Norfolk is lucky to have more than a handful of passionate community members. Ask any given one what they love about the city, and they’ll name off a few of their favorite things. However, ask a passionate community member what the city could be doing better, and they’ll hardly miss a beat before diving into of few hours of highly detailed imperfections.

My fellow passionate community members, our city, has plenty of pundits and analysts — people who point out what we need to do better. We’re in desperate need of a few more mascots.

What’s the difference between a mascot and an analyst? Both know all the players and watch every game. Both know the teams’ weak spots and have a few solutions in mind.

However, in sports, the mascots are the true mega fans of their team. No matter how bad the mistakes, no matter how weak the offense, or how empty the stands the mascot continues to cheer at the top of their lungs. The mascot continues to root as though that’s the best team in the world. The mascot isn’t dumb, it knows when things look bad. Nonetheless, the mascot commits to over the top enthusiasm and undying loyalty. There are no qualifiers. There’s no ifs, ands, or buts. The mascots team is the best team ever. Period.

The mascot knows that someone has to play the role of the over the top fan, someone has to hoist the flag and fly it for the good of the team and for the benefit of the fans. It’s a hard role but a necessary one. We need a few more of our most passionate citizens to be our city’s mascots.

This doesn’t mean sit down and stop complaining. Mascots don’t do that. We want you loud and proud — front and center. You’ll need to have faith that the pundits and the analysts will raise the criticisms you have. Mascots keep those close to the chest.

Our team needs your praise, Mascot. Your team needs someone to never give up hope and always to lead the rallying cry. Our city needs you to show up to every game wearing the team colors. We just need a little more celebrating our wins and that takes a few mascots.