How to be a Washington Redskins Fan

The Washington Redskins are one of the greatest football teams in NFL history, with several Super Bowl championships under their belt. The original team began in 1932, and were named the Boston Braves. In 1933, the team moved from Braves Field to Fenway Park, and became the Boston Redskins. On February 13, 1937, the NFL approved the movement of the Redskins to Washington D.C., and this historic franchise was born. This How To guide will tell you how to be an effective Redskin fan, in this current era of the NFL.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• strong will
• ability to ignore rude comments from Dallas Cowboy fans
• loyalty to Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs

1. London Fletcher Become familiar with the current roster. You might find Pro Bowl players picked up in the offseason that you didn't realize. How about London Fletcher (pictured)? Keenan McCardell? Even Freddie Smoot came back to the 'Skins after a brief stint in Minnesota.
2. Earnest Byner Become familiar with the coaching staff. The 'Skins are the only team with an active Hall of Fame coach in Joe Gibbs. Gibbs also has two former NFL head coaches on his staff this season - Joe Bugel and Gregg Williams. Longtime 'Skins fans will recognize the runningbacks coach as one of the best players in DC history - Earnest Byner (pictured).
3. Art Monk Become familiar with the team's history. The Hogs. The Diesel. All the famous Joe's. The duo of Monk (pictured) and Clark. Timmy Smith's SuperBowl Record. Rypien. Williams. Sonny. George. Manley. Mann. So many more. Redskins fans are some of the most passionate you'll ever meet, and they pride themselves on the history of the franchise - not just this season's team.
4. Part of the Redskins Marching Band Learn the Redskins fight song. For more than 65 years, the Washington Redskins Marching Band has led sell-out crowds in the team fight song, "Hail to the Redskins!" It is one of only two pro football marching bands in existence today.
   
   The words of the song are as follows:
   
   Hail to the Redskins!
   Hail Victory!
   Braves on the Warpath!
   Fight for old D.C.!
   
   Run or pass and score
   We want a lot more!
   Beat 'em, Swamp 'em, Touchdown!
   Let the points soar!
   
   Fight on, fight on
   'Til you have won
   Sons of Wash-ing-ton
   Rah!, Rah!, Rah!
   
   Hail to the Redskins!
   Hail Victory!
   Braves on the Warpath!
   Fight for old D.C.!
5. Some of the Hogettes...with Jay Leno Buy yourself some Redskin gear. Go to the official Redskins online store and buy yourself a John Riggins #44 jersey. Buy yourself a Hog nose, a dress, and a colorful wig - and join the Hogettes! The "Hogs" refer back to the awesome offensive linemen of the late 80's/early 90's - starters Jeff Bostic, Joe Jacoby, Jim Lachey, Raleigh McKenzie, Mark Schlereth, Don Warren and reserves Russ Grimm, Ed Simmons, Mark Adickes and Ron Middleton. Of course, that goes hand-in-hand with learning the team's history, too.
6. Boo the 'Boys... Hate the Dallas Cowboys. Don't just despise, hate. Everything. From Jerry Jones to Jimmy Johnson. From Terrell Owens to Michael Irvin. From Roger Staubach and Danny White to Troy Aikman and Tony Romo. Emmitt Smith? let him dance his way right out of your good graces. If any part of your body, infinitesimal as it may be, tolerates the Texas Star, then you'll never be a true Redskins fan.
7. Joe Theisman breaks his leg, thanks LT. Dislike the rest of the NFC East. You don't have to hate the Giants or the Eagles, but it helps. Just hate Dallas. Repeat after me, the 'Boys are bad, mmkay? But you can hate Lawrence Taylor if you'd like - he took out Joe Theismann's leg, albeit accidentally. That doesn't make me feel better about it, though.
8. A happy 'Skins fan Watch the 'Skins battle on Sundays. There is no better way to be a fan than to watch Washington tangle with other teams on Sunday. We may not always win, but we'll always be Redskins!

Tips & Warnings

• Just have fun! That is truly all that matters (that, and destroying Dallas twice a year).
• Ridicule from Dallas fans may be intense and unending. Just remind them that the Redskins play in DC, so Dallas has it wrong. The 'Skins are the REAL America's team.