Wayne, Donna... naming names is dangerous. You know who you are.
So I think what makes me so nutty about this club is that our fans and supporters have propped us up to a great height and this year we just haven't found it on the field. In a way, it's like another song on the mix: Aloe Blacc's "The Man". It's a song -- to me -- about knowing your worth and ability, about claiming your place at the table. "It's time to do what must be done / Be a king when kingdom comes." You're providing a crown. We gotta get under it.
We have two matches left in 2014, both at home. I'm still fired up for both of them. We've got good, industrious players and a very strong coaching staff. On Wednesday, we get to host Detroit City FC and their excellent supporters, the Northern Guard at 5pm. On Sunday at 730pm, we'll toast to the future with a season finale against Michigan Stars.
We're going to get there. Together.
-NM