As my senior football season comes to a close, I have to reflect on what the past four years have meant to me. It all started with the Rebel Run at my first game freshman year and now it’s ending with the Texas A&M game. Win or lose, Ole Miss has been good to me. And I can’t thank everyone enough who has made these football seasons worth everything.
1. The Grove
Obviously the Grove had to be the first to miss on this list. The Grove is absolutely indescribable, but I’m going to attempt it anyway. The Grove is where happiness lives and will always stay. It’s where you can be a little bit of an idiot because everyone is being a little bit of an idiot. There’s always food and there’s always alcohol, and who doesn’t love that? People are kind and generous and we’re all there for the same reason — the Rebs.
2. Locking the Vaught
When that music comes on, you bet your ass I’m locking arms with whoever is next to me to welcome our Rebs on the field. Have I fallen off the bleachers because of this? Definitely. Do I regret it? Not in the slightest.
3. Actually watching the game
Do I watch football in my free time? Not necessarily. Do I love watching the Rebs play every weekend? Absolutely. There’s just something truly special about being surrounded by a group of people all cheering for the same team to win.
4. Beating Alabama
Oh baby, those words still taste sweet when you say them: “Remember when we beat Bama… twice?” We carried the goal posts like crazy people but we deserved it. No one else can say they beat Bama twice in a row and I will always brag about that forever. I’ll tell my children as a bedtime story one day.
5. Road Rebs
There’s nothing like caravanning to another school and trying to keep up with how they do things there. Away games are truly and experience that everyone should have.
6. It’s acceptable to drink from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
This is not socially acceptable outside of football season. If you can achieve this without dying, you’re a champion. It takes years to perfect, and sometimes even the veterans have a tough time.
7. Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s before 11 a.m. games
Sign me up, fam. Nothing gets an 11 a.m. game started other than mimosas and Bloody Mary’s. They wake you up and really get you in the mood to watch the Rebs.
8. The red pom-poms
Every game day, it’s a mini victory if you get your hands on a coveted red pom-pom to wave in the air however you please. I’ll miss you, sweet red pom-poms.