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- Dec 22, 2015
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- John
As the draft approaches, and the debate about the Rams first overall pick rages on, one detail stands out for me regarding one of the quarterback candidates. A little backdrop...
I don't know about the majority of you, but when I was a boy the horns hooked me for life. I became a Rams fan because my dad was a Rams fan in the early 1970s. And Jack Snow and Harold Jackson became quick early favorites. I think my dad even hung a John Hadl poster above my bed. ( *Historical note: I may have used the same tacks a few years later to hang my Farrah Faucet poster.) :shades:
I loved Youngblood and Olson. My dad told me about Roman Gabriel.- missed him by a few years. Loved Dave Elmendorf, then later Nolan Cromwell became a favorite DB.
The point is: I was a Ram. No turning back. Flash forward. We move to Northern California. A few years prior to Montana/Walsh. I wasn't about to switch alegience to the "Whiners".
"Three tickets, please," became my dad's yearly refrain, as he walked up to the Candlestick ticket booth, donning his Rams cap. From 1974-1984 this was our ritual. In the early years, we would glance at the passing Niner attendees, in their usual funeral attire. "Don't laugh at them son. It's not polite." Dad would invariably chide me. "Ten dollars apiece, the ticket booth lady would respond." Dollar for parking. {sigh}
(I couldn't help myself. I was probably snickering. Knowing those Niner empty souled fans were about to be served a healthy portion of Lawrence McCutcheon ground chuck. At least they could wash it down with their energy drink-Nolan Cromwell Pick-6. :snicker: I digress.)
My dad, younger brother and I would then walk through the Niner stench to our seats. (Little did I know, my little brother, we'll call him, "bandwagon boy" would become a Whiner fan. He still wets the bed, and has my mom cut the crust off his sandwiches)
Back to our story: It would another decade before a young Jared Goff was born, about 20 miles north of Candlestick, while I grew up 20 miles south. He would miss the Niner dynasty of the '80s and mid '90s but catch tales of Joe Montana from his dad, just as I did of Roman Gabriel from mine.
Jared Goff would play catcher at a rival Catholic school to mine. I played catcher years earlier against his school. A young Tom Brady played catcher 11 years after me for my school.ukeOne of the 3 of us lacked the skills to move up to the next level)
Goff played quarterback as well. And wore #16 for his hero, Joe Montana. He would wear that number at Cal Berkeley as well. He may ask the equipment manager on his new NFL team for the same number....
No doubt all football players grow up idolizing favotite teams and players. Aaron Donald grew up a huge Steelers fan. He's a Ram now. You just strap it on.
But is this a little different? Does this affect who any of you guys want to see in horns? I'm curious.
After all, there would be something ironic about seeing a #16 on our quarterbacks back. And knowing...
I don't know about the majority of you, but when I was a boy the horns hooked me for life. I became a Rams fan because my dad was a Rams fan in the early 1970s. And Jack Snow and Harold Jackson became quick early favorites. I think my dad even hung a John Hadl poster above my bed. ( *Historical note: I may have used the same tacks a few years later to hang my Farrah Faucet poster.) :shades:
I loved Youngblood and Olson. My dad told me about Roman Gabriel.- missed him by a few years. Loved Dave Elmendorf, then later Nolan Cromwell became a favorite DB.
The point is: I was a Ram. No turning back. Flash forward. We move to Northern California. A few years prior to Montana/Walsh. I wasn't about to switch alegience to the "Whiners".
"Three tickets, please," became my dad's yearly refrain, as he walked up to the Candlestick ticket booth, donning his Rams cap. From 1974-1984 this was our ritual. In the early years, we would glance at the passing Niner attendees, in their usual funeral attire. "Don't laugh at them son. It's not polite." Dad would invariably chide me. "Ten dollars apiece, the ticket booth lady would respond." Dollar for parking. {sigh}
(I couldn't help myself. I was probably snickering. Knowing those Niner empty souled fans were about to be served a healthy portion of Lawrence McCutcheon ground chuck. At least they could wash it down with their energy drink-Nolan Cromwell Pick-6. :snicker: I digress.)
My dad, younger brother and I would then walk through the Niner stench to our seats. (Little did I know, my little brother, we'll call him, "bandwagon boy" would become a Whiner fan. He still wets the bed, and has my mom cut the crust off his sandwiches)
Back to our story: It would another decade before a young Jared Goff was born, about 20 miles north of Candlestick, while I grew up 20 miles south. He would miss the Niner dynasty of the '80s and mid '90s but catch tales of Joe Montana from his dad, just as I did of Roman Gabriel from mine.
Jared Goff would play catcher at a rival Catholic school to mine. I played catcher years earlier against his school. A young Tom Brady played catcher 11 years after me for my school.
ukeOne of the 3 of us lacked the skills to move up to the next level)Goff played quarterback as well. And wore #16 for his hero, Joe Montana. He would wear that number at Cal Berkeley as well. He may ask the equipment manager on his new NFL team for the same number....
No doubt all football players grow up idolizing favotite teams and players. Aaron Donald grew up a huge Steelers fan. He's a Ram now. You just strap it on.
But is this a little different? Does this affect who any of you guys want to see in horns? I'm curious.
After all, there would be something ironic about seeing a #16 on our quarterbacks back. And knowing...
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