The end of each year means the beginning of a new one, and most people celebrate this occasion with streamers, party hats, and fireworks. But for some of us, this time of year greets us with a haunting sadness. We have to say a brutal, heart wrenching, painful goodbye around this time of year. A goodbye that hurts more than most.
A goodbye to college football.
Whether your team is still playing at this bittersweet time of year or not doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is that the community of athletes and fans across the country are coming together for one last time, singing each fight song one last time, and cheering on the boys of fall one last time.
But then, eight months later, something magical happens. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why I’m here today. This magic is infectious and it is truly what gets us through those long spring and summer days. The air begins to have a different aroma, people start smile more frequently, and there’s a feeling of comradeship not often felt.
That magic is the return of college football.
That magic is finally here.
That magic starts this weekend.
The teams have been working hard all summer long to get stronger, faster and more equipped to beat the unbeatable. To show their fans that they are even more capable of victory then they once thought. To huddle up and run out of the smoky tunnel surrounded by thousands and thousands of the screaming people who love them most in the this world.
The return of college football means the return of tailgating, the return of singing your fight song and alma mater at the top of your lungs, and ultimately the return of full life to college campuses nation wide. The return of high-fiving each and every member of the team after the game, win or lose. The return of celebrating the victories and feeling the pain of the losses with each coach, player, student, and parent.
College football season is back, and it’s time to get ready for whirlwind of this weekend. Pre-order the pizza. Go ahead and just put your TV on ESPN to make sure you don’t miss a second of the action. Wear your jersey to class and work all week long. Paint your face. It. Is. Time.
It’s been a long eight months. We survived, we thrived, and the wait is finally over. Don’t take a moment of this incredible season for granted, because in the blink of an eye it’ll be time for the National Championship and another hard goodbye.
Happy college football season, my friends.
