When did you become a Redskins fan and why?

[SkinFan63]

Hello all. I'm not exactly a newbie, I've been here awhile, just haven't posted alot. I got bannished from ExtremeSkins.com for making my signature 2 pixils too big. Oh, and I got into it with one of their admins for questioning my loyalty to the team. Funny thing is, he was from Canada. Now don't get me wrong, I love Skins fans from everywhere, but if your twenty years younger then me, and you get into my face about team loyalty, you better be from the USA. And more importantly, you should have your facts straight. Back to the point, considering how lowsy the last two weeks have been, I thought I'd change the subject slightly and ask you all: When did you become Redskins fans and why? My dad , I believe was a Baltimore Colts fan. I was 6 and for Christmas that year I got the viberating football game. Any of you remember that? A steel football field, plastic Colts and Jets players, that you adjusted the fins under their bases to make them viberate in the direction you wanted them to go? Yeah, that was real exciting. After he died, his best friend turned me onto the Browns. I even had a huge autographed poster of Leroy Kelly. I loved watching Leroy run the ball. He was an inspiration to me that I'll never forget. Then came the '72-73 Superbowl......Redskins vs Dolphions. The Redskins were underdogs, and I've always rooted for the under dogs so I pulled for them. They lost 14-7 and for some strange reason, I've been a diehard fan every since. Larry Brown, Roy Jefferson, Charlie Taylor.......those memories will always be with me. The 80's superbowls, the 90's superbowl. I'm a part of history unlike most other NFL teams. Gibbs session-1, years of misery, Gibbs session-2 and now Jim Zorn. I love Jim Zorn. He is the breath of fresh air we have needed for some time.
I believe Gibbs session-2 turned us around and made us respectable again, and Zorn has something to build on, and make better. Now I've been bitching about disappointments this season just like alot of you, but overall, I'm happy. You may not know it from some of my posts, but I am. I see a bright future with Zorn. Play-offs this year? Maybe. But the long term looks better to me then ever before. I believe Zorn will be here for a long time, and will build a team worthy of Gibbs session-1.
Time for a few cold beers!
Hail Skins!

[frankcal20]

......Just a note....the owner of this site if from Canada and he's a pretty cool dude. Just a few things, don't attack other posters just the post itself. Don't cuss and you will be good to go. As for megapix's and what not, out of my league.

I have been a Skins fan for 30 years...birth.... I have always been a Skins fan and will always be a skins fan.

[SkinFan63]

......Just a note....the owner of this site if from Canada and he's a pretty cool dude. Just a few things, don't attack other posters just the post itself. Don't cuss and you will be good to go. As for megapix's and what not, out of my league.

I have been a Skins fan for 30 years...birth.... I have always been a Skins fan and will always be a skins fan.

Thanks for the heads up. I didn't attack anyone here, just a lame duck from another site. I love Canada, just not the idiot from ExtremeSkins,com. I love this place and Boss Hog seems pretty cool.
Did I cuss? I didn't think so, but if I did, I'm sorry.
A Skins fan of 34 years and counting.

[jbxrocker23]

Hey, long time watcher, first time poster here. Normally I like to stand on the sidelines and watch as you all post, but this seems like a good first topic to contribute to.

For me, my journey to becoming a Redskins fan is kind of a long and storied one.

The year was 1992, I was 4 years old. The Dallas Cowgirls and the Buffalo Bills are playing in the Superbowl. I watched with shock as Troy Aikman and his group of starry-helmeted athletes racked up 52 points to the Bills 17. My father was a victim of the "America's Team" syndrome, and thus rooted for the Cowboys, and my mother, always the supporter of the underdog, cheered vehemently for the Bills. I was caught in the middle. I sided with mom, and for the duration of the Superbowl, really disliked Troy Aikman (... still don't like him). Thus started my hatred of the cowboys (which is at the core of every real skins fan )

My mom's been a skins fan her entire life, her family has been skins fans since moving here from Italy.

