This commentary was originally posted on 漏 2024 外网天堂 reporter Maria Altman鈥檚 Facebook page on January 14, 2016. It was recorded for 鈥淪t. Louis on the Air鈥� on January 19, 2016. Listen to the radio commentary here:
Some thought on the Rams leaving for L.A.:
Around the time that St. Louis was wooing the Rams away from Los Angeles in the first place, I was finishing up my journalism degree at the University of Iowa. Being from a state with no professional team, I paid no attention to professional football. To be honest, I paid little attention to the Iowa Hawkeyes鈥� football team. Beyond going to class, I was more interested in hearing bands, house parties and boys.
Which brings me to Heath.
We met while working for minimum wage at the campus auditorium; putting out desserts and pouring coffee for peckish audiences during intermission. We made small talk, we flirted, and eventually I got the nerve to ask him out. Why I wanted to go out with a guy named Heath you鈥檇 have to ask my 21-year-old self, but at the time, I did, and he agreed.
And then he stood me up.
I was mad. I was a little humiliated. But that evening after he coolly backed out of our plans, I decided to get even.
I held a F*&# Heath Party.
It was fun. My friends came over, and I served them the food I had prepared for a romantic little picnic, which included shrimp salad (what was I thinking?) We drank wine and my friends toasted me and cursed Heath, and it was all very delicious.
So I鈥檓 a little surprised that no one has come up with a similar plan to send off the Rams, most especially their owner Stan Kroenke. It can be more artful than my collegiate party, but it most definitely should be a celebration. Perhaps a tailgating event to pay tribute to all the Sundays that went before. Maybe an ode to city taxpayers who won鈥檛 have to pay any portion of a $1 billion stadium. Or it could just be a joyful 鈥渨e鈥檙e still standing鈥� announcement that is welcome to all.
"St. Louis should embrace what it is, and maybe that's not an NFL city. But it's a town with heart, smart people, cool neighborhoods, and a whole lot of storied sports history."
Because, St. Louis, you were not only stood up; the guy ignored your calls and openly went after a younger, hipper, trendier girl, I mean, city. Who needs him? He looks like the villain from a silent movie. During the press conference in Houston, I half expected him to curl his mustache, put on a top hat, sweep up his cape and disappear in a puff of smoke. But I digress.
St. Louis should embrace what it is, and maybe that鈥檚 not an NFL city. But it鈥檚 a town with heart, smart people, cool neighborhoods, and a whole lot of storied sports history. Ask anyone in soccer and they鈥檒l tell you this city needs a professional team.
So, chin up, St. Louis. Nothing is less attractive than looking desperate. Desperate people do dumb things (like sign contracts with a tier one clause.) Let loose, have fun, and quit worrying about what everyone thinks.
I don鈥檛 know where Heath is today. I鈥檓 sure he鈥檚 a very nice guy with a very nice life.
But I know he missed a good party.
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