Should NU take down the "Greatest Fans" sign?

[TheCheshireCat]

I realize this is just a blog, but in no way do I ever think that we should take down the sign at our gate entrances that say "Through these gates pass the greatest fans in college football." Society as a whole is way too concerned with saying anything that might be remotely offensive, and this is just another example. When did this country lose its balls? I don't think it's smug or arrogant or presumptuous, I just think it celebrates the passion of Nebraska football. What are your thoughts?

 

http://www.cornnation.com/2010/7/16/1572535/should-the-greatest-fans-in

 

Two years ago, the first edition of our Nebraska football yearbook, A Sea of Red 2008, was appearing on shelves throughout Nebraska. It contained a short article regarding the "Greatest Fans in College Football" signs that are over the gate entries to Nebraska's Memorial Stadium. At the time, Husker fans were welcoming back Tom Osborne and wondering what changes would be made to the game day atmosphere, particularly those introduced by (former?) "Enemy of the State", former athletic director Steve Pederson.

 

Here's a snippet from that article in A Sea of Red 2008:

 

On Father's Day a few years ago my kids bought me a ‘World's Greatest Dad' shirt. It was cute and I appreciated it. I'm sure many other fathers have had the same experience. It's nice when someone else gives you a compliment like that, even if it's your children and they're young enough to see you as Superman. However, imagine that I drove to Target and bought myself the same t-shirt. Instead of being a compliment the shirt would be a farce (not to mention a little bit creepy). You cannot declare yourself "Greatest Dad" with any more credibility than you can declare yourself a "Greatest Fan".

 

After two years, I still feel the same way. The signs should be removed, not because we're not great fans - the sell-out streak is proof of that - but because the signs are a self-declaration of superiority, a vanity I find distinctly un-Nebraskan. (Or Is it that our athletic department is so afraid that Husker fans might not live up to the task so badly that they feel the need to remind us to be on our best behavior every time we enter the stadium?)

 

Now up pops this controversy with the Red Out Around the World web site, which originally declared a strong desire to beat Texas. ESPN's Pat Forde took notice, and used our own hubris against us while skewering Nebraska by saying:

 

For decades, the Nebraska Cornhuskers have been the self-proclaimed kings of institutional class in college football.

Their fans lead the free world in civility and decorum toward opponents -- just ask them. To hear the Big Red faithful tell it, Gandhi could have learned a few things about dignity on a football Saturday in Lincoln.

 

Forde's article registered so loudly the the Red Out site has been changed, removing all traces of our desire to beat Texas, simply declaring "Wear Red - October 16, 2010 - Be Loud". Instead of stating what 99% of Husker fans are thinking, the site has lost it's edge, all because a frighteningly high level of decorum must be maintained. Nebraska finds itself caught in it's own trap. That is a damned shame - I don't know of a single Husker fan who doesn't want to see our beloved Huskers rip the throats out (gasp!) of a team to whom we've lost to so many times by so few points.

 

There's a simple solution to the problem. Remove the signs. Stop going around telling other teams about what great fans we are and let other people brand us as the best fans in college football, as Texas coach Mack Brown did in June:

 

On next year playing Nebraska in Lincoln: I think it's special every time we go up there. I like going there. I love their fans and they've always been the best. I'll never forget that moment with Ricky Williams and them standing up and giving him standing ovation and definitely their strength coach standing there, and there's never been a better sportsmanship moment in my life than them chanting `Heisman' as he was leaving the field. I will miss Nebraska because I like who they are.

 

Do that, and Nebraska will be granted a little more freedom the next time they try to have some fun with an opponent. Husker fans might enjoy a little more freedom, too. We've still got the sell-out streak to fall back on if opposing fans get too uppity, but at least we won't be being beat over the head with our own declaration.

[commando]

i always thought they were more of a welcome from the team to the fans rather than the fans claiming to be the best. guess it is how you interpret the signs. but why should we care if opposing fans bring the signs up? it is somewhat fresher than the N for Knowledge joke that has been around since dinosaurs roamed the earth yet every opposing fan thinks is fresh when they recite it.

[Sparker]

His argument doesn't make sense. Did the fans go there and put up the sign that says they are great? The school put up the sign, complimenting the fans who go there. Not to mention the fact that it is a true statement.

[openheart5]

the signs are there to remind everyone to be on thier best behavier and not boo, and to be welcoming. they are no way meant to be seen as holding ourselves above any other fanbase. everything gets turned upside down in a crazy p.c. world.

[bleedNUred]

The sign to me has always been like a thank you from the university whenever I go to the games...

[Ringer02]

I wish they would so I wouldn't have to hear about it anymore.....

[Count 'Bility]

This moron needs to watch this starting at 55 seconds

 

 

see, we didnt declare crap, lee corso says we're the greatest. sorry but your story has NO credibility.

[hskrpwr13]

I always thought the whole "greatest fans" statement was compliments givin' to the fanbase by those in the media, coaches from other programs, fans of other programs, etc. I never understood it to be a self-declaration.

 

Pat Forde even responded to someone's question about it, stating something to the fact that Husker fans trot out those "greates fans" quotes from others every chance we get. Well, isn't referencing other's opinions (expert?) one of the foundations of a good argument/debate? I thought Forde was way off on his assessment of the situation.

[deedsker15]

i always thought they were more of a welcome from the team to the fans rather than the fans claiming to be the best. guess it is how you interpret the signs. but why should we care if opposing fans bring the signs up? it is somewhat fresher than the N for Knowledge joke that has been around since dinosaurs roamed the earth yet every opposing fan thinks is fresh when they recite it.

up until a couple years ago i thought the same thing...i thought it was a compliment from staff/players/athletic department about our loyalty and love for our team

[floridahusker]

some people have way too much time on their hands and look for ways to be offended.

[carlfense]

I can't say that I care too much but I wish the signs weren't there. There's something inherently un-classy about bragging about how classy you are. Put another way . . . we should let our actions speak louder than our words. Other schools' fans are more than happy to write articles about the great experiences they have in Lincoln . . . and that's a much more powerful statement than just bragging about how great we are.

[TheCheshireCat]

I don't see it as "through these gates pass better fans than any other fans in college football" but more like "through these gates pass fans that are supportive/passionate/loyal... the greatest type of fan."

[Lil' Red]

I don't see it as "through these gates pass better fans than any other fans in college football" but more like "through these gates pass fans that are supportive/passionate/loyal... the greatest type of fan."

 

Yeah I agree. I think it's more of a statement that we have great fans than that our fans are better than everyone else's.

[derrtybird07]

I'm going to have to agree with what one user said on Corn Nation. We might as well take out that all our girl's are the fairest and our boys are the squarest. Forde just has nothing better to do than to pick on Nebraska during the offseason. These signs aren't something the fans went in a put in. Many, many people have stated that Nebraska fans are the best fans. 300+ sellouts deserves something.

[Manhattan]

When I first saw them, I thought they were a rip off of the famous "Through these portals pass prospects for America's finest fighting force... United States Marines", over the hatches of the receiving at MCRD Parris Island. I went through those once.