An Open Letter To College Football

Dear College Football,

For much of my life, I hated you. I didn’t understand you or care about you – not even a little bit. As a child and in my early teenage years, I spent Saturday after Saturday confused and annoyed about why we had to sit in the house and watch you for hours on end… what did it really matter, anyways? It’s not like we were players on the field? And, contrary to popular belief, no matter how loud my dad or brother yelled at the TV, we couldn’t affect the outcome. I resented you and refused to let allegiance to the Orange and Blue make my decision about where to go to college.

As much as I loved the idea of ending up at a school where no one expected me to be, when the time to head off to college rolled around, I did find myself in Gainesville, and as I stepped on campus everything changed.

So, College Football, what did this change have to do with you?

In short, everything.

You used to be something I didn’t understand. You were the weirdest ritual and most annoying tradition. You were a piece of our culture I really could have done without. But now, I realize you’re so much more. You’re something I can shock my dad and brother with when I actually know what I’m talking about. You’re something that makes September through December a little more exciting. You’re a memory-maker that I wouldn’t trade for the world.

You see, before college, I didn’t understand what you had to offer. I didn’t understand the actual highs (and lows) you would bring me. I didn’t understand that while 22 guys battled it out on the field, all of us in the stands really could feel like we were fighting right along side them. I didn’t know how friendships could be forged through the mutual love of Orange and Blue… or the mutual distaste for so many other colors (Garnet & Gold, Creamsicle Orange – you get the idea.) I didn’t know what I was missing, but I’m so glad I found it.

Over the past 5 years (thank you, grad school victory lap) I’ve grown into a person I never thought I would be. I’ve found something to cheer for in the best of times and I’ve found something to commiserate with others about in the, well, not best of times.

I’ve found myself in the stands on as many Saturdays as I could. I’ve waited in line for tickets, woken up before the sun to tailgate, and traveled near and far to see you in action. I’ve learned what it’s like to stand by something even when no one else believes in it. I’ve learned how it feels to cheer for small victories (hello almost-400-games-without-a-shutout streak) even when the outcome was less than desirable.

See, College Football, while you were ticking by each year, you brought me memories I’ll have forever. Game after game, you bonded me with friends in moments of great joy and, sometimes, great frustration. You gave us somewhere to be and somewhere to belong. You crammed us into apartments to watch you when you were away. You took us on the most fun & exciting & sentimental road trip to Baton Rouge fueled by the pure hatred of the Purple and Gold. You gave me countless moments and memories I never could have had without you, and for that, I’m eternally grateful.

So, after attending my last game with you from the student section this past Saturday, I can’t help but reflect on all you’ve brought me over these last five years. I’m sure you know this isn’t goodbye, I mean, we still have one more game together this season. But it’s bittersweet, nonetheless, as our relationship from here on out will be different. I’ll see you much more often from the TV screen rather than the stands, but I’ll remember how it felt to have the time on campus that I’ve had. I’ll be back, hopefully sooner rather than later, but while I’m away, I’ll remember you fondly. And you can bet that even from a distance I’ll always be singing We Are The Boys after the third quarter, and I’ll always be cheering for the Orange and Blue.

With love,

Your New Biggest Fan