The defining moment was on a visit to my Uncle's house in Virginia. He had Redskins seat covers, Redskins glasses, Redskins footballs, Redskins everything. The guy was a die hard fan until the day he died, and until he died, we never missed a game when we were over his house. He taught me about the important stuff, specifically, The Washington Redskins. I was sold, and I guess if I had to put a time on it, it was this moment in my life that I really became a fan.

And as I got older, I began following the team more closely, specifically this one free safety with a penchant for lighting up opposing teams. To me, no one had ever shown me the heart, the spirit, and the love for the game that the late Sean Taylor did. I like to think he really personified the Redskins for me, and further cemented my love for this team.

I'm excited for what Jim Zorn is bringing to our team. Here's to hoping I can find something to say for other threads, and !

[VetSkinsFan]

I was born and raised in northern VA, mostly Fairfax County. My mother was a die hard Redskins fans. I was fortunate to meet The Hogs when I was kid. God, can you imagine how huge Joe Jacoby was when you're ~6 yo?

My mother was a manager at the VA ABC store in Herndon, VA, in the early-mid 90s in Herndon,VA. She met various Redskins while she was there. She even got a Redskins jacket from Carl banks with his name embroidered in the sleeve from him. I can remember my father (closet Redkins fans) antagonizing my mother whenthe Redskins were not playing so well; he'd rib her so much that she's go to her room and watch the game. I didn't have a TV in my room, so I had to endure my father's frustration with the skins.

I followed the skins until '96 when I went in to the Army. God has a cruel sense of humor since I believe he had a direct hand in having a Redskins fan stationed at Ft Hood, TX (less than 2 hrs from the hated Cowboys) TWICE.

After I got out in '05, I'm back in northern VA and follow my beloved skins meticulously. I was fortunate to have missed the era between Gibbs 1.0 and Gibbs 2.0, but my fandom never waivered. I am passionate about my skins and frustration gets the better of me. But know this, I bleed burgundy and gold through and through.

[ATX_Skins]

I dont think i ever had the option of being another fan... dad was a skins fan, so naturally i was too.

[redskindave]

It was 1969 I was 11 years old, A friend of mine liked the Cowboys, Well I decided to like the Redskins just to be different, After collecting Redskins cards and whatever else i could find it stuck, Now its almost 40 years later and Im just as big a fan now as ever, And now I have a Son and a Daughter that are following in my footsteps, They too are Redskin fans, As for that friend, I still hear or run into him from time to time, He's still a Cowboy fan, Anyway Thats how it all started for me back in 1969

[Bob 0119]

I don't remember exactly when I became a Redskins fan. It was early, maybe mid-eighties.

My dad was a Redskins fan, and I just gradually started watching it (I guess I was eight, maybe nine years old)

Dad wasn't a fanatical fan, and was very much like some of the pessimsts here (often saying that the Redskins would probably lose, even though they had the lead at the half). Dad's belief during Gibbs I was that if the 'Skins were winning at the half, they'd lose. If they were losing at the half, Gibbs would turn 'em around.

I was 13 when I made my first bet on the Redskins. Some of you may remember a little game versus the Broncos in the Super Bowl. I bet my cousin $5 (a ton of money considering the $1 per week allowance I was getting from my parents) on the game and remember him mocking me when Denver was up by 10 points.

He never paid me my money, but I guess I've been a die hard fan ever since.

[Deadskins]

I was born at George Washington Memorial Hospital in DC. My father had season tickets. I've never not been a Redskins fan.

[aswas71788]

In mid 1945, my Father asked me if I would like to go with him to meet a football player that he had a meeting with. I really was not that excited about it but said yes, more out of curiosity than anything. My Father took me to meet Turk Edwards, who was an assistant coach and the head coach of the Redskins within a few months. I was 10 years old and meeting him is still one of the most memorable days of my life. I have been a diehard Redskins since that day.

[NJ-SKINS-FAN]

growing up in NJ my dad is a giants fan (not die hard) he did not "make" me a giants fan....

