A look at one fan's opinion,...and then of course, mine....
Fan:"Disagree. I don't think there is a fine line separating any serious fan's team from at least a part of their identity. What we do and believe become apart of all of us. The huskers are struggling and have had much much better years. There is no telling how many factors come into play each week (and beyond that) that have lead to these results. Yet speculate and call our team "pathetic clowns?" Those pathetic clowns are a part of us. I understand that you enjoy the argument and like to get people riled up. You have taken just as much, probably much more psych than I have... But I am more concerned/interested in what this is all about for you?... Because whatever it is, it seems to be becoming a part of you, with the blog, play by play facebook posts bagging on something many of us still believe in and are rooting for. I think you have found yourself in the minority (an even smaller vocal minority), painted into a corner. Is this worth it?"
DO:"Is it worth it? Sure. Its fun. Its supposed to be fun. I dont understand how people can have so much of their identity wrapped up into an athletic team. Actually its kind of an unhealthy amount of their identity that is defined by a bunch of 18-21 year old under achieving football players. There should be a HUGE DISTINCT line separating some one's identity from something they are a fan of. For example, I'm a huge fan of watching old reruns of friends episodes. I'm entertained by it, and if i cross an episode when I am flipping through the channels, I'll probably watch it. But in no way does this define my identity. Chandler Bing and Ross Geller have no bearing on my own identity or personality. IT IS ENTERTAINMENT, exactly like sports....But it doesn't define me. Now i understand how beliefs, morals, practices, etc can define a person. These are areas that are much more than pure entertainment. But really how healthy is it to have your character defined like i said by a bunch of 18-21 year old college students? So much so, that people become extremely offended when there is criticism made this team. So the entertainment value of seeing husker fans' heads nearly explode because the team is under achieving.....yes it is very much worth it; because we are talking about a sporting event! Something designed for entertainment purposes. Tell me it isn't satisfying for you when you saw a Missouri player crying on television after the huskers beat his team on national tv. honestly, you didn't get any satisfaction out of that? being a person who apparently defines at least a part of himself by how a football team performs, i bet you had some satisfaction, in spite of the pain that individual was feeling. well, its the same with me. It is somewhat satisfying seeing reality finally hit some husker fans square in the nose. Let's just hope these lessons result in a couple more husker fans having a more realistic outlook."
Glad you clarified "a part of their identity" as "so much of their identity." Back to your analogy.... Never have we built stadiums that hold over 85,000 people complete with monster big screens to watch a popular sitcom. The comparison to watching old Friends episodes as you flip across them is pretty weak. College football is a live ritualistic competition, not a sitcom we commit 30 min to weekly to chuckle at... at least not for most of us. People believe in and root for the teams that represent their location or Alma mater, that is what makes this entertainment (college football) fun and engaging for most people. I am a little confused to where you stand exactly. I read your last blog and you seem to be fairly objective and dedicated to identifying the problems/mistakes the huskers are making, (something I and probably most husker fans are interesting in reading) I enjoyed it and your insight. But you have also been on the very opposite end of the spectrum bagging on husker players, fans, their belief and dedication. And lets not single out the husker fans, you know that this level of dedication exists with many of the programs throughout the country... and all other countries with their representing athletic teams. Shit people have killed each other after the results of a particular play... blog about how ridiculous that is. Instead much of it is about how stupid, naive and unrealistic husker fans are for not giving up on their team. I will continue to be a fan now and if we do any better. I will wear red and watch the games each week whenever I can. BTW did you ever dress up as Ross for Halloween?
ReplyDeleteI see a very subtle difference/tone here. In you rebuttal to this comment.
ReplyDelete1) They are just college KIDS!
"No, they are young adults. Individuals the same age as these football player are allowed to go to war and die for their country. We do not call those individuals KIDS. These ADULTS are also receiving a free education, to play football. I paid for my education, and guess what, I can throw a lousy three yard pass play incomplete (a la Zack Lee). Should I get a scholarship for it? Please..."
You are correct. There is a different tone. College students are not kids; like I said in the above post. And then I went on to later insinuate that we should not be influenced by a "bunch of college students" on a football team. I really hope you are not comparting division I college football players to individuals of the same age. I trust that not what you are doing. There is a huge difference between people running around on a field, and those over seas fighting to protect the beliefs, values, morals, and beliefs of people within the United States, (even when many people within this country don't support that cause.) So like i have said, things that do influence people and should influence people include those beliefs, morals, religius practices, etc. These are far from the entertainment value that sports provide for us. So yes, different tone, for obvious reasons.
ReplyDeleteAnd to comment our your pointing out of the fact that many people in several contries have been killed over results of sporting events...you are right. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. However, I think the following post from the facebook wall shows that "HUSKER NATION" may not be too far off from that.
ReplyDeleteSteff says: "Letting something like football define who you are is fine besides the fact that you are sitting on a couch (or in the stadium) watching with no real interaction or affect on the outcome of the game. As much as I love the Huskers and love college football a bunch of 20 year old kids running into each other does not define the person I am or the things I do. The Huskers winning or losing does not make me a better person and I fail to see how your identity can ride on how these boys play. You say these boys are "a part of us" so is what they do off the field a part of you too? I sure hope not. Also, its pretty ridiculous that football becomes such a major part of people's life that when the Huskers lose the domestic violences rate significantly increases in Lincoln. Don't get me wrong I love football and Cole annoys the piss out of me with his constant Husker-bashing. But to say it defines who you are and is a part of who are you is a scary thought. I know I don't want to get beat by my husband because part of his "identity" had 8 turnovers and lost to a pathetic Iowa State team..."
Since I didn't directly write that on your blog I don't think you should be able to use my blog name...plus I have copy rights on that post so you now owe me a million dollars...good thing you have the rest of your life to pay me. I expect half of it in diamonds.
ReplyDeleteSteff, wouldn't that count as Intellectual Property, instead of copyright infringement?
ReplyDeleteOh please.... Lets make a causal relationship between increases in domestic violence and the huskers losing!!!???? Right. More likely an incr in alcohol consumption to cause an incr with any type of violence (which would likely be any fri/sat night, New years, superbowl etc). I would enjoy seeing your source for that information. Do you have a reference or a link we could follow? And here is a "scary thought," there are countless things that shape our identity, to think or infer that the a football team can "define" who a person is or become a "major part of people's lives," is ridiculous. Also I don't think it's true in the context of which you said/meant it (aside from a player on the team, the coaches, athletic admin, etc...) everyone else is just a fan, like me, with varying levels of dedication and loyalty.... speaking of... where is the Baylor Bears logo this wk buddy? Well I have to be done with this soon... I gotta step out of this sandbox. See ya kids.
ReplyDeleteMight check in with the DO later if he continues to dedicate the time and well thought words in regards to the facts and/or his opinions. Really have enjoyed most of it thus far.
actually all quotes that are not posted directly here come straight from the facbook page. No doctoring or taking it out of context. If you don't believe me. Please check for youself. If you don't have me as a friend, feel free to add and you can see for yourself. Also, I appreciate the following. Keep checking back.
ReplyDelete