Monday, November 15, 2010

south of the Mason-Dixon line

 If a trip to a sporting event south of the Mason-Dixon line doesn't launch you into a philosophical explanation of human nature, then I don't know what will. While the majority of the United States take place in typical autumn Saturday activities such as watching cartoons, raking leaves, and eating hot chocolate....the Southern United States are overcome by a greed and competition fest that is unmatched by any other in the history of mankind. But before I explain myself, you must grasp a geographical explanation of the area I am speaking of.




To begin with, the season of fall in the South is more like a continuation of summer. That is, the thermostat doesn't even approach the 50's until mid-October. As Southern people check their weekend forecast as they prepare for a football game, they will often see that it is snowing in Pittsburgh. (Bless their hearts) But I am getting side-tracked...

Popular sports in the South consist of football, football, and football. Maybe baseball when football season ends. But not always. Most true fans are already looking at recruitment and summer practices as soon as the National Championship ends in January.

A typical college campus in the fall is decked out in school colors, crowds of rabid fans, and trash talking like you wouldn't believe. Often the baseball and soccer field parking lots are completely over run by an army of campers proudly bearing the college logo. Fans set up tents, bring out their grills, and then proceed to sit around drinking beer and talking about their team in terms that an outsider would think they were referring to either a dearly loved child, or an annoying in-law. In other words, true fans are obnoxiously proud of their team, but also have the ability to cut their team down in a most appalling manner.

My earliest memories are of the University of Alabama fight song being posted on our refrigerator and being forced to learn every word. I also remember asking for an Alabama cheerleading outfit every Christmas until approximately the ripe old age of 12. I remember going to games as a child, decked out with an Alabama shirt, sweatshirt, face paint, crimson and white ribbons in my hair, pom poms in my hand, and pom poms sticking out of every possible place on my person. I remember trotting along as fast as possible while my grandfather barreled toward the stadium, carrying his seat cushions and his radio headpiece. I most distinctly remember crying after losing to LSU in over time after a previously undefeated season.



Wait a second - crying? Yes. Crying. My grandfather always goes outside to do yard work when Bama is losing...we always joke about it, but crying and doing yardwork could possibly be the sign of heart issue.

Wait just another second - a heart issue? Relax a little, we are talking about college football here. Exactly! College football, where a rabid fan will blow $1500 for one ticket to a game. College football, where friendships and relationships will be put under pressure and sometimes even hurt because of the competitive nature. College football, where coaches will lie, cheat, and steal to get the player they desire. College football, where even the FBI will get called in to investigate cases of foul play. College football, where people will storm the field, burn monuments, and foster bitterness and anger in their hearts when their team loses.

My dad always quotes Matthew by saying "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also". I may not have a lot of money and earthly riches, but i surely do treasure the athletic program at the University of Alabama. there is a fine line between enjoying something, and idolizing it. And that is my challenge to all football fans of the world - put your treasure in heaven, not on the 50 yard line.
Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...