Brian Clothier is selling his Redskins soul on eBay.
After 27 years of rooting for Washington, Clothier’s week-long auction ends on Wednesday with no shortage of bidders ready to convert him. Clothier pledges to wear a jersey and hat for one season of the highest bidder’s preferred team after thinking no one would be interested. Instead, 34 have pushed the price to $172 so far.
“I didn’t do this to make money. I just wanted to humorously protest,” he said. “I added the eBay link trying to make light of it. People are throwing real money at this. It’s a little overwhelming. It would be like selling my imagination.”
Clothier supported the Redskins to counter his father’s Baltimore Colts patronage, the precursor to today’s Washingtonians becoming Dallas Cowboy fans. The Chestertown, Md. carpenter’s apprentice has been to several Redskins games over the years, rooting for his favorites Darrell Green, Sean Taylor and Clinton Portis. But like many supporters, he has finally had enough of owner Dan Snyder’s lackluster tenure. Clothier said it’s not easy to completely forsake his team, though.
“A lot of people are commenting they’re so upset the way I’m treating this. It’s really just an opportunity to have a laugh,” he said. “I’m finding it very hard to not be a Redskins fan. Even though Daniel Snyder and [vice president] Vinny Cerrato have let me down, Jim Zorn is probably coaching to the best of his ability. The thing that makes me the most angry, to give up my citizenship in Redskins nation, is people who were born after 1991 wouldn’t know they were a great team. A dynasty team.”
Oddly, many bidders told Clothier they have it worse than Redskins fans and wish to share their pain.
“I see that a lot on the messages,” he said. ” They say, ‘You don’t have it bad. You should try being a fan of my team.’ The guy that’s leading [the bidding] said, ‘I’m going to make you a Jets fan and make you root for Mark Sanchez.’
“It’s like teams become part of your family. Even when they’re winning they’re not doing well enough. I’m sure there are New England Patriots fans who thing they didn’t do it well enough. Pittsburgh fans who think the Super Bowl win over Arizona [last year] shouldn’t have been so close.”
What happens if Snyder buys himself a fan? Will Clothier be tormented to remain with the burgundy and gold?
“If Daniel Snyder wins, I’ll go back to supporting the Redskins,” he said. “I don’t think staying a Redskins fan would be the worst thing.”
Rick Snider has covered local sports since 1978. Read more at TheRickSniderReport.com and Twitter @Snide_Remarks or e-mail [email protected].
