Jude 2

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http://www.whnt.com/global/story.asp?s=7016315


What happens if Mr. Saban messes up. That child will have to deal with the stigma of that name for the rest of his life. And "Tyde?" Give me a break!

There was an article in the local newspaper the other day with a picture of a man and his two sons on a football field. The field was named after his father, and he is a coach. His two sons play football. And, one of his sons is named Bryant. I wondered it the sons were truly interested in football or if the father and grandfather just pushed them into it.

I think we are sports crazy! Especially here in Alabama!

Rambo, don't get too depressed over not knowing about sports. I worked at a conference for coaches recently. An older gentleman came up to my table and ask if I knew who he was. I had no idea since I don't know anything about football. He told me his name and I still didn't have any idea who he was. He said he was a retired coach from one of the big name colleges here in Alabama. I told him that I was sorry, but I just didn't keep up with football. He said "that's OK, I think people put far too much emphasis on sports these days." I felt much better after he said that. I think we need to pay attention to the academics in school and let sports be a side interest.

Martha, I read about that in Sports Illustrated that had Saban on the cover last week (week before?). Rick Bragg wrote an article about Bama and Saban and how our culture here is particularly and uniquely rabid about it, but it wasn't mean or insulting. It was actually one of the best articles, any genre, I've ever read. And, no wonder, given who wrote it, and he's certainly no sports writer.

I love college football. I love football. I love Bama football. I would never name my kids after Bear Bryant or any other football icon. Half of the people in Alabama have had, at one time or another, a dog named Bear I believe. (Okay, I did have a mutt puppy about 18 years ago named Butkus. He died from heartworm before he was 2 months old. But, that was a Chicago Bear, not Bear Bryant. But, in my own defense, the dog looked like a Butkus.)

Tyde. How ridiculous. Yes, we overemphasize --- no, we worship --- college football in Alabama. The first game I went to at Legion Field in B'ham was Alabama v. Mississippi State, years ago. It occurred to me that 70,000 people would yell and scream and dress the part in crimson clothing and caps, houndstooth hats and all that on Saturday, but probably less than 20% of them would lift a shoe to go to church on Sunday. It bothered me, and it hit home to me that all that stuff had to be put in perspective, in a proper place.

That said ... I went to the game yesterday and had a great time. I clapped wildly when Saban ran out of the tunnel and onto the field. I sat with my chin in my hand and watched the game in mostly silence to observe how the game was managed. I cheered when the score came up on the digital banners encircling Bryant-Denny that showed Auburn down to Kansas State (dadgum it, they won anyway). I got the chills that I always get when they played the tribute to Alabama football history and tradition, with Bryant looming large in that tribute, just prior to kickoff. It strikes me at the core, and I love it. That gravelly voice booming over the PA system while old footage of Kenny Stabler and other more recent memories that I witnessed on TV or by radio or in person (now including the Tyrone Prothro catch against Mississippi State in 2005), the infamous Penn State rivalry games of the 70's and 80's, the dramatic music ... I'm dead serious when I tell you it almost makes me cry to sit there with 92,000 others and just --- FEEL --- that. I'm not alone in that sentiment. (If you're inclined to see a sample, visit www.crimsontradition.com . But, it's a Bama thang.)

But, at the end of it all, it is a game. It is fun, it is exciting, it is wonderful and I'm glad that it is a part of my life as an Alabaman. But, it is just a game. Seeing people name their kids Tyde and all that stuff, well, it just shows you how easy it is to take things too far and how shallow we can be. Not that I'm any better as I tear up during the pre-game retrospectives, but at least my kid won't bear (PBUH ---- j/k) it. Unless she wants to, and of course, I'll buy her all the gear she will put on. Sorry, that's just how it is.

I do believe people take things too far. Sports is one of those things. I love football. And I love my Alma Mata, Mississippi State Bulldogs. I remember all the great Christian friends I had there. All the great moments. The professors that encouraged me, challenged me, lead me, and prepared me. It is amazing sitting there in that stadium. The flood of memories I have. It did hurt my feelings (which is funny since I don't usually get my feelings hurt LOL ) when Dolphan made that statement last year after MS State beat Alabama. (which he did apologize about. I really did appreciate that) And Rob this year when he said MS State was a SEC wanna be. Which I understand but it doesn't help when you are frustrated with your team. No hard feelings; I understand.

I know MS State is not doing well and it makes me mad. I want them to succeed. But nothing holds more to me than my Savior and my family.

