An article was brought to my attention this weekend that just so happen to come from an airplane magazine, you know, those ones that are stuffed in the seat back in front of you. I'm sure anyone who flew as a child remembers entertaining themselves with the "Sky" catalogue of treasures, well this particular article came from, "American Way," and was titled, "You're Wasting Your Time". Below it was printed, "college football fans are a crazy bunch who will do just about anything to cheer on--or even make-- their favorite (bad) team." Not only did the print draw me in but then I saw it, a huge image of my very own schools football team, The University of Georgia, and familiar faces of students celebrating, in gusto, over the hedges. (also the one pictured here, for dramatic effect)
I continued on to read a very immaturely written piece about one mans experience at a UGA game, one in which his wife shed a tear because the Dawgs lost. Not only is he sarcastic and condescending in the worst ways but, if I knew his wife, I would advise she up and leave someone who doesn't understand the love, tradition, connection and belonging that is rooted in a college football team. I am one of four brothers, two of which played high school football. I will never forget watching them play nor will I forget seeing the honor they felt from wearing the jersey. I believe this same affect plays on in college football, giving the people, students and faculty something to believe in and creating a culture of support in one another.
The author of said article, whom I have chosen to remain un-named, identities himself as a sportswriter and goes on to further condemn not only the fandom of college football but the sport itself compared to the NFL. He even goes on to refer to our dedicated fans as "overheated zealots," at which point I realized, he obviously didn't have a very good college experience. This article is basically just a guy, who is still a little hurt about not getting to feel the unique feeling that I only can describe as "Friday night lights" or "Saturdays in Athens," and for that I pity him.
The controversy between college football and the NFL has been debated for years and will mostly likely remain unresolved, but what can't be doubted is differing end-games that reside in the players, coaches and teams in NFL and college, respectively. Players in the NFL are drafted, jumping from team to team via free agency and unpaid college athletes choose their schools, bonding the players and the fans on a new level. The author of the article strives to prove the "unworthy pursuit" of college football due to the ways national champions have been selected and goes on to damn his own profession in a awkward account of how sportswriters are only there for the free lunch and free miles. This all might be true, but my wish is for this journalist is to realise the unprofessional implications and wrongness of his writing, as well as the way in which he is discrediting himself. I'm sure not going to be persuaded to his opinion now that I know he, and all sportswriters, opt for the low life. All football players are celebrities but professional players exploit it, where as college players are celebrities in their own right. Although I refuse to aid to the Jacob Eason hype until he proves himself worthy, there is a different dynamic that brings the players on our level, able to focus on nothing but the sport of football itself and which now a days is more important than ever. So, Go Dawgs, and keep being the "lovely folks who lose their minds between September and January," because those are the best kinds.
