FEATURES-

1999 Preseason Coverage

1999 Training Camp coverage

The E-Zine's Quarterback Watch-

-Front Office Debate- Ram-ble's Offseason Analyses Zack Neruda's FOD Analysis

"E-ZINE" Fan Profiles- GRITS Ram Fan Smack Chick

The HERD's home- RAMS Message Board

Add yourself to The HERD's Official Roster (guestbook), if you think you are man enough!

The HERD's ULTIMATE link page-add your favorite here!

The HERD's ICQ list and chat room

~ E-ZINE LINKS ~

AT THE ST. LOUIS AIRPORT SUNDAY NIGHT
BY BLACKSHEEP (Dec 5) 

St. Louis Rams head coach Dick Vermeil, left, reacts after getting doused by players after the Rams defeated the Carolina Panthers 34-21 to clinch the NFC West division title for the first time since 1985 at Ericsson Stadium in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 5, 1999. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

I'm 36. I didn't get into football until 1977, the year after their mid-seventies playoff run. Until today, all I ever knew was losing football. So Cal fans, you think one decade of bad is tough, try several. No slam, but at least you have some winning tradition!

I skipped  work this past Friday because of a cold, but I was at the Rams rally tonight because I had NEVER seen a division winner. Except for 1984 when the Big Red was 9-7, I had not seen a winning team. So as far as sports is concerned, this is the most important day of my life.

So...I was at the Rams Rally representing all of you!!! It was great. Cold as hell, but great. I got to Boeing at about 6:00 PM and a big crowd was already there. We swapped stories and recalled plays from the Carolina game. I told everyone I came into contact with I was representing Rams fans from around the world who post messages on this board.

More and more people came,  adding to the festivities.

We were informed by the local media that the Rams flight out of Charlotte had been delayed about a half hour because of inclement weather. It was all right though. We kept singing, chanting and cheering with the cheerleaders as the temperature dipped more. Finally, the Rams caravan arrived to a throng of cheers.

The players came out to the crowd and gave out high-fives. Orlando, Dre' Keith, Dexter, Mike G., Grant etc., man it was great. Jack Snow MC'ed the announcement of the Rams executive brass and players. When the golden lady came out on the platform, we went crazy chanting "Georgia! Georgia!" She said a few words, then Snow introduced Dick Vermeil.

I was yelling and pumping my fist so frantically I almost fell over the support ropes. In Dick's speech he said the Rams "want to take Georgia to Georgia". Again, the crowd went wild chanting "Super Bowl!" Vermeil did not cry. I was surprised!

Then John Shaw and Charlie Armey spoke. Shaw thanked Armey for acquiring the talented players the Rams have. Armey said all of the credit goes to the players. He was pointing to the team when he said it.

Kevin Carter gave a speech about the players not celebrating because they have unfinished business and that they were proud to have St. Louis host its first playoff game. Of course, the crowd went nuts. Special K spoke but I don't know what he said because we were too busy chanting "MVP! MVP!"

Snow then thanked the crowd for our support and said they wanted to get outta there so the players wouldn't catch colds. We started chanting "NFC West Champs." I hope we can do this again in late January.

The players were glad to see the crowd. They practically RAN to the support ropes to glad-hand the crowd. Keith Lyle was the first one out of the caravan. Pace had a grin from ear to ear. The players were  very excited. I wish I had taken my digital camera to post the pictures for you guys and gals to see but I didn't know what to expect since a football team from St. Louis has never been in this situation before.

I'm not sure how many people were there, since I was at the front of the pack. I believe it was around 2 or 3 thousand fans