knapplc
International Man of Mystery
Your LSU friend is welcome to think that Husker Fans are "condescending" towards our opponents when they walk off the field. Frankly, that argument holds no logic. If it were true, we would not give the exact same ovation to the teams that beat us as they walk off the field.Here is an email I received from a LSU fan (now there is a ugly group!)
We had an argument that the about what we were expressing vs. what how the clapping was being received.
What do you think - are we making the other fans feel like we think we are better than them? And is this similar to are thinking we are "Footballs greatest fans?"
- For years, Nebraska fans have been lauded for the way they politely clap for the vanquished opposing team after home games. The shoe was on the other foot this week as Kansas fans clapped for the Nebraska as it walked off the field. Several Nebraska fans have commented on how condescending the nice gesture really feels to the other side.
Tell Mr. LSU about the inscriptions on the stadium:
“Not the victory but the action
Not the goal but the game
In the deed the glory”
And:
"Courage; Generosity; Fairness; Honor;
In these are the true awards of manly sport."
These are the tenets of Husker Football. I knew these sayings by the time I was ten years old. Many teams pay lip service to the concepts in these inscriptions, but the Huskers lived them for the better part of my life. I’d like to believe that our fans still do, even if the current coaches seem to have forgotten all about them. That’s why we give our opponents that ovation, win or lose.
It’s not condescending, it comes from a legitimate appreciation of the effort they gave and the sport they play. It has so very little to do with whether we beat them or they beat us. It’s not surprising that an outsider wouldn’t know this. I just hope that everyone who calls themselves a Husker Fan today knows these things, and goes to the games with an intention to live up to them.
Now, I have no idea why KU fans gave us that ovation. I'd like to believe that they were doing it for the same reason we do. Maybe someone who was at the game can shed more light on that, but unless that ovation was accompanied by some overt form of derision, I have no reason to believe they were doing anything other than offering their thanks for our part in the game.