It’s not you, St. Louis, it’s them.
Having spent my college years in Missouri, I’ve seen firsthand how emotionally invested sports fans in the Show-Me State are. As much as Chicago fans love to hate St. Louis, even Cubs fans have to admire the Cardinals’ ability to restock their roster even after high-profile players like Albert Pujols jump ship. Same goes for the fact that the Rams have won a Super Bowl in the past two decades while the Bears’ drought hits its third.
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The Cardinals’ reach even extends well into Illinois, as anyone who has traveled south of Interstate 80 in the Land of Lincoln can attest, proving that state borders can’t contain franchise loyalty.
That’s why watching the Rams move to Los Angeles is like seeing your brother lose a beloved pet. Yes, Chicago fans tease St. Louis die-hards about jorts and strange pizza traditions. But it’s not as if there is a virtual lock on the United Center when you come to cheer on the Blues, unlike what a certain team in Tennessee has done with the Blackhawks.
True, Chicago fans would find it difficult to relate to the gut punch of a major sports franchise leaving town. The only similar circumstance in recent memory is when the White Sox had one foot on the plane to St. Petersburg, Fla., in 1988. Coincidentally, that’s about the same time the St. Louis (football) Cardinals, a former Chicago franchise, moved to Arizona. Given St. Louis’ tortured history, it’s a wonder the entire fan base hasn’t joined a support group along with Cleveland and Seattle.
I’m happy for the football fans in Los Angeles, though I’m skeptical that a metropolitan area that could not hold on to either of its two franchises is ready to fully embrace a team this time, either. Try not to screw this up—again—L.A.
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, for his part, says he has no interest in courting another NFL franchise. Maybe it’s better that way, to pour your faith into the franchises that appreciate their fans.
Just resist any urge to blame yourselves, St. Louisans. Let go of any anger you have toward the Rams’ billionaire owner looking out for his bottom line. It will only make you bitter, and that’s not a good look on any fan. Chin up, and we’ll see you in the playoffs.
Chris Sosa is RedEye’s sports editor. @redeyesportschi