Another Goodbye to John

I grew up In County Kerry in Ireland, and started watching NFL in my 1st year in University about six years ago. I'm from a rural area, as far away from Dublin as you can get, so most people stuck close to home when going on to 3rd level education so that the comforts of a weekend home with your friends while your mother does your laundry are always nearby. I'd decided to study film though, and went to Dublin as it was the only University that offered it as an option. Away from all of my friends, and scared, my first few months were a train-wreck. After a while, I became friends with a pair of guys that loved football, and ended up moving in to their tiny, cold apartment. To be honest, having never been to America and lacking geographical allegiances, my gravitation towards Seahawks fandom was largely due to the fact that running Shaun Alexander behind Hutch and Big Walt in "Madden" gave me my best shot of finally beating one of them.

Our social life at the time was the usual angsty crap, sitting around skipping classes listening to Elliott Smith and getting stoned all day. A mutual love of football was all that bound my two new friends together (being in love with the NFL in Ireland and finding someone that you can have a knowledgeable discussion with is a rarity) and I soon immersed myself in the season to feel included. Finding Fieldgulls was like finding a treasure trove, in-depth analysis followed by educated and reasoned comments. X's and O's layed out and explained with shining humor and clarity. It took me away from Rich Eisen and the bland generalities I'd grown accustomed to when seeking NFL coverage and gave me a platform to learn so much more. Instead of staring perpetually at the QB and growing confused as to why he wasn't merely heaving the ball 50 yards downfield every play, I began watching line play, studying routes etc. Most of all, John's writing made me love the Seahawks, and for that I am eternally grateful. 

Due to the 7 hour time difference, I rarely get a chance to comment regularly, as I'm usually the first to comment while you're all sleeping or coming in at the tail end of a discussion you were having while I was in bed. But I've read every article and fanpost on this site for the last four years, and want to say firstly a thanks to John, you've given me and I'm sure many others far more than you realise. And secondly, I hope that the brilliant commenters on this site stick together. Fieldgulls has always been as much about your dedicated feedback as it has been about John's words.