Fanatic Fan Fundamentals

So, it is without a doubt, my favorite time of the year- FOOTBALL SEASON!  Everyday when I get on Facebook, I am reminded of some fans unbecoming behavior.  I am not pointing fingers at any specific team, because I know better than that.  Every team has fans that give their school a bad name.  In my neck of the woods, some schools have more of these rather obnoxious fans than others.  I want to help everyone out and provide a few rules that would make football season a lot smoother for fans of all schools.

1.  Show a little respect.  Think before you speak (or type).  Carefully consider, is your opinion really necessary?
2.  Stay positive.  Nothing bothers me more than when opposing fans write negative comments on what should be a positive status.
3.  You worry about your team,  I will worry about mine!  It is no secret that I bleed orange and blue.  My statuses concerning football are usually about either Auburn or Troy.  If my statuses are about other teams, they are not negative.  (OK, I can think of a couple of times that I kind of pushed it a little)  I get extremely tired of fans from rival schools posting trashy statuses about my team or any other team.  I am glad they are so concerned, but they can take that concern somewhere else.
4.  Focus on this century!  It is phenomenal that your team has won one trillion national championships in the past, but can we focus on the fact that they have won one since you were born.  This probably sounds like I am talking about one school specifically, and I am in that sense.  I am also talking about any other school that enjoys harping on past accomplishments.  I like living in the future and focusing on the team that is on the field.
5.  I always find that the worst fans are those that never attended the school and couldn't find the university if their life depended upon it.  If you are one of these people, sit down.  Please do not make your respective university look bad.
6.  If you do attend the university, then you should be educated enough to act appropriately.  You are the ones that are drag your school's name through the mud because of your inability to hold your tongue (or fingers).  I have great respect for other institutions and their athletic departments, I know not everyone feels the same way.  Having attended Auburn, I take pride in supporting my alma mater and being gracious and welcoming to visiting fans on game day and rivals on any day.
7.  On week one, please do not make your national championship predictions.  That is, well, annoying.  Anything can happen on any week in college football- SEC fans, you should know this best!
8.  When your team wins by 6 touchdowns, I do not need to hear about it all week.  I, for one, enjoy competitive football.  Competitive football entails two teams of equal talent fighting for a win.  Scores resembling 41-31 or 17-14 mean it was a good game, a score of 60-3 does not.  That simply means you won by a landslide, be the bigger person and be a little humble.
9.  If you attend one university, do not disrespect them by wearing opposing team's gear on game day at home.  That is ridiculous.  It does not make sense.  In my opinion, if you go to Auburn, and it's game day in Auburn, if you can't find your burnt orange and navy blue, you better just stay at home.
10.  I have not named any schools specifically in this blog, but in light of my team affiliation, I will use my last rule to name names.  I believe in Auburn and love it.  If you don't believe in Auburn and love it, don't tell me that on my status.  If you are wearing crimson and white and your status says Roll Tide, I won't be committing on it in a negative way.  The Auburn, Alabama rivalry runs deep in our state.  Some Alabama fans (and sadly some Auburn fans) just can not manage to keep their mouths shut throughout the season.  It literally makes my blood boil.  The Iron Bowl is two months away, don't hate on my team now.

I had the privilege of attending the school I cheer for every Saturday.  My university gave me a unique opportunity- the opportunity to forever call myself a member of the Auburn family.  The spirit of the Auburn family is not something that can be understood by everyone.  In fact, I grew up an Auburn fan, but I did not truly grasp the meaning of the "Auburn family" until I attended Auburn.  I am proud to forever call myself a member of this family.  Wherever I go in life, I will look forward to returning to the Plains and the unique War Eagle moments I might encounter.

I hope everyone is enjoying football season, but remember... keep your "fanatic fan" under control!

War Eagle!

My Hero is a Marine

"Freedom is not free, but the Marine Corps will pay most of your share."

- Ned Dolan

     Growing up, I lived in a small town that lacked much military activity.  The closest base was 45 minutes away- a man or women in uniform was not commonplace.  On September 11, 2001, the entire dynamic of our nation was changed.  We were a nation that had not seen serious, prolonged combat action since Vietnam.  Yet, our generation would soon become witness to a new war- little did I know the impact that war would one day come to have on my life.

     When I began my collegiate career, I became more familiar with the military.  My roommate Heather's dad was then a member of the Army, and her brother had just been commissioned into the Navy.  I met military brats from all around the world.  I got to see ROTC cadets in uniforms weekly- I definitely did not complain about that!  But really, I grew a greater respect for the men and women that fight for our nation.

     For several months, my best friend Jamie tossed around the idea of joining the Marines.  On a brisk, fall day in November of 2008, Jamie informed me that he had made his decision.  Six months after graduating from high school, he had decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corps.  That same weekend, he got "WARRIOR" tattooed across his back- a symbol of his future career and his commitment to fight for the ones he loves.

     In January, Jamie officially enlisted, and he left for Parris Island, South Carolina, on Mother's Day.  After thirteen long weeks, lots of letters, and a few tears, I got to watch Jamie graduate from basic.  Seeing my best friend walk across the parade deck with his unit literally gave me chills.  He was not the shaggy-haired teenager he had been just a few months prior.  Jamie had transformed into a man, more than that, he had become a Marine.

     From the day he enlisted, we all knew he would someday deploy.  Well, that time has come.  This time two years ago, we were putting hundreds of miles on my new car- riding around Eufaula and talking.  Now, he is preparing to deploy to Afghanistan as part of ongoing Operation Enduring Freedom.

     I have a new-found respect for both military men and women.  They are no longer merely a person in a uniform.  I now see them as someone's husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, sister, or best friend.  After all, it is my best friend that wears the uniform of a United States Marine.  Military families have to be the strongest group of people on this earth.  They too are part of the war.  Although they are not in the war zone, they are left at home to worry, pray, and support their loved one.

     The next eight months will not be easy.  Jamie is lucky.  He has more people than he knows who have already began praying for his safety.  His friends will be jealous of the amount of letters and care packages that he receives.  I will hang my yellow ribbon up, and it will not come down until my best friend's feet are on American soil again.  

     Today, say a little prayer for Jamie and all of those who are preparing to deploy with him and their families as well.  Pray for the men and women who are already in the Middle East.  Pray for the families of all of the military men and women that have paid the ultimate sacrifice in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  I love my best friend, and I can't wait for him to be home again!