I always liked teams based on uni's (still a uni guy to this day and will be to the day i die) so i did not have a clear cut team at age 6....cheered for the chargers (liked the bolts on the pants, and the yellow in the uni) and the packers (big fan of the yellow)

Than in 1982 the Redskins were playing the cowgirls in the NFC Championship, and my dad and i watched the game. I was cheering for the redskins for 2 reasons:

1) i like the skins uni better. (hello yellow)

and most importantly

2) my dad was a big fan of the show "F-Troop", it was a spoof on the cowboys and indians and the cowboys always out smarted the indians and won the battle on the show.

so.......I wanted the "indians" as I called them then, to win because they always lost on the show, they did win. than again on TV cause in the superbowl against the dolphins..... the next year i was always asking my dad if the Indians/Redskins won every sunday...and in 1983 they won alot so it sunk me deeper into the love of skins nation.....

"F-Troop" thats right hahahahahahaha

[JansenFan]

Unlike Matthew McConoughey, who likes the Redskins because they had Chris Hanburger and he likes Hamburgers, I was born into it. My Grandfather grew up in D.C., my grandmother grew up in Montgomery County, and that's just the way it was. I remember knowing to hate the Cowboys before I can actually remember and specific Redskin plays or players.

My first Redskin memory is from January '83. "Daddy, whose that guy wearing number 77 and running funny into the end zone?" Then the Super Bowl, with "The Run." I've been hooked ever since.

Like Vet, I missed most of '93-'97 being in the Marines. Since being discharged, I've lived, breathed and bled B&G.

[MDSKINSFAN]

I dont think i ever had the option of being another fan... dad was a skins fan, so naturally i was too.

Same here... My dad, grandfather, and great grandfather were all Skins fans so i followed and I always will be a Skins fan. I dont even think I would like sports if it werent for the Skins. I support all the DC teams because of the Skins for some reason

[The Dancing Bear]

I became a Redskins fan at the tender age of 8 years old, when in 1970 my Mother took me to a see and shake the hand of Larry Brown. I was mesmerized by his gentleness, and his hands were huge, with scars on them, and very soft. My Mom loved the "Skins, and I have been a fan ever since.

[tribeofjudah]

Having arrived from the Philippines in 1977, I was 9 yrs old. I watched every Sunday with my brothers - this fantastic game called Football. Didn't know what it was all about, but it looked fun. Me and the bros then bought a wall poster of the NFL teams, layed out in conference and divisions. The 3 of us asked each other to pick a team from each division:

I can still remember my choices: Redskins (Indian head logo just jumped out at me), Vikings, the Pats, Oilers, Falcons, the Chiefs. There were only 3 divisions each conference back then.

My brothers picked the Bengals, Dolphins, etc......

Well, long story short..... I dumped the rest and STUCK WITH THE SKINS. I have always liked the warrior spirit of the native Americans, the underdog during the cowboy/indian tv films.....

Not to mention that my favorite color is RED....

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[SkinFan63]

Having arrived from the Philippines in 1977, I was 9 yrs old. I watched every Sunday with my brothers - this fantastic game called Football. Didn't know what it was all about, but it looked fun. Me and the bros then bought a wall poster of the NFL teams, layed out in conference and divisions. The 3 of us asked each other to pick a team from each division:

I can still remember my choices: Redskins (Indian head logo just jumped out at me), Vikings, the Pats, Oilers, Falcons, the Chiefs. There were only 3 divisions each conference back then.

My brothers picked the Bengals, Dolphins, etc......

Well, long story short..... I dumped the rest and STUCK WITH THE SKINS. I have always liked the warrior spirit of the native Americans, the underdog during the cowboy/indian tv films.....

Not to mention that my favorite color is RED....

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Those are awesome stories. Really gives more meaning to why we are here, at this place, and time, rooting for the Washington Redskins!
Hail!

[Fios]

My dad moved to Arlington, VA, after college in the early '70s, he had followed the team when he lived in West Virginia and became a permanent fan when he moved. My first bedroom was painted burgundy and gold. I lived outside the Redskins viewing area from 1983-94 (including spending 90-94 outside Dallas) but have been a diehard fan my entire life.

[KazooSkinsFan]

My dad moved to Arlington, VA, after college in the early '70s, he had followed the team when he lived in West Virginia and became a permanent fan when he moved. My first bedroom was painted burgundy and gold. I lived outside the Redskins viewing area from 1983-94 (including spending 90-94 outside Dallas) but have been a diehard fan my entire life.

