A Historical Look at the Origins of ExtremeSkins

[Boone]

I doubt there is any sports franchise in America that would be crazy about the idea of open political warfare on their official team forum. I’m not sure they would be crazy about ANY political discussions - even if relatively civil.

I am also guessing the team has been inundated with complaints about the moderation of that site over the years. Do a search of the site and half the results are people complaining about it. They may well have gotten tired of it.

I’m not crazy about the direction of this thread. That forum is gone forever (whether one mourns it or is glad) and wallowing around in the why and how - what’s the point? Life is short.

 

[Mark The Homer]

I’m not crazy about the direction of this thread. ...

You're right. The thread is titled "...origins of.." not "...demise of..."

I think some, including me, needed an opportunity and a place to rant and unload. Hopefully, most of that need has been satisfied.

 

[Chris]

There are nearly no threads here that don’t veer off and on the OP topic. Some more, some less.

 

[Ghost of Sarge]

I doubt there is any sports franchise in America that would be crazy about the idea of open political warfare on their official team forum. I’m not sure they would be crazy about ANY political discussions - even if relatively civil.

I am also guessing the team has been inundated with complaints about the moderation of that site over the years. Do a search of the site and half the results are people complaining about it. They may well have gotten tired of it.

I’m not crazy about the direction of this thread. That forum is gone forever (whether one mourns it or is glad) and wallowing around in the why and how - what’s the point? Life is short.

You're right, it's way past Festivus season

 

[Mark The Homer]

I would like to comment on the tailgating - a lot of it was ES tailgating, which is ES related, and so kind of relates to this thread.

I was not normally involved in the ES tailgate directly, we had our own tailgate up on the ring road. But I would see the early-bird ES tailgaters every game on Redskins Rd up to around 2015, before they got moved around to the other side. I think it was the green E lot they were in. But the early birds would line up on Redskins Rd before the lots opened, and we'd do the pre-tailgate tailgate, which was really cool and a lot of fun. For a 1 PM game, I'd get there super early, even before 6 AM sometimes. I was often the first one there. Just me and the cop. Pez & Huly arrived soon after. Sometimes they'd beat me though. They had a longer drive though. And there'd be a smattering of others showing up. By 7, people were arriving pretty steady, and by 7:30, there were quite a few people. It was great, we could do whatever we wanted, drink, cook, whatever. Nobody ever bothered us. There were no rules. We could do whatever we wanted. Then, the lots opened at 9 AM, and we'd go to our respective REAL tailgate spots, and do it all again for four more hours.

We kept the cooking simple, but there was a lot of camaraderie there on Redskins Rd. And when you go every game, year after year, you get to know people, and you become friends - good friends. If they have kids, you watch them grow up. It's pretty amazing. And relationships are spawned - romantic relationships - boy & girl meet on ES, meet at the tailgate - date - fall in love - get married. It actually happens, and it all boils down to the formation of the original extremeskins site which started it all - it's even responsible for starting this site!

There was also draft day, which involved tons of people. and that was a blast. I would get there early, and Pez & Huly and Mr. & Mrs. Huly would be there already - like clockwork. Every year. With a pig. Really a good time. Great memories.

And then there are the Canton tailgates - friggin' all day tailgates! I met Mr. and Mrs. Pez at the Art Monk one. Really cool, great camaraderie once again.

Anyway, I got a random email yesterday from FB - something about memories. So I clicked on it and it was a photo my daughter DLSF took of me and Travis on Redskins Rd in early Oct 2014. Our favorite morning drink was Vodka Grapefruit. It was a great morning drink. There's something special about drinking vodka grapefruit at 7:30 am on a Sunday morning surrounded by your Redskins fan buddies as the sun is rising with the blue sky overhead.

But the problem is, as we all know, the yellow jackets in the early fall love to swarm around sweet stuff. And the vodka grapefruit drink qualifies as sweet stuff. So the yellow jackets were always hovering and landing on the rim of my drink glass. And I had to be careful because I don't want to put one on my mouth. You have to wave them away each time you take a drink. Very inconvenient. And sometimes you forget. Because you're involved in a conversation. Well this one time, I forgot, and I got stung on my lip. Yellow jackets hurt, btw. The vodka killed some of the pain though.

So DLSF took a photo of me (Mark The Homer) and Travis (the Black Mark The Homer), with Travis empathizing with my condition. And that's what came up on FB yesterday via an email.

 

[Skinsfan1311]

I would like to comment on the tailgating - a lot of it was ES tailgating, which is ES related, and so kind of relates to this thread.

