| Craig Johnson. 1st September, 2005 - 9:44 pm
 With the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina all over the news, maybe a little football can help salvage the pain.
Unfortunately for the New Orleans Saints, football may be a reminder of the devastation for years to come.
The Louisiana Superdome has sure seen better days then the last few it has faced. With the entire season in doubt of having football played in this ‘ Mecca’ of sporting palaces, even the 1980’s “Aint’s” would be a sight for sore eyes. But the good in all of this is that the season will go on. No matter what city you live in or what city your favorite ball club plays in, Katrina takes a toll on everyone. For our beloved Redskins many players have hailed from these areas. Some have family still there and some even played their college ball right in the Superdome.
All I can say is “Thank God, the Redskins play football tonight.” Living in Central Florida where Hurricanes are known too well, tonight’s football game will finally relieve my television from having to watch anymore devastation. That’s what we hope considering that we are playing our final preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens. Although, devastation may have not hit the Washington area, players will be playing with the Gulf Coast region in the back of their minds. Safety Ryan Clark has family living in a suburb of New Orleans, left tackle Chris Samuels and linebacker Robert McCune are from Mobile, Ala. And quarterback Patrick Ramsey called the Superdome home during his college days at the University of Tulane. Clark told reporters that his dad has never left because of a hurricane in 20 years, but Katrina was so bad that he was bused out.
For Clark a little relief will reside over him knowing that all of his family has made it out safe, “The only thing I am worried about now is people getting back to their homes,” stated Clark.
Ramsey has family living in Ruston, La. which is far inland from where the heaviest of destruction hit, it’s almost like Katrina was trying to give Ramsey something less to think about. Ramsey already has a full plate in fighting for the starting quarterback spot with Mark Brunnell. Although, with old college friends of his (Ramsey) and his wife still living there, their thoughts and prayers will be with them. But Ramsey has a job to do. That job is to be named the starting quarterback and get this Washington Redskins offense ready for the season opener at home against the Chicago Bears next Sunday.
But your saying how can we be worried about football when so many people are suffering? Well we are Redskins fans and we suffer too. It’s the first time since Dan Snyder has taken over that we have a returning coaching staff. We have yet another season faced with a quarterback controversy; we have a new corps of receivers, and even a revamped offensive and defensive line. Don’t you see where we are going? We are removing ourselves from becoming the Aint’s of the 21st Century. Not to downplay the hurricane but, if the Redskins don’t have a winning season then the Washington area will have a crisis too. There won’t be enough paper bags to go around for every Redskins fan on fan appreciation day. That’s it, I have had it. I have seen enough people crying and even after last season wiped my own eyes more then once. So it’s up to you Ramsey to give us what we want. Give everyone back home and all of America something to smile about. I couldn’t bear to have to walk around with paper cuts on my face.
Craig Johnson can be reached at myterps34@yahoo.com |
