So why not just let it all out
right?
Ok, here we go.
I absolutely, positively, cannot
stand Nebraska football. I know, I know, most of you
out there feel this same passion towards the Hawkeyes. I, however, feel it
towards Nebraska.
You see, growing up in a small
town in western IOWA, which is largely dominated by Husker
Nation, the endless taunts and complaints of being “screwed” by the refs really
take a toll on a 12 year old kid.
Here’s my beef. It’s not all
Nebraska fans.
It’s certain ones. If you’re from Nebraska,
have family from Nebraska or went to school in
Nebraska, then
I’m down with you. But if you are an Iowan, with no ties to Lincoln, then you’re
a traitor to your state.
Ok, maybe traitor is a little bit
harsh. Traitor is a big word when talking about sports. Sports are fun, and so
is this rivalry. But that’s what bothered me the most growing up as a kid. I was
surrounded by Husker fans, who simply rooted for them because it was convenient.
Why would you root for the Clones
back in the day? They were a terrible football team. Iowa was a consistent 7-4
team up until the end of the Fry era. Why would you actually have pride and root
for your home state? Oh I remember, they live an hour from the border and you
could very easily root for a national title contender. Being a Nebraska fan is about as
easy as cheering for the boat to sink in Titanic.
Luckily, I never fell into that
trap. I grew up essentially feeling that Husker fans were about as annoying as
those shirtless hippies playing hacky sack outside of the Parks Library. Just
like hearing native-Iowa Huskers rip on their own state’s teams, those hippies
get on my nerves.
One thing is for sure, to me at
least. There is nothing, and I mean NOTHING, like sticking it to Nebraska, the new or old
regime.
Ok, now I have to be even more
honest with you and not to mention a complete hypocrite. I have to give the
Husker Nation some love. I have never been to an opposing team’s stadium where I
was treated with more respect then in Lincoln, Neb.
Those people are a class act, most
of them at least.
Last year’s game was before my
prime here at CN. I attended the game with my father and we went on to tailgate
with a lot of the Cyclone players’ families. We more or less got out of our car,
and dozens of Husker fans were shaking our hands, offering us drinks, and just
flat out having a good time.
I know I was hard on them in that
first section of this column, but that was to a distinct section of the fan
base.
If you ever want to go watch the
Clones play a road game, go to Lincoln. Not only will you see a big time
college football atmosphere, but you’ll get treated with a ton of respect from
people who absolutely love the game of football.