Have you ever been to a St. Louis Rams game? Have you ever seen them win? I would guess that most of you who have been to a Rams game did not even stay until the end.
Well, this is for the true Rams fans out there. First, let me explain my two experiences at the Edward Jones Dome. My first, last October, was at a game against the Seattle Seahawks, who have become a division rival of ours in the past few years. Naturally, I assumed that this was going to be a huge game for the NFC West standings. And while it was a good game, I walked away disappointed.
I was not disappointed in the Rams, with Head Coach Scott Linehan or even the team’s effort. I was disappointed with the atmosphere in the dome itself and with the fans. Part of the weak energy I blame on Rams’ management’s music choice. I cannot express how disappointing it is when the Rams score and you hear, “I don’t wanna work, I just wanna bang on my drums all day.” Really?
What’s even worse than the music choice, though, is the fact that the Rams are tradition-less. Let’s take a look around the league at other teams’ traditions. In Kansas City, Mo., at the end of the national anthem you won’t hear “And the home of the brave.” Instead, you will hear, “And the home of the Chiefs!”
No matter where you are in the Kansas City area, you can always hear those Chiefs fans in attendance when the “Star Spangled Banner” is played. After a touchdown there isn’t a wimpy little song. Instead, everyone goes nuts, gets on their feet and chants, “We’re gonna beat the hell out of you, and you, and you, and you, and you!”
In Cleveland, there is the “Dog Pound,” a section of seats behind the end zone that is very exclusive, where tickets are extremely hard to get. You have to either know somebody or be very rich just to snag a seat. Every time a Browns player scores a touchdown, he jumps into the Dog Pound, where he gets patted.
Denver has a similar tradition in that they have the Barrel Man, a fan who comes to each game (regardless of the weather) wearing nothing but a barrel. You will also find Thunder-the bronco ridden by a beautiful cowgirl after Bronco touchdowns. There’s also the “Mile-High” salute, a fight song after a touchdown.
But can you name a Rams tradition? I guess you could say yelling out “Bruce” whenever Isaac Bruce catches a pass is somewhat of a tradition, but what about when he retires?
Some of these problems could be easily fixed by the management, but they don’t seem interested in doing so. With all of these great NFL traditions out there, we can’t even have a stinkin’ fight song to sing after a touchdown?
What’s even worse than the lame music played after touchdowns is that the games take place inside a dome. Even though the setting is unique to St. Louis, I think this is undoubtedly the management’s biggest mistake. While the Edward Jones Dome is technically where the Rams play, is it really the home of the Rams?
One thing they need to do is leave the roof open for every game. If it is snowing outside, I want to see the players tackle each other in snow. If it’s raining outside, I want to see the players slide around in mud. But the Rams play on turf. The days of “the greatest show on turf” are undoubtedly over!
I can’t stand players’ uniforms being so clean after games. I can’t stand not seeing wet balls slip out of the hands of quarterbacks. I can’t stand not seeing the wind blowing field goals wide. I suppose Rams games will never be what I want them to be.
But when are Rams fans going to step it up and create some sort of tradition? Because if they do, it will create unity and most of all, pride.
I want a tradition that I can carry over and chant at other teams’ stadiums. I want a tradition that will lead people to say, “That is St. Louis football.” The Rams are still a fairly new team to the city, but let’s get started on this now.
