a church sign in Arkansas prior to the 1969 game.
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
- Vince Lombardi
When asked if Fayetteville was the end of the world. 'No, but you can see it from here.' - Lou Holtz / Arkansas ....
Bear Bryant's three rules for coaching:
1. Surround yourself with people who can't live without football.
2. Recognize winners. They come in all forms.
3. Have a plan for everything.
Football. The South. Fall.
Aren't those some comforting words y'all?
You may have noticed that I included several quotes in this entry. That's because I couldn't pick just one. Not all are from the South mind you, but indicative of the football loving spirit all the same (or the Arkansas spirit). Southerners see football differently. It's almost like a seasonal religion. Ask a local Southerner how they feel about it. Case in point, this evening (a Friday) I called my grandmother to chat for a while. It didn't occur to me that not only she, but also everyone else in my family, were at the local high school football game. Locals duking it out via pigskin on 100 yards of dirt and grass. Down in the Holler (hollow) is where my high school football team played ball. It's called that because it's kind of in a valley and when it gets cold outside, brother let me tell you, the Holler is usually a few degrees frigid. Might freeze something off just by attending a football game. That's where my love of football started though, right there in that valley field. That's where I learned to be a football fan and to follow the game. I became emotionally involved and team support became a part of my being.
Also, while I was in high school, I was greatly encouraged to support the state college football team, because few states have as much college team pride as Arkansas. The Arkansas Razorbacks are the biggest team in the state. It's not like there is a pro team to root for or even multiple college teams in division 1 so that fans can root against each other. Nope, just the one. So everywhere you go within our great state, you will find the red and white of the Razorbacks in the form of flags, stickers, yard Hogs (I'll attach a picture), t-shirts, caps, specially made Toms, jewelry, etc. ALL over the state. If you're wearing Texas or LSU watch your back (but not too seriously cause it's not like we're as crazy as the cajun fans of the great state of Louisiana. Seriously, there you have to watch your back. No offense LA friends. You know it's true.)
I attended my first ever Arkansas Razorback football game last weekend. (For shame I know, since I'm knocking on 25's door, but what can I do?) What. An. Experience. Too bad it wasn't against Alabama or LSU, cause we kicked some serious tail. No matter, a win is a win. The morale they have and level to which the serious Razorback fans take their pride is astonishing really. My roommate, who is from Los Angeles/Boston had never seen anything like the team pride shown on our college campus. She constantly reminds me how different that is from her home state(s). She loves the school spirit! As do I, however, I have a small confession....I would 10 times rather watch the Dallas Cowboys play football on TV than even be in the stadium to watch the Razorbacks play and that pretty much makes me a traitor. Especially since I now attend the University of Arkansas, so don't tell.
Since before I was born my father has been a Dallas Cowboys fan. Big time. When I was younger, I could have cared less about them, but after high school, I hopped on the band wagon. (Remember, football had become an integral part of my life by this time and I had to get my fix somewhere.) I attribute this to the fact that I did not attend the University of Arkansas for my undergraduate degree, but instead went to the University of Central Arkansas (where I did attend football games thank you very much). Therefore, I made it a point to support my university team (Go Bears!) and not the Razorbacks. I missed out on some crucial state college team support time during those four years because I came out of them a die hard Cowboys fan and even converted one or more of my roommates. (See, football IS like religion.) One game attendance, two jerseys (which I actually wear), a bit of Cowboy memorabilia, a tour of the new Cowboys Stadium, and a LOT of yelling at the TV makes me a true fan in my book. If I could afford to attend a game in the new stadium I would, but that's not happening for a while. I make it a point to watch them play every time and I see it through until the beautiful or ugly end. Emotional investment. We beat the Giants this Wednesday, by the way, and it was glorious. First win of football season belongs to the 'Boys! I'm with them win or lose, no matter how angry they manage to make me. Fandom: the act of being ridiculous over people you don't know who play a sport that does not make that much of a difference in the grand scheme of things. It's awesome!
So, visit your Southern state of choice this fall and get in on the football spirit! You can probably pick up a t-shirt or cap at the local Wal-Mart and you'll fit right in. Just act like you couldn't be more excited to be there and cheer when the local team scores. It will be an experience you'll never forget, I promise.
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