Memo to Jets and TNSE: We Showed Up, You Should Do the Same

In 1996, Jets 1.0 left Winnipeg and Manitoba, but not without a strong fight.  I remember we were given a dollar amount that needed to be raised in order to keep the team. We, the people, showed up.  I remember children handing over their piggy banks.  Most of us pledged money.  When the Jets left, we showed up.  We were heart-broken. 

When The Moose came, we showed up.  We supported the team.  We still do.  Not the NHL but good hockey, good value, and good entertainment. 

Jets 2.0 came into our lives.  We showed up big time !! Rallies in the city and a Jets ticket came to be one of the most impossible tickets in the world.  It was a rough few years, but we were not deterred.  We showed up patient with the team while "building".  Some of us would go to other sporting events all across North America and still shout "TRUE NORTH" whenever the anthem was sang causing those standing next to us to inch away from us.  We believed. 

We made our first playoff series and we showed up.  It doesn't matter that we were beaten in four straight.  We showed up.  I suggested it might be time for our losing coach to be replaced, and boy was I told off.  People showed up and told me I could not even suggest anything wrong with the Jets.  Some of us missed winning a lot of money on Pro-Line just because we could not bet against our Jets.

We bought merchandise.  We participated in one of the province's finest traditions, the 50/50 draw.  We bought over-priced french fries and over-priced beer.  And, the next time, we made the playoffs, we immediately believed we were bringing the Cup back to Canada.  Our White Out parties were legendary.  We showed up big time.  We got flags for our cars.  And, when we got knocked out, we still showed our love. 

We have been tested many times with no information, misinformation, trades and no trades, but we have still shown up.  And, in case you haven't figured it out, we are going to still show up in the future.  No matter what. 

So, this is the time when you need to follow the examples of other players and organizations, and you need to show up for us.  You need to find a way to compensate your part-time workers.  You can do forgivable loans even.  And, while you are showing up for them, you need to find a way to show up for the city and the province that continue to show up for you.  Help our people in need who need help.  Help our city.  Help our province.  If you don't know how to do this, we can show up and provide suggestions. 

Just.  Show up. 

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