Watching the offense Thursday night against LSU almost made me sick. Pick after pick while the defense played their hearts out. Well, I believe we'll do better and compete like we should. I don't know about Croom. I like him as a person, but sometimes he just shocks me as a coach. He's trying to build a team with heart and character. It's hard to watch them lose and lose. But I won't abandon them. State has a hard schedule and the SEC is tough.

Last, there is nothing like sitting in that stadium when the game gets started. I love it. Win or lose even if the lose seems to be so much here lately. It is just a game.

well to be a good team you have to take your knocks. and not make excuses. it takes time.

And Rob this year when he said MS State was a SEC wanna be. Which I understand but it doesn't help when you are frustrated with your team. No hard feelings; I understand.

Tim no offense intended, just stating what I believe to the truth that MSU is not a good team. Besides that, later in the year they make the trip to Morgantown to take on the 'Eers.

I have a friend that is a big SEC fan and always dogging the BE, however I told him this year that in the SEC East and West that both UL & WVU could not only compete, but possibly win the East and I think both teams would give LSU all they could handle.

Having said all that, but to the topic at hand, in Kentucky Basketball is worshipped like Football is in 'Bama. I have friends here who have named their kids, "Kyle" as in Macy, Dan as in Issel, Rex as in Chapman, Rick as in Pitino, none that I know of is named Orlando or Tubby though.

Pastor Rob wrote:Tim no offense intended, just stating what I believe to the truth that MSU is not a good team. Besides that, later in the year they make the trip to Morgantown to take on the 'Eers.

Hey, like I said. I understand.. I think that is really what makes me mad. Is that fact. I just don't think Croom is going to get the job done. If he doesn't do something soon their gonna drop us to Conference USA. It is frustrating..... BTW: My wife was laughing at me b/c the only thing that would hurt my feelings is something like that.

Pastor Rob wrote:I have a friend that is a big SEC fan and always dogging the BE, however I told him this year that in the SEC East and West that both UL & WVU could not only compete, but possibly win the East and I think both teams would give LSU all they could handle.

I agree! They are very good teams and deserve their due. I hope State plays much better than they did against LSU. I thought State played good against WVU last year but ran out of depth. Not that they could beat them but at least have a good showing.

[quote="Pastor Rob"]

I have a friend that is a big SEC fan and always dogging the BE, however I told him this year that in the SEC East and West that both UL & WVU could not only compete, but possibly win the East and I think both teams would give LSU all they could handle.
quote]

OK After I get back off the floor....

TT... I thought I heard or read that MSU has never won the west in ANY SPORT... not sure if that is correct... but It has to hurt.

ROB we have a mutual friend that named his son Jordon Micheal... His wife did not want the Michael Jordon name.

TC wrote:TT... I thought I heard or read that MSU has never won the west in ANY SPORT... not sure if that is correct... but It has to hurt.

No, that is not correct. In 1941, we were the SEC champions. Won the West in 98. We played TN in 1998 for the SEC championship. I believe that was the year TN won the NC.

In baskeball, we won the SEC championship in 1996 and 2002. We made it to the final four in 1996 losing to syracuse. I was in school at State in 02.

Don't know about the other sports. Not as long a list as many others, but we are looking to the future.

TC wrote:TT... I thought I heard or read that MSU has never won the west in ANY SPORT... not sure if that is correct... but It has to hurt.

Someone will correct me on this if I'm wrong, but I think Vandy is the only team not to win the SEC football crown (neither has Arkansas or South Carolina, but they only came into the conference in '91, and I don't know if they won any conference titles in their earlier years).

TC wrote:

Pastor Rob wrote:
I have a friend that is a big SEC fan and always dogging the BE, however I told him this year that in the SEC East and West that both UL & WVU could not only compete, but possibly win the East and I think both teams would give LSU all they could handle.

OK After I get back off the floor....

LSU is very, very good, no doubt. But, they're not invincible. Their game against State the other night showed that they have a few vulnerabilities, even with the lopsided score. State managed to move the ball on them early on pretty well. A deeper, more talented team, especially one as deep and talented as Louisville and WVA, could very well beat them. Of course, that assumes that both of those teams could protect their QB long enough from the hard hitting ends and LB's that LSU has. Both of their O-lines would have to play at the top of their games to beat LSU, but at the skill positions they are the virtual equal of LSU, IMHO.

dolfan wrote:Someone will correct me on this if I'm wrong, but I think Vandy is the only team not to win the SEC football crown (neither has Arkansas or South Carolina, but they only came into the conference in '91, and I don't know if they won any conference titles in their earlier years).

Arkansas was in the Southwest Conference from 1915-1991. They won it 13 times during that time. South Carolina was the ACC champions one time in 1969.