Getting Over the St. Louis Rams: 5 Things You Can Do
What can we do to deal with the loss of the St. Louis Rams, the NFL team that called our city home for the past 21 seasons?
Let’s admit it. We knew it was coming.
Even if we showed optimism on the surface, deep down we knew the Rams were leaving St. Louis. This is not unlike the ending of a relationship. It’s over, we have accepted reality and it’s now time to pick up the pieces and move on. But how? May I suggest five ways to get over that team that left us.
1. Block, Mute, Repeat
With social media and the intrusiveness of a 24/7 sports news cycle, getting over the relocation can be difficult. When the football Cardinals left for the desert in 1987, one would have had to physically pick up a newspaper or watch the news to see any coverage of the Cardinals’ arrival in Arizona. This time around, we find it thrust into our timelines and notifications without a second’s warning. Seeing news coming out of L.A. has been painful at best. Update your favorite teams in your sports apps, mute or block the word “Rams” on twitter. If you’re like me you have built friendships on social media based on the Rams. No matter how hard it is, it’s probably time to move on. You probably wouldn’t stay friends with the friends of your ex, no matter how much you liked them.
2. Laugh
In the last 10 years the Rams were at best below average and at worst…well they were the worst. But good news, it’s not our problem anymore! Fans in L.A. are already clamoring about the Rams’ woes and the ink on the relocation papers hasn’t even dried yet. Hey L.A., they’re all yours…12 consecutive non-winning seasons and all. Joke’s on you!
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3. Pick a New Team
Hey it’s the playoffs!! You haven’t had a team of your own to root for in the playoffs since 2004. Adopt one! Sure, it might be a rebound, but don’t feel guilty, as it’s a good distraction from what’s going on, and who knows, maybe you’ll stick with that team in the future. There are bandwagons aplenty, jump onboard!
4. The Old Standbys
Like most St. Louisians, the Cards and Blues were born here and will stay here.
While college basketball in our region looks downright dreadful, the Blues are heading into the second half of their season and the Cardinals are on the cusp of spring training. Let’s face it, these are OUR teams. Like most St. Louisians, the Cards and Blues were born here and will stay here. The Blues 4-2 win over the Devils last Tuesday was a perfect distraction from the news of the move. Both teams are waiting, with arms wide open.
5. College Football
Just as is true in relationships, emotions can come back the instant something reminds us of what was lost. No matter what we do now to get over this, we know that come August, when training camp would normally begin, things could get bumpy. Fear not…college football is here to save! Many would argue that college football is currently a better product than the NFL. If you have been stubborn to jump on the college bandwagon, this is the perfect time.
Mizzou has a different head coach
for the first time in 20 years. The SEC, Mizzou’s home, is the premier league in college football and games are on every Saturday for twelve hours. It’s really doesn’t get much better than that.
Time heals all wounds, and we will get over this together. But make it easier on yourself, the Rams don’t deserve your mourning anyway. Time to move on!