It has become abundantly clear that Redskins owner Daniel M. Snyder is in a world of his own. What other conclusion can we reach after Snyder sued the City Paper, an alternative weekly, for an article published last year that excoriated him as a team owner and businessman? The article was critical and mean, but it was also nasty funny and based on fact, near as most readers could tell. But in Dan’s World, he is master. No one, it seems, could tell him that suing the weekly was a public relations blunder of seismic proportions. The City Paper article was read by few and forgotten by most last November; Snyder’s lawsuit gave it new life and a readership of millions. It also reminded Redskins fans that their team’s owner can be an angry, vindictive fellow who often does things that are hurtful to the people he needs the most: his fans, his coaches, his players. Face it, Dan Snyder has an abusive relationship with his fans. And just as spouses in abusive relationships are enablers, Redskins fans allow Dan Snyder to be abusive.
As the City Paper recounts, he’s charged fans to see practices. He’s seated them behind posts. He’s sued fans for not being able to pay contracts for tickets. Attending a Redskins game at FedEx Field can be a costly and bruising experience. Getting to the game and parking can absorb hours and cost hundreds of dollars. Guards frisk every fan and remove even water bottles. Yet fans come back for more abuse.
Worst of all, under Snyder the Redskins have been losers. Year after year, Snyder changes coaches, quarterbacks and players, a prescription for disaster. And year after year, the Redskins lose and disappoint fans.
Isn’t it time for Redskins fans to admit to the abuse, quit being enablers and take action the way an abused spouse might respond? You have gone through the three stages of abuse: enabling the abuser, denying the abuse and finally getting angry at the abuser. Some fans have established a legal defense fund to help City Paper fight Snyder’s lawsuit.
The fans can’t throw the owner out. He’s only 44. Snyder could be the owner for another half century. But Redskins fans can leave the team, just as an abused spouse might be forced to flee the home. It would not be easy. Redskins fans have been loyal for decades. But to survive and maintain their dignity, they might have to abandon their beloved team. It might require support groups, but the goals are clear: quit attending games, stop buying Redskins gear, switch your fandom to other teams or other sports.
For needy football fans, the Baltimore Ravens might be a repository for your love. The Washington Capitals offer a warm and loving embrace and a sweet owner. Ditto the Wizards for basketball fans and D.C. United if you could cozy up to soccer.
Sticking with the Redskins will consign fans to decades of disappointment, let alone abuse. For your own sake, move on.
Harry Jaffe’s column appears on Tuesday and Friday. He can be contacted at [email protected].