I was not normally involved in the ES tailgate directly, we had our own tailgate up on the ring road. But I would see the early-bird ES tailgaters every game on Redskins Rd up to around 2015, before they got moved around to the other side. I think it was the green E lot they were in. But the early birds would line up on Redskins Rd before the lots opened, and we'd do the pre-tailgate tailgate, which was really cool and a lot of fun. For a 1 PM game, I'd get there super early, even before 6 AM sometimes. I was often the first one there. Just me and the cop. Pez & Huly arrived soon after. Sometimes they'd beat me though. They had a longer drive though. And there'd be a smattering of others showing up. By 7, people were arriving pretty steady, and by 7:30, there were quite a few people. It was great, we could do whatever we wanted, drink, cook, whatever. Nobody ever bothered us. There were no rules. We could do whatever we wanted. Then, the lots opened at 9 AM, and we'd go to our respective REAL tailgate spots, and do it all again for four more hours.

We kept the cooking simple, but there was a lot of camaraderie there on Redskins Rd. And when you go every game, year after year, you get to know people, and you become friends - good friends. If they have kids, you watch them grow up. It's pretty amazing. And relationships are spawned - romantic relationships - boy & girl meet on ES, meet at the tailgate - date - fall in love - get married. It actually happens, and it all boils down to the formation of the original extremeskins site which started it all - it's even responsible for starting this site!

There was also draft day, which involved tons of people. and that was a blast. I would get there early, and Pez & Huly and Mr. & Mrs. Huly would be there already - like clockwork. Every year. With a pig. Really a good time. Great memories.

And then there are the Canton tailgates - friggin' all day tailgates! I met Mr. and Mrs. Pez at the Art Monk one. Really cool, great camaraderie once again.

Anyway, I got a random email yesterday from FB - something about memories. So I clicked on it and it was a photo my daughter DLSF took of me and Travis on Redskins Rd in early Oct 2014. Our favorite morning drink was Vodka Grapefruit. It was a great morning drink. There's something special about drinking vodka grapefruit at 7:30 am on a Sunday morning surrounded by your Redskins fan buddies as the sun is rising with the blue sky overhead.

But the problem is, as we all know, the yellow jackets in the early fall love to swarm around sweet stuff. And the vodka grapefruit drink qualifies as sweet stuff. So the yellow jackets were always hovering and landing on the rim of my drink glass. And I had to be careful because I don't want to put one on my mouth. You have to wave them away each time you take a drink. Very inconvenient. And sometimes you forget. Because you're involved in a conversation. Well this one time, I forgot, and I got stung on my lip. Yellow jackets hurt, btw. The vodka killed some of the pain though.

So DLSF took a photo of me (Mark The Homer) and Travis (the Black Mark The Homer), with Travis empathizing with my condition. And that's what came up on FB yesterday via an email.

View attachment 10238

Awwwww damn! I remember that day and you getting stung...sorry..but that was funny as hell! The pre-tailgate parties were just as legendary as the regular tailgates. Non FB Fran & I used to get there, a little later than you, Pez & Mac, et al....but I do remember one Sunday showing up and remarking that there was no one in line, (except you and Pez of course), you doing a double-take, and remarking, "Wow, you're early for this one!?" Then it hit me. Daylight savings time....Frannie was not thrilled.

The Draft day tailgates and the HOF tailgates, (especially Green & Monk), are the stuff of tailgating legends. At their induction, I managed to sneak into the VIP seating up front surrounded by former NFL players and players families. I was just wondering around watching players and coaches stroll in, so I grabbed and empty seat in the aisle. It had a program in the seat and they were handing out soft drinks. I still have pics somewhere, of Theismann, Snyder, Bruce Allen and those guys, sitting several rows behind me. I can tell a shit-ton of stories about that weekend. Here's a pic of the pig from one of the Draft Day tailgates.....that's me,(about 40lbs heavier) Pez and you're arm, no doubt snagging cracklin's....

 

[Mark The Homer]

Yes, I remember that day too! You were all happy and braggin' about your exclusive VIP seats! And yeah that's a great shot of my arm! Happy Birthday, btw

 

[Skinsfan1311]

Yes, I remember that day too! You were all happy and braggin' about your exclusive VIP seats! And yeah that's a great shot of my arm! Happy Birthday, btw

Thanks!!!

 

[DC Lovin San Francisco]

Another quick story...

Another ES away game tailgate - this one in St Louis...

