As most of you know, I named my only child (4 year old son) Zachary Thomas Cullen. My great grandfather was a Dolfan, my grandfather, my father and uncle, me and my brothers etc. it was an easy time growing up. I grew up in west palm Florida, live games were local, went to games, sports radio and tv centered around my beloved phins. Jerseys were everywhere in Walmart and sports authority, it was impossible to not carry on my family tradition by watching the phins and being a die hard fan. Fast forward to 2008. My son is born at Wellington regional hospital in south Florida. My wife and I love his name. I played middle linebacker my entire football career through college. Some say I resemble his looks. 1 minute after he came into this world the nurse said and I quote (swear to god) "look at his wide shoulders, he looks like a linebacker" It was perfect. Fast forward to 2012. We moved to Charlotte nc in early 2008, a couple of months after he was born. Now at 4 years old he has his own opinion. His own independence. I have nfl ticket. I watch the dolphins. I have jerseys. A Zachary Thomas fathead stands tall in my sons room. However, cam newtons smile dominates this city. His "superman" celebration trumps a handshake here. My son emulates it. My son gravitates to the giant panther statues that guard the gates of bank of America stadium every time we are near it. He loves the panther growl, the black, silver, powder blue colors. The silver helmet. The mean cat gracing the shiny helmet. At four years old cam newton is really superman and the panthers are all he hears outside of my home. His friends parents have a scowling cat painted on their back window of their cars, on their front license plates. His friends have panther lunch boxes and shirts. He is different. He has orange and aqua lunch boxes and shirts. He wonders why. So here I am looking for tickets to the dolphins and panthers preseason game for August 17th. Looking for 3 tickets. Taking my son to his first nfl game. His first ever time inside of that stadium. My wife and I state "we are rooting for the dolphins. Who are you rooting for Zachary?" He shoots back "the pampers" so a matter of factly that I am stunned. I say "but daddy is a dolphins fan. Dolphins are awesome!!!" Without even blinking he states coldly "yeah well I am rooting for the panthers, and we're going to kick your butt!!!!" ...............kill me. Pull the plug. I'd rather be hit by a garbage truck than hear not only my son rooting for someone else and breaking the tradition, but hearing him TALK **** TO ME ABOUT BEATING MY TEAM. I am stunned. I am falling backwards, stumbling, gasping for air. So I sit him down. Pull out the laptop. Google "Zachary Thomas" pictures. I show him. I show him ZT highlights. 1972 highlights. Show him Dan Marino highlights all with tears in my eyes. I grind it home to the point where I show him a picture of ZT and ask "who's that?" he answers, "Zachary Thomas" Awesome. "who's this??" "Dan Marino" Perfect. "what team do the play for?" "the dolphins" YES YES YES "so Zachary, who's your favorite team?" ........"the pampers" *gun to head. Pull trigger. BOOM*
At least you guys can share an interest in the sport of football. Sorry... continue the TNT Drama special.
Guess your gonna have to change his name to Cameron Newton Cullen. Could be worse you could live in New York.
If he's going to be that disrespectful just leave his *** home! JK. Sorry about your luck Sick, my boy is 8 and I have him completely brainwashed. He makes me very proud!
Or tell him he's gonna wear Pampers until he likes the Dolphins and the only toy he's gonna play with are Barbies unless he pledge allegiance to his namesake
You need to start classical conditioning him. When he says something good about the Dolphins reward him or pat him on the head like one would a dog. If he mentions the Panthers ignore him or have him sit in a corner or something. The clock is ticking... You have now until the teenager stage to turn this around or you are screwed lol.
so basically you are a horrible, horrible parent. Gotcha. Sorry to hear, you didn't raise your son right.
I'm awaiting his sarcastic comeback, but he's probably pouring a glass of warm milk or chasing kids off his lawn. Ya know, old people stuff.
lol..I've been there, its like walking a tightrope, hmmm, this is serious, after all his name is Zach...Tell him that Cam newtons charges people lots of money just to sign a pieces of paper and doesn't share, and dolphin players sign pieces of paper for homeless people, lol...You must pull out all the stops to convert him..
In a couple of years, if this mutany continues, threaten adoption........... to put him up 4 of course
probably not a good idea. if you ask him to see what is worse, may I remind you that dolphins are the rapists of the sea.
Whats wrong with living in New York? We have the Giants. Theyre ok. Oh you mean the Jets and Bills? Only the imprisoned would root for those scumbags. That actually made me LOL. Gold. This.
...... but at least Sick's son would only have to deal with him until the 2nd grade. ...... when the Jets kid drops out to work in a factory or become a parent himself.
Kid sounds like he is shaping up to be a fantastic NFL fan. Talkin smack at 4 years old? Dang. Just gotta convince him to join the dark side...
I HAD a similar situation with my daughter Taylor's ( yes #99) mom and her dad who are both half *** Bengals fans. To this point she has held strong. I feel for ya bro but at that age don't underestimate the power of ice cream, and the fact that "Batman used to play for the Dolphins", if he replies ---- u dad I like Superman???? I dunno...I really don't.
