Enough with the fan abuse

[tmfr15]

As Nebraska navigates through another tough season and probably a transition, there seems to be those fans and talking heads who want to put the focus on the fan and to somehow make the case that its our fault, the fault of the fan, that the program is in the shape it's in now.

 

Enough of that.

 

Damon Benning's talk on NET's Big Red Wrap got my blood boiling. He was talking about how we all need to just come together and tell everyone that the University of Nebraska comes first. We are not supposed to advocate for OUR guy in terms of favorite coach. If you like Scott Frost for HC, you aren't supposed to talk. Talk positively on any other coach but Mike Riley and prepare to get shamed. Also, don't leave the stadium early while we are getting blown out. Don't boo if you don't like what's happening on the field. And don't be critical of anything. Stop complaining and fall into line behind the program.

 

News Flash! It doesn't matter how many fans fall behind the program in robotic fashion, it will still come down to whether or not the University of Nebraska wants to hire a new coach or not. It comes down to whether or not the University of Nebraska hires a good coach or retains a good coach. It comes down to recruiting. It comes down to players doing their jobs. It comes down to the difficulty of opponents. It comes down to luck at times. It comes down to a 1,000 other things.

 

The fan is about 999th on the list.

 

As Ohio State beat Nebraska, there were fans around me who got up and headed for the gates. I didn't. I stayed the whole game. There were some fans who booed. I didn't. I tried to stay positive. There were some pretty upset people. I wasn't. I internalize that stuff.

 

And so Damon Benning thinks if everyone will just act like me, then our problems will be solved. He's wrong.

 

I get why people want to go home. Maybe they had work on Sunday. Maybe they just were not having a good time. And I am OK with that. I sure hope that we get this thing rolling in the right direction and those fans come back. I am sure that they will.

 

Nebraska fans have stuck behind this team. In the many times since, oh, about 2002, when we get drilled, I go to the stadium the next week and think that will be the week that the stadium is half empty at kick. Husker fans just keep showing up and keep cheering. Kudos to you guys. And even if, at some point in the future, the fans stop coming.... it won't be because they don't want the team to be successful. It will be because the games are simply too costly and not enough fun to make sense as an investment of significant dollars.

 

Ohio State is in the books. And we march on to Purdue hoping for the best.

 

In the meantime, if Nebraska struggles, I am hoping that people will keep it down with the "Fan is to blame!" nonsense.

 

It's hard on this fan's ears.

 

 

[jessica0]

Settling is what lead the Gophers to what they are today compared to what they were in the past. Alabama was no different than Nebraska fans when they went through all of those coaching changes and then they landed Saban. Now they are winning national titles. 

 

Oklahoma was firing coaches left and right and then landed Stoops. 

 

All Nebraska wants is a real coach that can win games and have the team competing. That isn't Mike Riley. The fans got a stab behind the back with that hire and the school has to do a recorrect on it. 

 

Once the new guy is in things will settle down and the rebuild will start. 

[Warrior10]

Our fan base has been, and will continue to be, a much bigger asset than liability. 

[Cdog923]

I don't know if I could disagree with this sentiment more. 

[krc1995]

Not a huge Benning fan, but there is a fine line between being a twit of a fan and being supportive of  your team.  You don't have to bash on the players and coaches to express your disappointment and the difference between Alabama's cycle and Nebraska is the access and voice that social media allows.  

[dtbugeater]

Nebraska is special for a few reasons but just like most college programs on most things. Our fans are going to be pissed when the team isn’t very good. Our fans will come together and support a coach that is winning. In many ways it is really that simple.

 

Hire a winner and all this talk of division within the fan base will disappear. 

[Waldo]

I didn't hear the segment, but the fan is what keeps college football and sports what they are. You can have sports without the fans, but the compensation for players and the university dwindles, and it's the same for professional sports.

I do think at times we need to remember as fans that these are 18-23 year olds and they hear our criticism. 

[Crusader Husker]

I know I get tired of the fans constantly ripping on coaches and players.  Calling out people in social media.  I believe that is some of what he is talking about.  He is talking about a divided fandom.  I hear about it from people around me.  He is of course not talking about everyone.  There are many supportive fans who back the team and school.  How many threads exist here about canning the coach.  And bringing in Frost or someone else?  We finally combined all of the Frost threads.  Again, what happens if Frost doesn't want it?

[I AM FOOT FOOT]

At 18 -23 your an adult.

