FanPost

Back To The Future 44: The Man, The Myth, The Legend That Is #RileyDixon

Let's suppose for a second that a Delorean Time Machine showed up in Syracuse in 2012, they found someone who was blase about Syracuse Football and Doc Brown wanted to take them to the future to show them why they should enjoy Syracuse football in this moment. The following is what one might see if they went into the future and witnessed this person in a conversation with their kids. I will name the fan Marty McNamara.

*Deloran is set for October 2035 and Doc and Marty arrive at Marty's house where he is gathered with family on game day*

Marty in 2035: "Hey everyone, it's time for some Syracuse football game. Unfortunately they aren't playing at home in the Hofmann's Hot Haus Dome but we can watch it on ESPN 40 by using our Apple Hologram Device."

Marty's Oldest Grandson: "Aww grandpa, why should we watch this stuff? I know they won some championships like 10-15 years ago but that was a long time ago. I just want to play on my Hoverboard."

Marty 2035: "Gather around kids and let me tell you a little story. Back when I was a young fan, I had my doubts as well but then this local guy appeared out of nowhere and he became a legend on campus. That young man was named Riley Dixon.

"Now some might say that punters and kickers are boring but those who say that never met Riley Dixon. He was a local kid from CBA who came onto campus with little hype but made football exciting again. There was the time he lined up to hold a field goal...or so we thought. Game is in second overtime against a good Villanova team but one that SU should have beat. Hearts are pounding....Riley takes the snap...he runs to his left...makes a jump pass to Kendall Moore and they score the TD and win the game as Syracuse fans erupt everywhere!!!!

Now sure you could say, he played QB at CBA so a little overtime throw against a lesser team isn't all that exciting, right? Well you weren't there to witness it so pull your pants up and listen to the rest of the story.

What about the time Syracuse was playing a highly ranked LSU team that everyone thought was going to just crush Syracuse. Late in the first half, Syracuse is still hanging in the game and again, it looks as though Syracuse is going to go for a field goal to get more points before the half. But no, this time Riley takes the snap and instead of passing, he takes the ball and runs. In the process the words, "There goes Dixon...HURDLES A MAN!!" are uttered as yes, the punter hurdles a defender to get just enough yardage for the first down to extent the drive.

Those plays were huge back when I was a young fan but what also made him huge was how great he was at his normal job. Riley Dixon went out there and punted that ball and more times than not, because of how good he was, the opposing team was forced to start with worse field position than they hoped. He was a spark plug...a light of positive energy...he was someone fans identified with and loved cheering on. He was a big reason I became excited to watch football and started wearing my Orange with pride and your generation will have someone like him (or her) and you will wish that you were watching."

Middle Grandson: "Really grandpa? A punter did all that? Can I be a kicker some day too? I want to be like that guy you saw...I want to be like Riley Dixon."

Marty 2035: "Well you know, Riley retired from the NFL after a very successful career and he just so happens to be the offensive coordinator of the Syracuse Orange. Maybe next game, we can try to get an autograph or something."

Doc Brown turns to 2012 Marty and tells him, "You see that? You are sitting around wondering why all your friends care about Syracuse football and what you don't realize is that you are on the verge of watching something special take place. You are going to witness moments that will make you so glad you started watching and caring that you will share it with your kids just like my grandfather used to share stories with me about guys who wore the 44 jerseys and Larry Csonka or the names I saw play like Freeney, McNabb, McPherson, Morris, and Monk. These are the things that made me become the Syracuse fan I am today. So what do you say? Are you ready to jump on board now so you can actually be there to witness these moments and many more when they happen and share them with your kids and grandkids?"

Marty 2012: "Thank you Doc for showing me that. Now I am excited for the future of this program and I am ready to support this team. So Riley Dixon will become that exciting and they will win some championships in the future huh?"

Doc: "Remember, you can't tell a soul what you saw or you may impact the future in ways unimaginable. So go out, enjoy the games and soak in the moments while they last."

*****************************End of Story***************************

So I ask you the fans, are you ready to enjoy watching the Orange Revolution happening before your eyes and root for guys like Riley Dixon, Erv Philips, Ron Thompson and Eric Dungey? Guys like Riley make this game exciting and make memories we can share for years to come and much like Marty McNamara, we will be able to say we saw these plays and we supported the #RileyDixonforHeisman movement not because we thought it was funny but because what was once tongue in cheek became a way to say thank you for the memories to a guy who gave us so much on the field. For I was once Doc Brown and I grew up on the legends that make Syracuse football and one day you will tell people you witnessed firsthand and rooted on the man...the myth..the legend that is RILEY "MotherTrucking" DIXON y'all!

Go Orange! :)