Zema Williams, known as Chief Zee, cheers the Washington Redskins at a recent game. MIKE MORONES/THE FREE LANCE-STAR Visit the Photo Place

Games Redskins Fans Play

Remember Redskins' blackouts? Fredericksburg motels benefited. By Donnie Johnston

Date published: 11/22/2008

TIMES CHANGE, and some- times when you look back you can't believe things really happened that way.

I was watching the Redskins-Cowboys game the other night by a roaring fire when I happened to recall the times when Fredericksburg motels would do a brisk business on Sundays when the Redskins were at home or their games didn't sell out.

Now just the fact that the Redskins didn't sell out tells you right away that this story goes back a long time.

Until 1973, all home games were blacked out (and no other NFL games could be shown) to make sure the stands were full. After that, all home games that weren't sold out 72 hours in advance were not televised within 75 miles of the stadium.

Thus, it was a major tragedy in the 1960s when the 'Skins were home and you didn't have a ticket or when there were empty seats in RFK Stadium after 1973.

Both meant that Washington's CBS affiliate couldn't carry the contest, and the folks who could get only Washington TV channels couldn't see the game.

Redskins fans back then were just as crazy as they are now, and some people just couldn't stand knowing that the Washington game was on television somewhere and they couldn't see it.

So several fans--and these were usually men--would get together, drive to Fredericksburg, get a motel room and watch the game.

But Fredericksburg was within the 75-mile blackout radius, you say.

Yes, but Fredericksburg got the Richmond TV stations and Richmond was outside the blackout radius, so they could show the games.

Of course, if you had a friend or relative in Fredericksburg who got the Richmond channels you might head there for a Sunday visit. Many distant cousins were reunited on blackout Sundays when Northern Virginia relatives--all football fans--came to call.

But if you didn't have a friend or a relative who got the Richmond TV stations, the most prudent thing to do was get together with several of your buddies and get a motel room in Fredericksburg.

It likely was a curious sight to some to see four or five men rent a room, disappear inside with snacks and drinks and then emerge after a three-hour afternoon stay.

'HISTORIC VIRGINIA LANDMARKS': Gingerbread House Contest and Exhibit, Ferry Farm, 268 Kings Highway, Stafford County. The theme for this year's contest is "Historic Virginia Landmarks." Entries accepted Nov. 30-Dec. 5. Exhibit opens Dec. 6. Entry fee is $5. Contest rules and entry form: ferryfarm.org or 540/370-0732, ext. 24.

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Date published: 11/22/2008