Lots of Caps fans will throw on a jersey, wear a hat, or sleep under a logo-emblazoned comforter to show support for their favorite team. Other fans are more extreme – such as RMNB reader J.R. Ebling. Earlier in the season, Ebling told us his story about how he had Alex Ovechkin autograph his wrist at a season-ticket holder event. Later he had it tattooed onto his body.
I recently met Caps super fan Paige L. She also has a Caps tattoo, but it’s not what you think. It’s so subtle and brilliant, I wanted her to share her story.
Paige writes:
Over the past year and a half I’ve become not only obsessed with hockey in general, but completely enamored with the Capitals. For me, getting the coordinates of the Verizon Center as my first tattoo was a no-brainer. I’m not the type of person to boldly get a Caps logo tattooed on my body, particularly in a highly-visible spot.
The Verizon Center coordinates offered me a more subtle way to pay homage to a team that has brought me joy (as well as some tears) and promises to bring me many more joyful (and tearful) nights. I chose to get the tattoo on my side under my right arm, as it would be an easy place to hide if a future job required no tattoos.
As for getting the actual tattoo, after confirming that the coordinates I had found on Wikipedia were correct, I went to Bethesda Tattoo in Bethesda, Maryland. I went on a Saturday for a walk-in appointment with Christian (who is amazing by the way and if anyone is looking for a tattoo artist I highly recommend him) and dragged my mom along.
She ended up getting almost as excited as I was, and took a million pictures during the whole process. Going into it the one thing that was worrying me was how much it would hurt, however it hurt a lot less than I expected. Granted it DID hurt, but it was over in what felt like 5 minutes (it was eight).
Ever since I got my tattoo, I’m still not 100% used to seeing it in the mirror. Though it never fails to make me smile. Hopefully it will continue to serve as a good luck charm for the Caps in the playoffs!
As an artist, I just think this is so cool. The typography looks good, the tattoo is mysterious and has a story, and it’s not gaudy and can be hidden. Plus the idea of Verizon Center symbolizes where all her best memories with the team have happened.
If I were ever to get a tattoo, I would do something similar to what Paige did. I’ve tossed around the idea to my wife of getting a black silhouette of the Stanley Cup tattooed under my wrist if the Caps ever do that thing I really want them to do but am not saying because I don’t want to jinx them.
