I read Yost & company’s recount of the horrors they endured at the hands of bone-headed OSU fans. No, let me rephrase that. Those people are simply a-holes with an Ohio State shirt on. Or, more likely, a Budweiser “F-Michigan” t-shirt. They are not fans. They are idiots. I’m tired of defending people who call themselves Buckeye Fans but who are so in name only. I’m really sorry what happened to Yost and countless other Michigan fans, I am. It’s unfortunate. But I’m tired of being lumped together with the knuckle-draggers. Stop lumping us true fans with those mouth-breathers. It made me sick to read what happened. But I’m tired of hearing of it. And I’m tired apologizing for it.
I’m not one of the guys that buys the F-Michigan T-shirts those dirt bags are selling on Lane Avenue. I’m not one of the guys throwing garbage at Michigan fans. I’m not the one who’s hurling epithets at them in slurred, guttural drunken-speak. I’m not the person who puffs up his chest, in front of his friends, and tells a Michigan fan to “Go Blow!” Those guys are imbeciles of the finest grade and I am not one of them.
Another thing to remember is that Columbus is a big city. We’ve got a lot of unsavory individuals. A lot. I’m sure there’s a lot more than you’d ever see in Ann Arbor. The majority of the idiots causing problems are these unsavory inidividuals, people that aren’t even peripherally involved with the university. They see it as an excuse to get wasted and bully people around. We wish they’d go away, but it’s something we all have to deal with.
I’m the guy who goes up and apologizes for what the Neanderthals in the “Ann Arbor is a Whore” shirts said to the guy in the Maize and Blue block-M hat. I was the guy apologizing to the Texas fans last year when my fellow “fans” were telling them to “F’ing Go Home!” I’m the guy who gives you an apologetic look when some moron says something he’d never say in front of his mother.
I’m tired of it. I’m tired of having to defend my school and my team to a bunch of people who are just looking for a place to stand to take the higher moral ground. “Our team lost on the football field, but your team (and school) sucks because a couple drunk half-wits hurt my feelings! They said mean things about my mom!” I’m not asking you to grow up or get over it. Just take things in perspective. In a week or two, the sting from the loss will lessen and you’re realize, in the grand scheme of things, these things really aren’t that important.
And no, Michigan doesn’t have the high ground to take on this issue. As Zeke, SYR and I were heading for a pre-game lunch (at La Bambas, a fine High Street establishment) we watched as the police-escorted buses of the Michigan Marching Band passed by. You’d think these guys, you know, actual representatives of the University, would show some class right? Of course you’d think that. And you’d be wrong. I’m no professional lip reader, but I know how to make out phrases containing four-letter words that start with F and end with YOU. The middle fingers aimed at us OSU fans were a nice touch. Saw a lot of those. But my favorite were the “F-OSU” signs. I saw a couple of those in the windows. That was the epitome of class.
So, to the fans of college football everywhere, get off our friggin backs. We don’t have control over what a few thousand people do to ruin the image of Ohio State. Contrary to what people will have you believe, it is a few rotten apples that spoil the bunch. I’m sorry, but that’s the truth. We were down on campus all morning long and I didn’t hear a single F-Michigan or any other derogatory comment. There was easily 200,000 people on campus, enjoying the festivities. I saw some good natured ribbing, some fun at each others expenses, but none of the vile that other people had happen to them. Those of us who care about who we’re perceived were trying to keep our rowdy brethren in line. We are. But most of the idiots you had the misfortune of interacting with were probably young college students with a little extra to drink. I’d be willing to bet that a large majority of them weren’t even students of the University. They were simply idiots. We don’t want them and we don’t claim them. Unfortunately we have to put up with them a lot more often then you do. When they say ridiculous, mean, hurtful things, we do reprove them. We tell them to keep it clean. We tell them that it’s uncool what they’re doing. But that’s all we can do. We try to do our part, but it’s not easy. And it is, quite honestly, pointless. They’re free to say what they want. It’s unfortunate but true. These people are idiots and are going to do whatever feels good to their alcohol soaked brains.
I don’t associate myself with them. I am an Ohio State Buckeye, I love this university and I love those who love it with me. We aren’t all about hating Michigan. We’re about loving the Buckeyes. The team. We love the tradition, the crisp autumn afternoons with a 100,000 friends cheering on the Buckeyes. It isn’t all about hating Michigan. Yost says, “it’s not “Pro-OSU,” it’s “anti-Michigan.”” Do you think the hatred for Michigan fills the stadium when we play Texas? What about when we play Cincinnati?
I know some of the backlash is coming from Michigan fans with wounded egos and fragile emotions. They hurt and they want to strike back, however they can. Saturday’s game was draining. For everyone, not just you. But we’re not sorry your team lost. We’re not even happy your team lost. We’re happy our team won. You had a bad experience and it was amplified by your disgust for the outcome of the game. But I’m sure the memories you had up to that point would certainly be clouded by your disappointment. But don’t you dare lump the people who offended you with those of us who care. I wish I could have been standing next to you in the stadium. I would have shook your hand and said “good game.” Most of us real fans treat everyone with respect. I know some people do not. But we are not them.
I’m just tired of apologizing for them.
The day is here. The day productivity approaches zero in offices around Columbus and Ann Arbor. Where a million fans go over a million scenarios. Arguments will be made. Angles will be examined and reexamined. Message boards will light up with idiots and pundits alike. Blogs, this year more than ever, will be a twitter with the anticipation of the game that has defined the 2006 season. Would OSU finish as it started — ranked #1. Would Michigan, coming off a disappointing season, rise to the occasion and make this game one of the biggest game of the century?
I know we’re right in the thick of Michigan Week, but we’ve been working behind the scenes to make MotSaG better.
Apparently Lloyd Carr 
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