If there’s one thing that permeates our culture more than anything besides God and religion, it’s sports.
Any given Friday night, you’re most likely going to see me at a local high school football game. On any Saturday this fall, you’re going to find me either inside a college football stadium whether it’s in the stands, sidelines or press box or you’re going to see me watching a lot of football on TV.
If I’m doing good, I might actually be doing some housework, but when I’m watching the Auburn Tigers, I pretty much have to stop and watch. I’ve had to cut back on the nervous eating. Otherwise, my wellness coach might be getting on my case.
After the Oregon game this year, however, I think I could use that Auburn Fansatol from the SEC Shorts. I can confirm all of the fourth quarter heart palpitations and mind-boggling frustration do accompany our fan base. It’s probably true for other fanbases outside of maybe Alabama and Clemson right now. Maybe there needs to be more drugs available for other sports fan related symptoms.
Thankfully, I can usually get 5,000 steps in easily if I head to the football game itself. I’ve walked as far as a mile, sometimes carrying a computer and camera bag into football stadiums.
Ole Miss has the media spoiled. They are gracious enough to let us have parking places in the deck right next to the stadium.
I appreciate both of those schools accommodating us.
While I enjoy the privilege to observe local and college football teams up close, I’ve seen a number of amazing things happen over the years. And the one thing I’ve always learned by watching these teams is to never give up, and never count somebody out.
Both Union and Newton County, who face off this week in the battle for Hwy. 15 as I’ve seen it called on social media, have seen some of those ups and downs this year. I’m sure moms and dads could have used that Fansatol when Union was playing Nanih Waiya or when Newton County played tight games last week and against Kosciusko.
You might want to up the dose this week when these two tangle on Friday. I expect it to be a great game. In some ways, I think it’s probably easier on the players than anyone else. They just go out and play the game.
And that’s the beauty of it. The players get to block out the noise from the stands and just go play.
As Herm Edwards says, “You play to win the game.” However, the game should still be fun for all involved, win or lose. One side will win, and one side will lose. Let’s hope for a great and safe game, and at the end of the game, I hope both fanbases will be proud of how hard the teams played.
Contact Brent at bmaze@newtoncountyappeal.com.
