“In football everything is complicated by the presence of the opposite team.” ―
Well, yes, the end of the brutal summer is always a welcome turn of the season. But summer doesn’t actually end here in Texas until after Thanksgiving. The season that arrives at the end of each August that brings me so much joy is college football and all the angst and joy that comes with it.
Football season for us was a time of family reunion
Our daughter was the first grandchild in the family for many years. Each fall, meeting up in Waco for football games was a mini reunion. We were in San Antonio and then Houston and her grandparents were in Dallas. The football game therefore had a much larger purpose. I reminded myself of this during those losing seasons. Forty years later, I am able to attend games and meet up with dear friends who are part of my larger family now. It’s still a reunion each Saturday. Now that I’ve moved to a new city a month ago, I will need to be ever more deliberate about making connections with “family” from Houston and all around. My problem has always been that I get too caught up in the game and end up missing all my connections!
“When everything goes to hell, the people who stand by you without flinching — they are your family. ” ―
Football season meant remembering a mythic past
Going back to campus each fall always includes some time walking around and remember the past. We all have biases that distort our thinking – no one can escape these. One is called the “rosy retrospective.” When we think about the past, typically we mostly remember the good times. That’s the healthy way that we keep from getting bogged down in negatives we can’t control.
We have a world-famous homecoming weekend every year. That made the annual family reunion an even bigger gathering that included friends from all over. The rituals and events made the football game just one of a busy three days/nights of fun. I’m anxious for my seven-year-old grandson to be old enough to stay up late for his first bonfire. His sister isn’t far behind. It’s coming, they get older each year. It’s funny how that happens.
Those trips with our daughter, walking around campus and sharing memories added up over the years. Football games were and continue to be more than a sports event. Now that my family has moved out of town and I’m living alone, attending football games each year have evolved. I try to recruit alums from work, even alums from the other team, and friends with children soon to be college age. A great experience that’s bigger than the game in all kinds of ways for everyone. I just need to cool it as the over-the-top tour guide.
Football season was always joining with so many others in a common cause
My school is small enough that over the years you become familiar with the groups around you at games and events. One of my frustrations is that every time I’m there all I seem to see are people from church and not enough friends from the past! One year we went to the Holiday Bowl in San Diego. I was shocked at all the alumni gathered there. I didn’t recognize a single face. Later I learned that after Texas, California sends the most students to Baylor.
Human beings are drawn to causes. We behave differently when we are in large crowds. The stadium experience is a unique event that’s not at all like watching at home on your own. That’s probably why we like to have watch parties or go out to join with others – the chances of winning always increase with a larger, louder crowd.
“It’s just a game,’ we say, trying to convince ourselves of a truth we do not believe.” ―
Have you seen on TV some of the painted-up college students on the front rows? Take a look at adults at an NFL game – all dressed up in glorious costumes pushing their teams to victory. Cheering, screaming, yelling, chanting, singing are all a unique part of the stadium experience for fans. Since ancient days, people have been gathering in large groups to create something special. How do those Green Bay Packer fans sitting in below zero snow get themselves fired up?
Football season always works best when we’re winning
“An atheist is a man who watches a Notre Dame – Southern Methodist University game and doesn’t care who wins.” ―
It’s a miserable experience to keep losing. My father-in-law was a classic example of the perfect fan. Rain or shine, he never uttered a word of complaint. He remained true blue and an example for all the rest of us about how to always act as a loyal alum, even though wins were far and few between. He has gone to heaven now, and I think of him at every game, wishing he was here so I could tell him how much his life mattered to all of us. I’m so happy his last years were glorious winning seasons for his team.
Me, on the other hand, I’m a raving lunatic when things go south. You don’t want to be sitting next to me after another fumble or quarterback sack. But when we win, I’ve never been happier. In fact, I’m a real jerk toward everyone else in the conference. Someone just needs to get me to the car quick, win or lose.
My daughter and I are heading off to the first game of the season today. We are starting a new tradition now that I live up here down the street, the dad and daughter game. The annual joy is here because the season has arrived. But I think today it’s my favorite time because she and I will get to share it together (win or lose). But we better win!
“Why would I want to win anything other than a beautiful game?” ―
The Invisible Man 