Hate The New England Patriots, but Cheer For Steven Jackson

As a Los Angeles Rams fan, I find myself openly rooting against two teams week in and week out, no matter who they are playing. Those teams are the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. The Patriots cheated their way to a Super Bowl win over the Rams, ending what could have been a dynasty. The moment Adam Vinatieri’s kick sailed though the uprights, is still the single worst moment in my time as a Rams fan, so its pretty easy to cheer against them. And well the Seahawks, I probably dont have to explain myself.

Last year’s Super Bowl was a pick the lesser of two evils situation when both teams advanced to Super Bowl Sunday. Therefore, I took the Seahawks because of Russell Wilson and Earl Thomas, two guys in which you have to respect because they are great at what they do.

Thankfully the Seahawks are out at the hands of my favorite playoff team this year, the Carolina Panthers. However, there is still a one in four chance that they advance to the final weekend for the second year in a row.

While I openly hate the Patriots, this year I am a bit more conflicted in my hate. Right before the beginning of the playoffs, Steven Jackson signed with the Patriots to join their playoff run. This is a player that I looked up to growing up and is without a doubt my favorite Rams player of all-time.

The fight and passion that he gave every single Sunday is why I fell in love with him. Jackson was a player who gave his all to the franchise with little reward. He NEVER had a winning season and made the playoffs just once, and even that was in his rookie year. After that, SJ39 suffered through the worst three seasons in NFL history and never complained.

Instead he rushed for 1,000 yards in eight straight seasons and became the franchise’s all-time leading rusher. Watching Jackson single handedly beat teams like the Dallas Cowboys in 2008, a game in which he rushed for 160 yards and three touchdowns were moments that I lived for as a 15 year old.

Now here he is, my favorite Rams player playing for one of the teams that I hate the most. Torry Holt had a run with the Patriots and Isaac Bruce played with the 49ers, but neither situation was as conflicting as this one, at least for me.

If it’s one player who deserves to win the most it’s Jackson. While he did  join the team late in the year, Jackson has never experienced winning and as a fan I regret that the Rams weren’t able to give that to him.

Although I wish it didnt have to be with the Patriots, I am extremely happy for SJ that he finally gets the playoff run that he deserves. He may no longer have the dreads or be nowhere near the same player that he was, but he is the same guy that I adored.

I know it’s difficult, and Im not saying you have to cheer for the Patriots, you can still hate them as myself and many Rams fans do, but cheer for number 39 to get that Super Bowl ring.

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