but you bring up a fascinating topic: those who invest their entire identity, (well, nearly entirely), to a team. Back when I had season tickets at the Coliseum in the 70's I saw several of them, even met, (briefly), with a few. I'll make note of one:
There was a little old lady... I'm guessing 70's but possibly 80's, who was at the tunnel entrance every game.... alone - or at least I never saw anyone with her. She was indistinguishable from a homeless person, one who lives out of a shopping cart, (but no, never saw her with a cart).
However... while I thought she probably just lived near the Coliseum... and used game days to beg from fans.... I was wrong. Eventually I learned that she was actually well known, a 'fixture' at all home Ram games. And she didn't just hang around the coliseum entrance... I discovered she had tickets... went to every game. You might find it interesting how I came by this info:
After one game we were gathered outside the tunnel waiting for autographs, maybe talking with a player or two.... and at a gathering of several Ram players... Merlin Olsen being one of them... I saw Merlin call to her by name... the other players followed suit. I can't remember her name... but in turn all the players called to her, "Hey Maggie? (or whatever her name was), how did we do today?". Maggie, (or whatever her name was), would oblige.... "you missed a tackle today, Merlin"... to which Merlin laughed, admitted it, and promised to get better.
now that conversation is VERY paraphrased... I can't remember the actual question or reply BUT... that illustrates the gist of it. All the players knew her.
It's too bad no one ever wrote a book about her.. I think it would have made a great story. - JamesJM