So my daughter, DLSF, is going to school in Springfield, MO, so naturally we'll go to a game during her four years, either KC or St. Louis, whatever hits. And it's St. Louis. So we plan it way in advance and when the time comes, I organize another ES tailgate.

We got tons of help from one ES member, a woman, who lived in the midwest somewhere and brought tons of needed equipment and food too. Canopy, tables, etc. Can't remember her name, but she really helped us a lot. She would also help at other away games which were reasonably close to her, and she was with us at Canton several times, and she'd show up at a home game once in a while, too I think some called her the "ES Mom."

The game is Sunday. I got there early Saturday. Naturally there were a fair number of Redskins fans in the hotel, and we kind of congregated at the bar. Drinking. Sun started to go down.

Then, somebody comes into the bar and says "Hey man, the team is over at the Ritz Carlton! You should go check it out!"

So we all said yeah let's go! But the hotel was out of town. Not in downtown St. Louis. How do we get there? The hotel limo service! The driver didn't want to take us out there, but we finally negotiated a good tip, and he agreed. So he drove us out there in the dark. Long drive. Maybe 45 mins.

So we get to the hotel and go to the bar which is also kind of a dining area and it's the coolest thing ever. Random players are walking around casually or sitting and chatting with their families. Player families are camped out at the tables all over the dining room. Media and Redskins alum are around. Everybody really friendly. Completely different from any situation I've experienced when players are present. No idiot fans hounding for autographs. None of that crap. It was just relaxed.

My 19-year-old daughter knows thousands of people. She just does. So sure enough, she meets up with the younger brother of one of guys who was covering the game. He invites her over to another area - a cigar bar - which is smaller and only for hotel guests. So she went with him. We were not hotel guests, so we remained at the bar.

Meanwhile, we're just happy being there, drinking and watching the crowd, smiling, laughing, talking. Erin Andrews was talking to players casually, smiling, dressed to the nines, and the players enjoyed talking to her. Who doesn't like talking to a pretty girl? I don't remember what she was wearing - all I remember is she had stockings and really high high-heels. Of course, this was back when she worked for Comcast SportsNet, so she was covering the 'Skins exclusively back then. And so she basically knew all the players.

So it eventually got late and we called the limo driver and he agreed to come pick us up.

So somehow I get DLSF's attention that it's getting close to time to leave. And she doesn't want to leave, she's having too much fun. "How are you going to get back?" "I'll get a cab.", she responds. Well, she's a big girl. So we leave without her.

She got back to the hotel maybe an hour or two after I did.

The next morning, we have to run and start getting the tailgate set up, and while doing that she tells me about her evening. She was at a table there with various people, although she recognized very few of them. Everybody's talking among themselves, there are various conversations going on.

So sitting at the table some guy starts chatting her up. And she happily engages him in conversation. Can't blame the guy. Who doesn't like talking to a pretty college girl? And they're getting along very well. DLSF is great at conversation which is why she has thousands of friends. She's gifted in that way. She didn't get it from me.

They were chatting for quite some time. Some music was playing. He asked her to dance. Sure. They sit back down. They're still talking and getting along great. And as it turns out, this guy she was talking to was a player from the past. She didn't know it and she didn't catch on. Not knowing who he was, DLSF asked if he'd like to join us at the ES tailgate the following morning. And he indicated he was going to be busy the next day but she didn't catch on as to why. So he explained it to her by saying, "Well, I'm Doc Walker."

The conversation goes something like this:

DW: Well, I'm Doc Walker

DLSF: Good. Nice to meet you.

<pause>

DW: Uh, you know of me, right?

DLSF: Um, no. Sorry.

DW: I'm Doc Walker! You know. Number 88!

DLSF: Oh! Number 88! That's nice. Did you play for the Redskins?

DW: Of course I played for the Redskins! I'm Doc Walker! Look!

<he shows her his Superbowl ring>

DLSF: Wow!

DW: That's my Superbowl ring!

DLSF: Wow!

DW: I've got my own radio show!

DLSF: Oh! Your own radio show? Really?

DW: Of course! I'm Doc Walker!

DLSF: Good!

<pause>

DW: How could you not know who I am? I'm Doc Walker!

DLSF: Well, I guess it just means I like you for who you REALLY are!

DW: <speechless>



Note: I got DLSF's approval to tell this story

Welp, turns out my dad tells my stories better than I do! What a historian.