So out of curiosity, why are you a Cleveland fan in other sports?

[tribeofjudah]

Having arrived from the Philippines in 1977, I was 9 yrs old. I watched every Sunday with my brothers - this fantastic game called Football. Didn't know what it was all about, but it looked fun. Me and the bros then bought a wall poster of the NFL teams, layed out in conference and divisions. The 3 of us asked each other to pick a team from each division:

I can still remember my choices: Redskins (Indian head logo just jumped out at me), Vikings, the Pats, Oilers, Falcons, the Chiefs. There were only 3 divisions each conference back then.

My brothers picked the Bengals, Dolphins, etc......

Well, long story short..... I dumped the rest and STUCK WITH THE SKINS. I have always liked the warrior spirit of the native Americans, the underdog during the cowboy/indian tv films.....

Not to mention that my favorite color is RED....

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Those are awesome stories. Really gives more meaning to why we are here, at this place, and time, rooting for the Washington Redskins!
Hail!

YES BROTHER.......HAIL..!!!

[stacylee12]

My stepmother's from Northern Virgina and when we moved to Woodbridge (Prince WM County) in December of 1982, we would go watch the games with her family on Sunday. They were of course all huge fans and I even remember some Great Uncle or something died and apparently had season tickets and honestly I thought someone was going to get killed fighting over them...

Anyway, I was a Freshman in HS and we were actually staying in a hotel on Route 1 while our house was being built and we watched the Super Bowl at Grandma's and then were kept awake all night by the cars driving up and down Route 1, honking and carrying on...

I got hooked and so did my Dad and we've been 'Skins fans since even though he moved to South Carolina and I have been in Austin, TX (Cowboy Country) since 1989.

I blame my politics, my fandom and my musical tastes on spending my formative years in Northern Virigina in the late 80s. (Excuse me while I slip into my burgundy and gold PJs, put on a little Bon Jovi and curl up to another Reagan biography).

[chiefhog44]

Not sure when...always I think. My dad didn't make enough money to take me to the games at RFK, so we would stand outside the gates until the third quarter when they would open the gates and we would walk right in and watch the last quarter together. He was a packers fan though...still is, but he knows good football, and that's why we went.

Reminds me, he took me to Joe Thiesman's autograph session at some shopping mall in the 80's and I got an autograph from him. Can't remember much of it, but memories none the less.

[KazooSkinsFan]

My dad moved to Arlington, VA, after college in the early '70s, he had followed the team when he lived in West Virginia and became a permanent fan when he moved. My first bedroom was painted burgundy and gold. I lived outside the Redskins viewing area from 1983-94 (including spending 90-94 outside Dallas) but have been a diehard fan my entire life.

So out of curiosity, why are you a Cleveland fan in other sports?

As for me, we've covered this in prior forums on the subject of how we all became Skins fans, but I lived in Michigan until I was 13 and when I moved to DC area. Hating the Cowboys and moving to a City where the team WASN'T the Lions was easy. I still like the rest of the Detroit teams though, like you follow the Cleveland teams. So are you originally from Cleveland?

[Sir_Monk]

I got hooked and so did my Dad and we've been 'Skins fans since even though he moved to South Carolina and I have been in Austin, TX (Cowboy Country) since 1989.

I lived near Austin for four years. I never got a big Cowboys vibe from the people there, they all seemed much more intrested in UT. Though it could have had something to do with the Vince Young years. [/code]

[redskins14ru]

when I was born!

[redskins14ru]

in west Virginia were I was born we all loved redskins football and the hogs. My pop warner team was the redskins everything was redskins. Gibbs and the redskins on monday nights growing up was a favorite. I was lucky to get to see Joe Gibbs coach a second time around. After relocating to San Diego I was also blessed to move next door to A redskins special teams coaches ex and his daughter and got to meet coach Sevier personally one time I was good friends and school mates with and hung out with annie alot. I am and will always be an avid redskins fan. games attended 89 at rams : (LA), 90 at Raiders , 2001 at San Fran, 2003 at San Diego and 2004 at San Fran
Hail to the skins :