Options abound for void left behind

Chargers fans, understandably, may not know what to do with themselves now that the team has made its move to Los Angeles official. For many following the NFL team has been a lifelong Sunday tradition, something they did with their family and close friends every week from late summer to early winter. Now that their team is gone, now what?
Mr. Helpful at your service.

Fans of the game should not have a problem with continued enjoyment. The game is as much a part of the American identity as apple pie, obesity and income disparity. From pee wee football to NFL Sunday, there are enough games to view in person, online and on TV to keep any gridiron aficionado happy from now until the viewer’s ultimate blackout.
For the casual observers, those who liked to watch the game with friends because it was a pleasant way to enjoy a few beers and cheer — who looked at it as more of an opportunity to socialize — try the other futbol. English. Or German, though Italian, Spanish and Mexican offer viable alternatives.

But it’s in following the English teams, those who play soccer in the English Premier League, where fans have the greatest opportunity to watch the beautiful game while throwing back ales, stouts and Bloody Marys as early as 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Drink a beer that early at home and you’re a drunk. But drink a beer for breakfast at a pub while watching a futbol game broadcast from Europe and you are part of an established global culture. You are sophisticated.

For those Chargers fans who wanted a way to show their civic pride there are plenty of other teams in town to root and holler for, including the SDSU Aztecs, Padres, San Diego Sockers, Albion Pros FC, North County Battalion, Chula Vista FC, San Diego Sea Lions and The Zest, to name a few.

Most of these teams may not be at the marquee level that the Chargers were while they wore San Diego on their sleeves, but the men and women who play sports at varying degrees of professionalism in this town do it for love of the game and not for exorbitant contracts. (And their ownerships probably won’t try to shake down taxpayers and municipalities for massive subsidies any time soon).

For those who looked at it as a way for the family to spend time together, now they will have an opportunity to do so at home where the seats are always premium, the food is cheap and, presumably, there are no long lines for foul smelling bathrooms.

And for those fans who looked at Chargers Sunday as “me time,” a way to escape the spouse, partner or family, there are parks, libraries and museums where they can be just as isolated as they would be if they  were a Chargers fan at Qualcomm stadium when they were playing the Raiders. Or Chiefs. Or Steelers, or…