Will I Become an Eagles Fan?

With the NFL Draft scheduled to take place tomorrow night, and the world, the state of Michigan, the city of Detroit, a few people I know wondering what the Lions will do with the second pick, I thought I'd answer one of the most common questions people have asked me since I announced we'd be moving to Philadelphia to plant a new church.

Will I become an Eagles fan?

There are a few arguments people have offered as to why I should become an Eagles fan.

• The Lions are losers argument: This is a weak argument. If I was going to switch my allegiance simply because the Lions aren't competitive, I would have done it about 25 years ago.
• The missiology argument: Doesn't a missionary seek to understand the culture and adapt values that are important to the people he's seeking to reach? This argument, admittedly, is better than the first.
• The parenting argument: When you have one child you don't think you'd ever have the capacity to love another child in the same way. Yet, parents who have additional children don't love the first any less. Their love simply expands. This is probably the best argument I've heard.

But still, here's my struggle.

For me, following a team is not a business transaction or missional strategy. It's a relationship. So I don't know how to make an intellectual decision to love another team.

I love the Pistons because I grew up attending games at the Palace with my dad. I still remember watching Vinnie Johnson hit the game winner at the buzzer to bury the Trailblazers for a second straight NBA Championship. 

I love the Lions because I grew up watching Barry Sanders embarrass helpless defenders in the open field. I still remember watching him break 2,000 yards in a single season at the Silverdome.

I love the Red Wings because I grew up watching Yzerman and the Russian Five bring the Stanley Cup back to Hockeytown. I still remember ordering pizza during late playoff games, making up a Red Wings special, and getting it.

So will I become an Eagles fan?

Probably...but not because I make an intellectual decision to try and reach people or switch to a better franchise. I'll become an Eagles fan the same way I became a Lion's fan.

I'll watch a game winning drive with my son. I'll get caught up in the excitement of a city championship. I'll stay up late watching a playoff game roll into overtime.

And I'll fall in love.

Comments

[Deneen]

Don't do it Brad! The Eagles will only bring you heartache and pain. Eagles fans will bring you a lot of entertainment, though...they may be the most passionate group of fans in the NFL.

I'm a Patriots fan in Philadelphia. The only people who are more hated than I am in this town are Cowboys fans.

Just my two cents :)

[Rich Jones]

Do it, Brad. Just drink the kool-ade...drink it in DEEP.