I recently wrote a blog about the first hockey game that my father brought me to. In 1968, Dad took me to see the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. There was never any doubt what team we were going to root for and which club we wanted to win. When I was growing up it was very clear what my dad’s favorite teams were. It was also very simple what teams his children were instructed to follow. It was never more evident during a fall Sunday afternoon while the family was watching football. My brother foolishly asked if we could watch some of the Green Bay Packers game. My father yelled loud enough to startle Y. A. Tittle, “This is a Giants house!”
By the way, if my brother got permission to see the Packers game, there was no remote in those days. I was the remote. My father would tell me to get up and change the channel. I would have to pick up the pliers from atop the television (the plastic knob had been lost) and turn the metal piece to get one of the 5 available channels. Forget about UHF channels, they were a fuzzy mystery. Sometimes, I would have to stand next to the TV during the game holding the rabbit ears to get better reception.
Growing up, I never imagined defying my father and picking a different favorite team than his beloved squads. That is why it is so shocking what is happening in my house.
It all started with football when my son, Kian, announced he was a Broncos fan. I sort of understand him being a traitor. He was born in Colorado and when we spend time viewing football we always watch the Broncos. I take him to Mile High Stadium to see Broncos games every season. So, I get it. It is hard to accept, but I understand.
Now, Benedict Arnold has gone too far. He lives in a nice house, thanks in large measure to the Colorado Avalanche. He has clothes on his back and gets to eat because of the Avs. He is more than willing to take Avalanche tickets to watch games in person. He even pretends to enjoy sitting next to me in the television booth at the Avalanche home games.
Kian’s favorite player is Ian Laperriere. Ian was always nice to him and would even skate with him after Avalanche practices. Kian’s heart was broken when Lappy left to play for the Philadelphia Flyers. Then the unexpected happened. Kian became a Flyers fan. Philly is now his favorite team. He knows about every player and reads their box scores every morning. It is killing me.
I try to be a good father, so I do things that will make him happy. I recently was at the NHL store in New York purchasing Philadelphia Flyer merchandise for Christmas presents. I felt like a teenager buying cigarettes at the convenience store. As I was waiting in line to buy a Flyers hat and a Flyers shirt, I kept waiting for a tap on my shoulder. I thought I would turn around and see someone from Avalanche management shaking his head in disappointment.
I have accepted my son going against me. I understand he has to make his own decisions, even if different from mine. But, if he ever comes home in a Red Wings jersey, he is out of the will.
