First off, let me explain to you what I am a fan of. Very simply, I am a Pennsylvania sports fan. What does that mean? Well, if it's a sports team in Pennsylvania, I root for them and I am diehard for them. Why? Because I love this state. I have lived in several parts of it, and I'll probably remain. I've been thinking of moving to the west coast for a few years, just because I do love west coast cities, I think they are awesome. But my heart is here, and always will be. So how does that translate into sports though? Well, family for one thing. My family is almost all Pennsylvania based, all the way back to my Irish ancenstors that immigrated here a long long long time ago (most came between 1840-1870, but I've traced the rest back to no earlier then the 1790's).
Growing up here, I learned to love the culture of Pennsylvania and it has always stuck with me. I was born in the suburbs of Philadelphia, moving into the city at around less then a year of age. When I was 9, I moved to Pittsburgh as my parents had their jobs moved there. By that time though, I was already a diehard Pennsylvania fan. What got me into it? Watching Penn State University win it all in 1986. I watched it with about 50 of my family members at my cousins house who then and still does reside in Williamsport. It was a big gathering that happened during the week of the championship. It wasn't the sole reason why we were there of course, but it was planned around it so we could all enjoy it as a family. After watching that game and being with my family, I vowed never to root for any team outside of Pennsylvania (as almost all my family has done in their history). I got into baseball and hockey shortly after, and basketball I usually enjoyed, but it's not really my thing. It's fun to watch and play, but I'm not a huge fan. Again though, PA rules apply. By the time I was 11, I had taken in so much knowledge of the Pennsylvania teams, almost all my autobiography reports for english classes were on sports players that played for the PA teams, and even more so, the book I chose I usually didn't read. I knew 'em that well.
So the knowledge I have of Pennsylvania sports and the players that have come from and/or played for this state and/or cities was astonishing to my teachers. Almost every relative I have has a room in the house dedicated the same way. black and gold, green and silver, red and white, black and orange....memorabilia from floor to ceiling. I now have my own room and it's already pretty full. I always find more room though, just takes me a while. Anyways, after I was about 16, I moved back to Philadelphia for a few more years before I went to college. Guess where I went....hehe, should be pretty easy. So whenever I wasn't living in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, I lived in the city that was the 3rd largest city in Pennsylvania during football weekends ;)
So now you might ask, why do I tend to so more favor to Philadelphia sports then Pittsburgh, it's because I currently live there. It's easier to be a fan of and close follower of the teams when you actually live in that area. I wish I had more Pittsburgh media access, but it's hard. Oh well, I get enough from the internet, it does me nicely. Well, it's time for lunch and I haven't had a cheesesteak in about 3 weeks. I'm starving. Peace.
Anyways, know you all know my story. What's yours?
