Making my annual pilgrimage to worship among the masses in Knoxville I realized the importance of football. Not just to myself but to the entirety of the South.
I have heard it said that in the South the two most important things in life are God and football; and sometimes not in that order.
The ability of one sporting event to shape the actions and behaviors of regular ordinary people is amazing. I can attest to that statement myself after Saturday.
There on the streets of Knoxville and amongst the masses in Neyland I realized the blind devotion that fans, young and old, have for the team they love, or in my case, the team they love to hate.
It all began on my way to meet my friends to tailgate before the Tennessee vs. Florida game.
At a red-light a little boy dressed in orange from head to toe gave me the bird. A kid! As I drove past the vehicle the parents gave me a look like I shot the family dog; all because I was wearing the wrong colors – blue and orange.
Many hours and even more adult beverages later the verbal assault continued. I will have to say that hatred does not discriminate.
I received four-letter salutes from women, grandparents, children, and even my friends. In the stadium I was covered with what I’m hoping was beer. I guess they just thought I needed a shower. What a good group of people.
Its like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. I’m sure these people were docile on Friday night. At least I hope they weren’t spewing obscenities at complete strangers.
Yet, as Friday gave way to Saturday centuries of civilized conduct gave way to the fanaticism that can only be found on a college campus.
Even I wasn’t immune to the power of the pigskin as I referred to everyone in orange as inbred and illiterate. Even my usually classy girlfriend gave way to the mob mentality that ran wild through Knoxville Saturday night.
Just as quickly as the moment came, it passed. And like the Incredible Hulk who cannot remember the moments he acted out of rage, I too can barely remember the craze placed upon me by one of the South’s most time honored traditions: Football.
All I can really say is “What the @$#!.

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