[Roll Skers]

Our fans have come together as we all agree Riley should be gone! xD

[Pedro Guerrero]

I disagree 

[Waldo]

12 minutes ago, man eating mastodon said:

At 18 -23 your an adult.

Says the guy who doesn't know which your to use.

[InOmaha]

Thinking people should show up, stay, and cheer through something like the OSU game is silly.  If it was a colder night it would have been even worse.

 

They're asking for a significant amount of money when you factor in tickets, food, gas, parking, lodging, etc.  If you live in Lincoln great.  If you don't, it adds up fast.  Fans will show up for now, but won't stay if there are only one or two reasons to cheer per half.

 

Colleges changed the atmosphere to chase dollars over students and guess what happens?  You get fans who expect more for their expensive game day experiences.  Clear out the stands on the east side at the 50 and sell tickets to any and all college students at $10/game if you want a college atmosphere.  Otherwise, you need a top producing team to expect top dollar ticket prices and donations.  The last time I took my wife and kids to a game it cost ~$350 for food, gas, parking, and tickets.  If that was to the OSU game we would have only gotten enjoyment from the dinner.  I can eat out here.

 

It's a catch 22.  Ask people for a lot of money and people expect something in return.

Edited October 19, 2017 by InOmaha

[beorach]

I've heard DB take calls from people whose blood was boiling in part because what he says on broadcasts about the state of the program isn't negative enough.  A guy might not share any insight but just wants to call it a dumpster fire and gets upset when DB isn't just going along.

 

Where's the balance?  Can't we be civil regardless?  Can we still support the kids under a new coach that we called garbage over and over the previous season?  I looked at them during the NI game and felt they deserved better but I don't know the whole story and never will.

 

I've noticed this season that some fans have been referring to people supporting the program in a negative fashion (implying they are stupid for still thinking MR might be the guy).

 

The internet used to be where all that happened but I don't know anymore.  It's tiresome to hear so many rules for being a fan.  I just figured it had to do with what you felt inside.  I'm not going to judge because we all have passion as fanatics...

 

[KingBlank]

1 hour ago, tmfr15 said:

As Nebraska navigates through another tough season and probably a transition, there seems to be those fans and talking heads who want to put the focus on the fan and to somehow make the case that its our fault, the fault of the fan, that the program is in the shape it's in now.

 

Enough of that.

 

Damon Benning's talk on NET's Big Red Wrap got my blood boiling. He was talking about how we all need to just come together and tell everyone that the University of Nebraska comes first. We are not supposed to advocate for OUR guy in terms of favorite coach. If you like Scott Frost for HC, you aren't supposed to talk. Talk positively on any other coach but Mike Riley and prepare to get shamed. Also, don't leave the stadium early while we are getting blown out. Don't boo if you don't like what's happening on the field. And don't be critical of anything. Stop complaining and fall into line behind the program.

 

News Flash! It doesn't matter how many fans fall behind the program in robotic fashion, it will still come down to whether or not the University of Nebraska wants to hire a new coach or not. It comes down to whether or not the University of Nebraska hires a good coach or retains a good coach. It comes down to recruiting. It comes down to players doing their jobs. It comes down to the difficulty of opponents. It comes down to luck at times. It comes down to a 1,000 other things.

 

The fan is about 999th on the list.

 

As Ohio State beat Nebraska, there were fans around me who got up and headed for the gates. I didn't. I stayed the whole game. There were some fans who booed. I didn't. I tried to stay positive. There were some pretty upset people. I wasn't. I internalize that stuff.

 

And so Damon Benning thinks if everyone will just act like me, then our problems will be solved. He's wrong.

 

I get why people want to go home. Maybe they had work on Sunday. Maybe they just were not having a good time. And I am OK with that. I sure hope that we get this thing rolling in the right direction and those fans come back. I am sure that they will.

 

Nebraska fans have stuck behind this team. In the many times since, oh, about 2002, when we get drilled, I go to the stadium the next week and think that will be the week that the stadium is half empty at kick. Husker fans just keep showing up and keep cheering. Kudos to you guys. And even if, at some point in the future, the fans stop coming.... it won't be because they don't want the team to be successful. It will be because the games are simply too costly and not enough fun to make sense as an investment of significant dollars.

 

Ohio State is in the books. And we march on to Purdue hoping for the best.

 

In the meantime, if Nebraska struggles, I am hoping that people will keep it down with the "Fan is to blame!" nonsense.

 

It's hard on this fan's ears.

 

 

Damn freaking straight