Almost Impossible!

Yesterday I attended the first round of the playoffs: UM Grizzlies V. SDSU Jackrabbits. My mom and I scored some great tickets in the North Endzone right between the uprights while my dad and husband sat in their normal season ticket holding seats. I would like to say that I have ALWAYS been a Griz, but the truth is, I didn't know they existed until my family moved here in '96. But once I met the Griz it was love at first sight and I've been a fan ever since. I would also like to say that I've been a fan through thick and thin, but as long as I've been a Griz there's never really been a thin. I think the worst it's ever been is losing out in the first round of the playoffs one or two years. I would however like to believe that no matter what happens, I'm a Griz. Like most of the Missoula population we "bleed silver and marroon." I've seen the Griz win by the skin of their teeth a few times. They seem to be more of a second half team, which often leaves fans on the edge of their seats right down to the last seconds of the game. Yesterday was no exception. The Griz went into halftime down by three touchdowns. I don't often lose faith in my team. I often have to remind other fans that we are Griz no matter what, even if they do allow turnovers, even if there are penalties, even if we are down. I am sorry to say that yesterday I had my doubts. My mom and I took our seats in the third quarter and after watching SDSU score ANOTHER touch down I shared my thoughts. I said, "Mom, I know it's doable, but I just don't know how they're going to do it." And my mom, the most positive person I know, said to me, "Kyra, all they have to do is score one touch down every 5 minutes and they will win." Just like that. And with all the odds against them, that's exactly what my Grizzlies did. They came back from a 28 point deficit to defeat the Jackrabbits and move on to the next round. And as I watched them claw and fight their way back I also watched the crowd come out of a funk. Before I knew it, the crowd that was so silent in the first half, came alive. As this happened, I caught myself wondering something I have often wondered before, "What is it about being a fan?" I say I LOVE the Griz and I do, but I don't actually KNOW any of the Griz players. I say they are MY team and they are, but I don't OWN them, I don't COACH them. So what is it. What is it that conects me and thousands of other fans to the Grizzlies? Is it the feeling that if our team wins, we also somehow win? Is it the idea that even if nothing else is going right the Grizzlies will still take the field? Are we living vicariously through our team, thinking of all the things we could have been in our lives? Or is it just being part of something bigger than ourselves? The idea that maybe, just maybe we also can do the impossible? Even after pondering I don't know what it is, but I'm glad to say that I'm a Griz...through thick and thin I will always be a Griz.