a tribute for the truly inspiring chief zee

Sometimes you come across people, and you know you love them, but maybe you don't realize how inspiring they really are until they're gone.

As I sit here reminiscing on every Redskins tailgate last year, when I got the chance to meet the great Chief Zee, I'm realizing how much of an idol, role model, hero he truly is. Sure, he was "the biggest Redskins super fan ever," but he was so much more than that, and these are the things I'm going to write down and keep at my desk thanks to him:

• He found something he loved, and stuck with it forever. Through the [very little] good and the [lots of] bad, no matter what. 
• He was proud, SO proud, of what he loved. That's such a great characteristic to have.
• Most importantly: He was friendly. For DECADES he'd go to the games and take a picture with every fan he could. He'd talk to them. He'd experience things with them. He didn't have to do any of that, but he did, without hesitation. Maybe he wanted everyone to love the games the way he did, or maybe he was as interested in everyone as they were him... either way, it was always a pleasant meeting that I experienced. 

One of the last games, not only did he take another picture with me, but we had a little dance party for a solid 30 seconds. He was jumping and spinning with me before whispering in my ear "you're gonna kill me girl!" I'm not gonna lie, I got hella nervous and then realized I was dancing with a 70-something year old man and cherished all of it even more. Still, it wasn't until tonight that I started looking more into everything he's done. I'm checking everyone's tweets, what he's accomplished, etc. He's leaving the most positive legacy. 

Getting ready for the game remembering this epic moment @luvelizabethany had with the #ChiefZee last weekend. #HTTR!!!

A video posted by HOT 99.5 (@hot995) on Dec 26, 2015 at 11:39am PST

He may be "just a superfan," but did you know there's a Chief Zee Day in DC on November 7? That happened in 1985. How about the fact he lived on Social Security, and relied on fans to help him pay rent, while receiving his motorized scooter from Dan Snyder? He may not have been an "official mascot," but he had the support of every Redskins fan and player. 

I also learned tonight that he was beat up by Eagles fans back in the day, leaving him with a broken leg. Someone later stole his tomahawk, but got it back with the help of Chris Cooley. None of that stopped him from going to the games and being such a kind and friendly soul to everyone he encountered. 

Sometimes people piss me the hell off and sometimes I just want my own space, but ultimately, meeting new people is my favorite thing to do... and Chief Zee is motivation for brushing off the annoyances and staying kind and genuine all the time [but like, I'll still tease people and give honest opinions, of course]. 

So thank you Chief Zee for the memories and the thoughts I'm having tonight. I guarantee you no Redskins family will ever forget you, and we'll tell our kids about you, like my family always did to me before I met you. 

 love,
elizabethany

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watch: radio peeps from all over remember kidd kraddick

When Kidd Kraddick passed away a couple weeks ago, it was interesting to see how it affected the entire world. It was inspiring to see how it affected everyone. Listeners, celebrities, his competition, and radio "peeps" from all over were feeling the pain.

Personally, I was obsessed with listening and watching to a bunch of his old segments and reading all the tributes. It also put a spark in me to put more effort into my show and what I'm doing every day. I've been given a voice and a platform, and I should use it for good as much as possible.

A lot of people in radio felt that way. Our tweets were different. Our shows were a little different... we are all different. My friend Jay Sparxx, who broadcasts down in Charlotte, decided to get us all together on one video to talk about how we had been changed/affected, and what Kidd meant to our lives.

From Virginia Beach to DUBLIN, check out the tribute:

It really makes you think about how you'll be remembered when you leave. It also makes me wanna come up with a better sign-off than "you're welcome." Hmmm.....

My heart still hurts for the entire show, his listeners, and especially Tim. I'm also very thankful to know Tim [once again] because everything that I know about Kidd beyond his show is because of him telling me stories and all the ways he helped him. Thanks again, Tim.

love,
elizabethany

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because you want to know: chris brown's mj tribute

I've been pretty outspoken about this Chris Brown[/Rihanna] thing since the beginning. It's created quite the controversy and I can only imagine how many people I may piss off now that I'm in a conservative state.

Anyway- I don't have to explain what I thought then. You can look it up if you're interested. :)

What we shall talk about is the absolutely amazing tribute Chris did for Michael Jackson at the BET Awards last night. If you somehow missed it, watch it now-

I think it was extraordinary. [Woo! There's a new word for me!] Chris is about as close as you're going to get [minus the little 4 year old Asian boy] to dancing like Mike, and he's clearly got the passion.

A lot of people are saying they think he faked the breakdown. That's dumb. You can't fake a breakdown that serious. That's genuine. That's him feeling something and relating to MJ and mourning his death. He was actually about to sing, not lip sync, but he couldn't. It was a magical moment. You can't fake that kind of magic.

I think Chris may have felt a connection with Michael Jackson that I've noticed between the two. [Here is where people are going to get mad.]

MJ's family have been trying to get it through everyone's heads how wrong it is that the world as a whole didn't show him the kind of respect he deserved while he was alive because of the "child molester" reputation he got. He got a bad rap and people wouldn't look past it.

Rumors circulated and "proof" was given that he was doing bad things to kids, and suddenly the world turned on the King of Pop. His music stopped having the same effect on many people. They started saying his lyrics were fake. This all happened even though no one truly knows what did or didn't happen. He was even acquitted, but the image remained.

Does this sound familiar to you? Chris Brown may or may not have been 100% at fault for the Rihanna incident. We don't know what happened. Only the two of them know the full story. Either way, Chris is taking the blame, doing community service, and watching his career fade into the sunset.

Sure, Chris Brown probably won't be some legendary King of R&B or anything... And yes, the bruises prove that something happened. Either way- He's an incredible artist, dancer, entertainer, and person. He still has a lot to share with the world, but many people want him gone.

It's not fair that people judged Michael Jackson on things that might have happened and now he'll never really know how appreciated he was. I think Chris sees this. He hears the Jackson family. He feels their pain and he fears it'll happen to him.

I could be making this up, but I don't think I'm too far off. I think it's time to let go of what happened in the past and let these people make music that we all know we still love, regardless of who they are.

/sermon. Cue the arguments.

love,
elizabethany