via Chargers.com
I was commenting on Merriman’s return on the San Diego Union Tribune when I mentioned I”m happy he’s returning in part because with the departure of Tomlinson, I have a whole closet full of 21 jerseys I can’t wear anymore, so I’m glad I can work 56 back into the rotation. I was sort of joking, but unexpectedly, it started kind of a mini thread where other fans reacted. This was kind of cool, but also got me thinking.
There is definitely some truth there. At last count I think I’ve got three LT jerseys, two Gates, an old school official generic and a Merriman. This is, naturally, in addition to a dresser full of t-shirts of all sorts.
For me the jersey rotation is usually a game day decision. Since I have a combination of powder blues, white and dark blue – the decision sometimes is based on what the players are wearing for the game. Also, there might be a particular story with a player.
When the season starts it’s more random. I used to go pretty much with the LT. If there’s a fumble by the Chargers, or interception really early, I’ll change jerseys right away. This is to inspire momentum. When the Chargers are winning, even if they have some troubles, I’ll stick with the same jersey. If they lose a blow-out that jersey immediately banished. Some for the season. If the Chargers lose a game that could go either way, the jersey I wore will be knocked to the back of the rotation.
When the Chargers win I’ll stick with the same jersey. Last year, I didn’t change too many times, but for some come from behind wins I had to pull out the rotation. I’ve worn as many as six different jerseys in a close game and gone at least six games, in some seasons, where I wore the same jersey. I also will not wash a winning jersey.
When it’s been “one of those games” where the Chargers can do no right. I’ll just ditch the jersey and wear my game-day t-shirt. That shirt is always the same and if it’s getting close to game time and I can’t find it – release the Kracken, because I’ll rip the house apart looking for it.
I can only make it to one or two games a year because I live in LA and I am just not able to get to the stadium as much as I’d like. Since I can’t bring a closet into the stadium, I’ll wear the jersey that has the best track record.
Other than that there aren’t many game day rituals except… I always get up early on game-day and figgit around the house. Usually, I’ll watch the early pre-shows. Jersey comes on usually about 15 minutes before kick-off. I have a sound track that’s a combination of the San Diego Super-Chargers song and part of an Eminem song that I play after every Charger TD (sorry field goals, it’s all about the six). I also usually play at the end of a game. Anyway, I’ll test the ipod before the game and make sure the song is loaded and ready. Next, I turn on the Charger 3d holograph lamp and sit in the game chair. The most obnoxious ritual is that I make sure I’m sitting in the game chair for every play. This leads to a lot of running when coverage comes out of a break early.
Sound crazy? There’s probably a lot of fans with a lot more crazy than that. I’m superstitious to a fault when it comes to the Bolts. Does my game-day OCD help influence the outcome? All I”m saying is, there’s been a lot of times where I’ve changed a jersey during a desperate stretch and the Chargers will get a fumble or interception in their favor. Who’s gonna mess with that? Either way, it makes me feel like I have something to do with the game – so it works for me.
