June 22--I normally prefer to shower with water instead of beer.
But it was special Monday night when Blackhawks fans jammed in the basement of Lotties Pub and sprayed Coors Light everywhere as the final seconds elapsed in Game 6.
I never had lived in a city that watched one of its teams win a championship. The closest I had come was in suburban Washington, but when the Redskins won it all in 1992 I was far too young to be allowed in a bar.
I always have been invested in Washington's tortuous sports narrative, so it was strange to see the Hawks actually succeed. Apparently, some teams are capable of getting out of their own way and exceeding expectations. Who knew?
As impressive as the Hawks were, though, it was more compelling to watch how Chicagoans responded. After 2 million people turned out in the rain on Thursday for a glimpse of their Stanley Cup heroes, it seemed natural to try to make sense of the frenzy.
Why do so many people care so deeply about the fortunes of a group of men they don't really know?
The answer is about identity and how we humans are hard-wired to connect with others around us.
How many friends met up to watch Game 6? How many bleary-eyed co-workers bonded on May 20 after staying up to watch the thrilling triple-overtime win over the Ducks? How many text messages and SnapChats were exchanged about the Hawks over the last month?
The team and its success bound us to each other and our city. That's the essence of why we care -- why losses wreck our moods and why the staffs at so many establishments needed footstools to wash the ceilings Monday night.
We yearn to connect and the Hawks enabled us.
In the process, Chicago proved itself again as a hockey town and pro sports town. People honking car horns Monday and at the rally Thursday reacted to the championship in a way true fans are obligated to appreciate it.
Think about the poor Clevelanders, whose NBA team's near miss extended that city's title drought to 51 years. It's understandable for Chicagoans not to sympathize with LeBron James, but Cleveland fans are an admirable, passionate bunch who deserve a taste of the euphoria Chicagoans clearly are not taking for granted. Same with those in my former home of D.C.
Kudos to you, Chicago, for handling this third title as if it were the first. As Hawks general manager Stan Bowman said, winning championships never gets old. It's also incredibly difficult to accomplish.
It's reassuring to see fans here recognize both truths. So twist off a bottle cap and spray one for yourselves.
Chicagoans, you did yourselves proud.
rcampbell@tribpub.com
