EDITOR'S NOTE:Texans fan Alan J. Burge will continue to write a "Voice of the Fan" column throughout
the 2005 season. His latest installment is below. Alan's views do not necessarily
reflect the views of the organization.
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"This isn't a make-or-break game, but it'll tell us a lot about our team."
I don't know about anyone else, but in my world when the CEO speaks, people usually listen.
Those words were spoken by Robert C. McNair, Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Houston Texans as he watched practice on Wednesday.
Well that just about sums it up, doesn't it?
We are listening Mr. McNair and we hear you. We are also watching with a keen eye. And I think most rational fans would agree with your statement that a loss on Sunday wouldn't be the end of the world provided of course, we see our team return from wherever they have been AWOL.
On September 6, 2000, you stood in front of us at the team name and uniform unveiling downtown and said "the team's name, logo and new uniforms reflect traits that make us proud to be Texans -- pride, strength, independence, courage and achievement."
To me and many other Texans fans, those are not just simple words. Those words form a key component of the vision for this franchise which describes what we are all about. We are proud to be Texans and we want to be perceived as strong, independent, courageous, and accomplished, on the football field and off. We bought in.
We are a patient lot, for the most part, but at the same time in this fourth season we are eager for the Texans to become the success that you and others have envisioned. We love this team and have made it part of our lives. The passion of our fans is unquestioned and was clearly evident in the emotional outpouring on radio talk shows, internet message boards, and newspapers following the second worst defeat a Houston team had ever suffered in Buffalo.
I know that the anger and frustration of Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, will give way to hope on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. I know it because I feel it, as do many others. Football fans are funny that way.
The bottom line for Texans fans is simple. All we will ever ask is that the team and the entire organization continue to uphold and demonstrate the tradition and vision you have set forth. A true Texan wouldn't accept less.
You can email Alan Burge at: aj_texans@yahoo.com
