Your fanaticism fills me with shame

Sorry its been a while, and that this is the topic to bring me back.

I was born in Nebraska, but I've only been to one Husker game.  Up until last year I had never owned any Husker apparel.  I am, in a word, apathetic regarding sports in general.  I usually don't care about organized sports, nor the fans who follow them.  People put too much value in something vastly unimportant and fleeting.

Which is why it disgusts me to hear Nebraskans treating football as a religion.  Every week season ticket holders make their pilgrimage to the "mecca of college football."  And this year, every week numerous "fans" are disparaging the team.  Why?  Because the fans have forgotten the purpose of football at UNL.

This will come as a shock to some, but it is true.  I really don't care if some people don't like it.  The cold hard truth is that UNL does not exist to support Husker football.  The Huskers exist for the benefit of UNL.

Think about it.  Every fan attending a game adds to the funds available to the university.  Funds that go into educational and research programs.  Programs that turn out intelligent young men and women who can find solutions to the next problem the world faces.  The football program itself recruits young men to be scholar-athletes.  They are being "paid" by getting a world class education.  On the field they are learning sportsmanship and teamwork, which are much more valuable lessons than how to orchestrate a blow-out.

I have heard too many "fans" saying, essentially: "if they [the players] can't do their job, then they should be replaced."  The "job" of these 20-something year old men is to be students.  If you refuse to accept that, then perhaps you should watch something else.

Now, I'm all for athletes striving for their best, which means winning more than losing.  And I've nothing against fans expecting the team they support to be the best.  But sometimes the other team is better.  And no matter what, a true fan supports the student-player, regardless.  That is what used to make Nebraska great.  Get behind the team and be patient.

(Okay, enough ranting.  Lets move on and get to some fun topics.  And, Husker fans, don't make this a routine posting.  I, and you, have more important things to do than bicker about a game.)