What I'm Thankful For by Julie Wicher, Sirens Half Back Perspectives Editorial Volume 1, Issue 13 December 1, 2002 I was at the gym the day after Thanksgiving trying to work off some of the turkey, stuffing, potatoes, gravy and pumpkin pie I had filled up on the day before. As I ran on the treadmill I noticed that every television at the gym had a different college football game on. People would choose a machine to work out on depending on what game was playing on the TV in front of them. A lady walked by with a Seattle Mariner's baseball jersey on. A few minutes later a man walked by with a San Francisco Giants baseball cap on. After I was finished with my run, I walked downstairs to the free weight area. More TV's, more college football watchers, more 49er, Raider and other professional and college attire. I started thinking about how someone first starts supporting a particular team. Living in northern California, why is that lady a Mariner fan? Could it be that she once lived in Seattle? Maybe she has family that lives there. Maybe she knows someone on the team or someone that works for the franchise. Maybe there is a particular player on that team that impresses her. Maybe she just liked the colors of the shirt and really couldn't care less for the team. I grew up a 49er fan. Although I was raised in southeast Washington State, I was born in Santa Clara and most of my family still live in or near the bay area. It's quite possible I would be disowned if I did not love the niners. I was not able to see my extended family much when I was young, but whenever we would get together for the holidays a main topic of conversation would always be how the niners were doing. Now that I live near my extended family once again I am able to spend a lot more time with them. There were 19 of us at my grandparents' house for thanksgiving. This year however the main topic was the Sacramento Sirens. It made me laugh a little to think that this was the first Thursday in quite some time in which we (the Sirens) had a break (i.e. did not have practice) and yet there was no break from the Sirens. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely not complaining. I love it that my family is so excited and supportive. My family came out to our preseason game to support me although I'm sure they thought watching women's football would be somewhat of a bore. Their minds were quickly changed. If you ask my grandpa who his favorite professional football team is I'm sure he would say the Sirens. Half their wardrobe is now made up of Siren t-shirts and other paraphernalia. If you wonder who those people are tailgating before every home game now you know; they are my family. Who is that crazy guy that runs through the stands with signs after every play on the field? That is my uncle. My aunt now volunteers for the team to help with promoting and other team operations. They joke that they are Siren groupies because they travel to the away games. They are no longer just out there to watch and support me; they are out there because they love to watch and support the team. There are so many things I am thankful for over these holidays. On an individual level I am thankful for my patience and perseverance, my sense of humor and humility. I am thankful for my crazy yet supportive family who always know how to keep me going. I am thankful for my "new" family; my coaches and teammates in the Sirens organization. I am thankful for sunflower seeds, black hats and inspirational pre-game speeches.     Back