Everybody who knows me knows that I eat, sleep and breath Cleveland sports. My bedroom at home in Wapakoneta, Ohio is decorated with autographs and memorabilia. My pride and joy is my autographed Joe Haden jersey, mostly because, unlike the majority of the players whose autographs I've received, he remains on the team (and for a lot longer I hope).
Anybody who knows Cleveland, or anybody who knows anything about sports, knows that Cleveland is a sad city. Our football stadium is nicknamed the "Factory of Sadness" for crying out loud. But I have been to more Browns games than some kids come to class these days.
In Cleveland, there is a lot of failure. The Cavs had a rough four-year span following Lebron's departure. The Browns continually mess everything up and the Indians struggle to fill Progressive Field.
Despite all of the failure and heartbreak that comes with being a Cleveland fan, there comes plenty of hope, pride and joy.
Being a Cleveland fan is more than just being a loser in the eyes of everyone around you. Being a Cleveland fan is being optimistic and hopeful even when all the odds are stacked against you.
Being a Cleveland fan is essentially watching the Titanic over and over again, hoping that maybe one day, the boat won't sink. If we are talking about Cleveland and sinking boats, maybe the Edmund Fitzgerald is a more appropriate ship.
Being a Cleveland fan is more than just a decision. (A poor decision in the eyes of everyone in Cincinnati.) Being a Cleveland fan is a way of life. Cleveland fans are not as uneducated as others would like to believe. Cleveland fans are going to tough it out through everything until the end.
Cleveland fans will take a lot of heat no matter what we do. After Lebron left for the warm South Beach, we wanted no association with him. Dan Gilbert penned a letter explaining our displeasure, everyone burned their jerseys and we booed him at every opportunity.
Nobody loves Cleveland more than Lebron. Akron, Cleveland and the rest of Northeast Ohio shaped him into the man that he is. Lebron knows the struggle. Lebron knows the heartache that we endure, but unlike any writer for ESPN or any Sportscaster for Sportscenter, Lebron has walked with us barefoot across a path of nails.
Lebron said, "In Northeast Ohio, nothing is given. Everything is earned. You work for what you have."
You know, through everything -- thick and thin -- I can honestly say that there is one silver lining to being on this side of Lake Erie. Today, I got to watch both the Cavaliers and the Indians. This reminded me of an old video I used to love.
"Cleveland: at least we're not Detroit!"
