San Diego’s reputation is pretty well-known. Everyone that lives here is a chill, fun-loving, beach-going surfer. That’s our thing.So how did America’s finest city turn into an enraged mob scarier than “Pacman” Jones in a dark alley?Chargers fans, listen up. You’re all too angry.You want proof? Ask any Chargers fan you know what he thinks about the Super Bowl, and watch his face turn five shades redder.I understand that “Terrific” Tom Brady and the Patriots keep winning, and I know they beat your beloved Bolts in the playoffs two years in a row. And sure, Eli Manning spurned the entire city when he got drafted.But get over it. Watch a sunset. Ride some waves. Get drunk. Do whatever it is you do to relax.Most importantly, stop hating.Reasons why you should be happy the younger Manning left for New York:No. 1: He will never beat his brother in a big game.No. 2: You got Philip Rivers and the most terrifying man in football, Shawne Merriman, now that Ray Lewis’ Ravens have less talent than LSU’s defense.No. 3: Who wants a quarterback who constantly looks more lost than Britney Spears at a PTA meeting?But most of all, everyone seems to forget that the great John Elway did the exact same thing. He refused to play for the Baltimore Colts, who were forced to trade him to the Denver Broncos.The only reason most people don’t remember is because the Colts then burned Baltimore by relocating to Indianapolis. But don’t worry Chargers fans, with no stadium deal in place in San Diego, you might be just as lucky to forget about Manning!As for Brady and the Patriots, even I don’t hate them, and I’m a Miami Dolphins fan, one of their “rivals.” And I’m proud of it. I even wore all Dolphins gear during the AFC Championship. I looked hideous. Whoever picked teal and orange as team colors deserves to be 1-15.In fact, New England’s colors may be why I hate them the most. I can pull off red, white and blue. Nobody can pull off turquoise.But as far as their team goes, what’s to hate? Sure they win, but that’s what every team is supposed to do.It’s not like they’re the Yankees, whose payroll could single-handedly pull our economy out of a recession. The Patriots just make the right decisions – always. Anyone could have grabbed Brady in the sixth round or traded a fourth round pick for model citizen Randy Moss.And sure, there’s the whole Spygate scandal. But if you think everyone doesn’t try that sort of thing, you’re as disillusioned about your team as Jon Kitna.Look, I do dislike the Patriots. About the only thing I have left as a Dolphins fan is the 1972 perfect season, even if it did happen 14 years before my birth. I mean, I don’t even have Dan Marino’s records after that jerk Brett Favre stole them all. Who can argue that the second best statistical quarterback is the greatest ever? I’m crushed.But even in the face of losing our grip on perfection, I don’t hate the Patriots. They play team ball, and they play it better than anyone I’ve ever seen.So Chargers fans, take it easy, relax and enjoy the Super Bowl.As for me? I’m going to get absolutely wasted on Sunday. Because I really hate both teams.
– Eric Shannon is a journalism senior.
– This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec.
