First they came

First they came for 1pm 

And I did not speak out—

Because I had already rushed home from church

Then they came for 4pm

And I did not speak out 

Because I’d been with my family the whole day yesterday 

Then they came for thanksgiving,

And I did not speak out—

Because time around family can be a bit uncomfortable and the game brings us together in a way conversations can’t

Then they came for Black Friday

And I did not speak out- 

It’s not like I was doing anything that any how

Then they came Christmas, Christmas Eve, Saturday, Thursday, a double header on Monday, a make up game up on Tuesday, flex scheduling, short turnarounds which they cleverly called mini bi-weeks, expanded playoffs; a 17 week regular season, an 18, 19, 20, hell, 22 week regular season is not that unrealistic; they came for games in Germany, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, so now I’m watching Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns in Munich at 8 o'clock in the morning.

They practically created their own liturgical calendar for me to follow: Preseason, Regular Season, Postseason, Draft Season, Free Agency Season, Minicamp, Combine. I never had to take a football Sabbath again. 

And I did not speak out- 

Cause this is my culture

Then they came for my wallet. They raised ticket prices, they moved to streaming platforms, they relocated to more favorable states, they told me it was for my own good, for love of the community.

they made me pay for their sparkling new stadiums, they told me parking is limited I’d best book ahead. They traded my heroes for prospects and draft picks. They started a rebuild. They started a rebuild of the rebuild and told me it takes time, be patient, keep coming and spending, it’ll all be worth it one day.

they came for my hard earned money, they put the fun straight onto my phone. They offered me moneylines, live odds, overs and unders. They fed me point spreads, prop bets, parlays,and profit boosts.  

They showed me violence, showed me dead mean walking 

Filled my days and hours with meaninglessness

And I did not speak out 

Because this is all very normal.

Then they came for me

They wrapped my body in a Jared Goff jersey

Along with a 6 pack of Miller Light and other Lions paraphernalia

And placed it in a tomb