 

[RedWolf]

Funny about Canton...my son and I were hanging out with The Hogs most of the time. They even gave us a off hours tour of the HOF when it was closed to the public. Cool stuff like behind the scenes and backrooms etc. Went into DGs sisters trailer and bought some really cool stuff directly from DG himself. GREAT GUY!

DG was it there at the trailer and invited us in. He signed a bunch of cards for us and also sold us an autographed copy of the Sports Illustrated issue with him on the cover blocking the goal line pass versus the Vikings. He also included one of the two shoes that he wore during that game which was also autographed. He was very reasonably priced and he said that all of the money is going to his church.

AM was a complete arrogant dick. My son asked Art Monk "Mr Monk will you please sign my hall of fame card?" His response? "$400 kid"

 

[Darrell Green Fan]

Funny about Canton...my son and I were hanging out with The Hogs most of the time. They even gave us a off hours tour of the HOF when it was closed to the public. Cool stuff like behind the scenes and backrooms etc. Went into DGs sisters trailer and bought some really cool stuff directly from DG himself. GREAT GUY!

DG was it there at the trailer and invited us in. He signed a bunch of cards for us and also sold us an autographed copy of the Sports Illustrated issue with him on the cover blocking the goal line pass versus the Vikings. He also included one of the two shoes that he wore during that game which was also autographed. He was very reasonably priced and he said that all of the money is going to his church.

AM was a complete arrogant dick. My son asked Art Monk "Mr Monk will you please sign my hall of fame card?" His response? "$400 kid"

Interesting I had heard the opposite about Darrell Green, which broke my heart as he was my favorite player of all time. I heard he is like Snyder and asked to be referred to as Mr Green, he charged for every single autograph. Don't know much about how Art Monk is to the public.

And by the way Darrell Green never broke up that pass against the Vikes, it was dropped. Not sure why nobody has ever noticed that. And again Darrell is my favorite player of all time. Watch the replay and freeze it at 21 seconds, the ball is clearly coming out before Green made contact.

 

[Mark The Homer]

Oh yeah, you're right! BTW, after pausing on YT, you can move frame by frame by tapping the period key (>) or comma key (<) on your desktop keyboard. Few people know about that.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

AM was a complete arrogant dick. My son asked Art Monk "Mr Monk will you please sign my hall of fame card?" His response? "$400 kid"

Interesting. His son went to HS with my sister. They were in a fashion show together, and I met him in the lobby of the auditorium. My sister is 6 years younger than me, her senior year, so she was probably 18 and I was 24.

Walked over to him, said hello, I loved watching him play, and we chit chatted for a bit. He was totally cool. Granted I didn’t ask him to sign anything, and we were both basically just waiting around for the show to start, so it’s not like he had anything else to do.

I told my sister she should date Monk’s son. Sadly she chose not to do that.

On a related note, my daughter went to preschool with Ryan Zimmerman’s oldest daughter, and were really good friends from about 2 until 7. Then the Zimmerman’s moved and they lost touch. But we got to know Ryan a little bit, and Heather (wife) really well. Really great people.

Ryan caused a bit of a stir when he chaperoned the field trip of 4 year olds from the school to the post office. Chuckle.

EDIT TO ADD: the only other 2 famous people I’ve ever met are Sinbad, who I randomly rode in an elevator in Tyson’s II with while he was shooting something in the mall in the 80’s and Monica Seles. But Monica I met before she was famous, she had just been beaten at the Virginia Slims of DC event, was standing around after the match alone, and I went up and asked for her autograph. She was probably 14, and she’s 3 years older than me so I was 11. She laughed, asked why I wanted her autograph, (did sign it) and then walked off. 2 years later she won her first grand slam and was off to the races. I like to think I might be the first person to ask for her autograph.

 

[Mark The Homer]

I LOVED watching women's tennis back then.

Turn your volume up. WAY up.



Edit: I was a Capriati fan. She's an American, you know.

 

[Voice_of_Reason]

I LOVED watching women's tennis back then.

Turn your volume up. WAY up.

I did too. Ironically, I was a HUGE Steffi Graf fan. And was by the time I got Seles’ autograph. I had no idea how inextricably linked their careers and lives would be at that point.

Graf’s 1988 season is probably the best season of any athlete in the history of sport.

The late 80’s/early 90’s women had all the stories. Fun times.

Also ironic, I actively rooted against Andre Agassi. And they ended up married.

The. Serena came in and ruined everything. I am not a fan of hers at all. Huge fan of her big sis though. Venus was pure class while Serena was just a whining, complaining bad sport.

This should probably end the Tennis conversation. We’re a little off topic. 🤣