by Travis Mateer
How could I utter such heresy about Griz Nation after a miraculous DOUBLE overtime win this weekend? The victory clenched a championship appearance for the Grizzlies, Bobby Hauck could be coach of the year, and this playoff run will probably go down as one of the greatest in Griz Nation history. Am I trying to get lynched by a mob of angry Griz fans?
Maybe the smiling football player pictured below has something to do with it? Would Griz fans recognize the linebacker who deflected Brett Favre’s pass on 4th and 6 during Super Bowl XXXII?
The football player’s name is John Mobley, and he knew the man euthanized by the Missoula County Sheriff’s Office on January 5th, 2020–an incident I’ve written a few posts about over the last few years. How does this connect to Griz football? And why should anyone care?
Before Sean Stevenson was taken off life support by the Coroner (aka, the Sheriff’s Office), he DID get to experience a Griz football game as a guest of his supervisor at Sun Mountain, Scott. Isn’t that nice? More importantly, did the Griz WIN?
I don’t know the answer to that question and SO MANY other questions surrounding Sean’s death, then Johnny’s death, then other deaths, some reported by local media, and some NOT reported. But hey, life goes on, right?
I know that’s what families like the Stevenson family are expected to do, and it’s what they TRY to do. I know this because I’ve talked intensely to members of this family since Sean’s death, and even met a bunch of them on my road trip recently.
Where do they live? Well, I won’t get specific, but I looked up the mileage and it’s a little over 100 miles from where the Griz will be playing their championship in Texas. What a small world.
Will the Griz bring home the trophy for the locals who haven’t been displaced yet? Eager fans will find out on January 7th, which is two days after the 4th anniversary of Sean’s death.
Will I be watching? Maybe, but not from Montana. I’ll be on the road listening to songs like this:
If you like the idea of me leaving, maybe THAT is a reason to support Travis’ Impact Fund (TIF), or you can make a donation at my about page.
Thanks for reading!
