Never In A Million Years

Some time last week, Jaguars owner J. Wayne Weaver (or someone in his name) took the time out to write a letter to a random Jaguars fan who had posted on the team's official message boards.  The letter was fairly brief and to the point.  It would have taken about 15 minutes to write.  Still, the message was clear.  We understand our failures are unacceptable.  Our fans are the most important thing to us.  We're working hard to give you at special feeling of being the fan of a winner again.

Here is the full text of the letter:

Dear Kevin83,

Your post this week on the Jaguars message board brought back a lot of great memories. Like you, I recall the excitement of that day in November, 1993 when the Jaguars were born and all the wonderful fans who turned out to celebrate this victory for Jacksonville.

I also recall thinking at that time about all the young people in our community and how rewarding it was going to be to watch them grow up as Jaguars fans. So many of my friends and acquaintances tell me about what ardent fans their sons and daughters have become.

Last week, I met with one of them. He was 14 years old and came with his father to see me. He had worked at odd jobs all summer and had saved his money, and he wanted to use that money to buy his own season ticket to the Jaguars games.

I know that we are faced with hard economic times, but your post and those who commented on it, as well as fans like my new 14-year old friend, show that we are on the right track. I believe that the young generation of Jaguars fans is intent on joining the ranks of our loyal fan base and making Jacksonville and the Jaguars proud.

I am going to reprint your post below so that all of our Jaguars fans who may have missed it on the message board get a chance to enjoy it. Thank you for your support, and enjoy the upcoming season.

Sincerely

J. Wayne Weaver
Jaguars Owner

That's it.  Nothing over the top or too involved.  Just 260 words.  But they mean a lot.  Keep in mind, Weaver owns a team that is facing a probable blackout of every home game this season.

Why has Mike Brown never done anything like this?  Last year, when he talked to the media twice in the same year, it was met with almost comical anticipation.  "What will he say?  How will he say it?  Who will he say it to?"  When he simply showed up at a press conference talking about The Banks, it made the evening news.  This guy is the most important man in the franchise, the ultimate decision maker, the Redeemer of so many lost souls, and he appears in public about as much as Punxsutawney Phil. 

Viva.

Comments

[John]

What is equally telling was how Kevin83 finished his original post - "God Bless the Jaguars, and God Bless Wayne Weaver"

[Wyatt]

+1 for the Punxsutawney Phil reference - being a Pennsylvanian from about 45 miles west of Punxsutawney, it at least made me smile. In terms of the letter itself, it doesn't actually admit any culpability in the Jaguars' woes or promise any kind of change in the future. Just vague references to "good memories" and creating a new generation of loyal Jaguar fans.

[kotw65]

Is there a legitamite GM and how many scouts do they have?

[Theme-Creator]

I have written MFB and he does read the letters. I am sure not all, but if you are season ticket holder he reads a lot of them. He is also known to write back or even call you.

He will tell you that they are "trying hard" and that they have all the information on players that any team has. On my trip to see him (included free bad lunch) he showed me a scouting service they subscribe to. He said it gives them all the information on all the players that you need to make decisions and it costs a fraction of the amount it does to actually hire scouts. I could not believe he was that open with me.

Like I have said many times, If you met Mike on the street and did not know who he was, you would like him. He is personable, friendly, and has been known to tell a few jokes. This is part of the reason it is so incredibley frustrating that he treats the fans of the Bengals and the team the way he does. If MFB would ever sit back, hire a true GM and become an ambassidor for the team people would really like him. But he wants to be GM. Why? I do not know. It is dumbfounding.

[Inkstained.]

He wants to be GM because someone fired his daddy. Hence, he cannot imagine firing himself.

Please abandon hope. All hope.

[TheCarlPickensClause]

READ THIS ARTICLE:

http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl/article/2009-09-14/bengals-are-masters-disastrous-endings

[T]

If trying hard and being nice was equal to competence at running a team, then the Bengals wouldn't be a laughingstock.

Buffoonery is a lofty goal in that organization.

[Rich]

Dear Kevin83,
Your post this week on the Bengals message board brought back a lot of great memories. Like you, I recall the excitement of that day in November, 1967 when the Bengals were born and I realized for the first time how rich I would be.
I also recall thinking at that time about all the young people in our community and how rewarding it was going to be to get stupid rich due to their unwavering lifetime support. So many of my friends and acquaintances tell me about how embarrassed they are that their sons and daughters have become fans. I thank them, and then tell them to “fuck off.”
Last week, I met with one of them. He was 14 years old and came with his father to see me. He had worked at odd jobs all summer and had saved his money, and he wanted to use that money to buy his own season ticket to the Bengals games. Sucker!
I know that we are faced with hard economic times, but your post and those who commented on it, as well as fans like my new 14-year old financier, show me that from a purely financial standpoint, status quo works. I believe that the young generation of Bengals fans is intent on making me even richer. And you know what - I am going to let them!
I am going to reprint your post below so that all of our Bengals fans who may have missed it on the message board get a chance to enjoy it. Thank you for your support, and I apologize in advance for the rebuilding season. If not for Andre Smith’s foot, we surely would have won the Super Bowl.
Sincerely

F. Mike Brown
Bengals Owner

P.S. Fuck you!!

[WCH]

Well, honestly, what did this owner tangibly say? "Hey Fourteen year old... I got yer money. Hey Kevin83, See how we roll?"

Really, what was actually said? If this little tidbit makes you all misty between the legs, well, you know the rest!

Suffice it to say, it doesn't take much to make you feel all 'ooey and gooey.' With people like that, it is no wonder that you voted for the stadium and have been letting MBB sucker you in for so long.

[Nick Prala]

It really is this simple Mike Brown is a lost seal lion trying to find a tasty treat. AR AR AR AR AR