Saturday, November 7, 2009

jNWU, You've Done It Again

Actually, I don't even want to credit Northwestern with this one. It was the football gods, deciding that one year of luck/good fortune was enough for this Iowa team. It is a bit eerie to realize that Penn State and the great upset were one year ago this weekend...

However, let's get back to today's game. When I walked into Kinnick today I could feel the energy. It was like a pulsating, rapid-firing, invisible wave that had engulfed our stadium. But alas, it all came crashing down, and crashing down fast. The SUCK that happened when the crowd realized Ricky "The Manzi" Stanzi was down and not getting up too fast was almost audible.

Now, die-hard fan that I am, you might believe that I would be pissed and yelling obscenities. Not the case actually. I was very sad for Ricky. I had just met his parents (at my house!?!?!) and saw what genuinely nice people they are. So my first thoughts were about how they were feeling. Secondly, I think I realized two things the average intoxicated fans near me seemed not to even entertain. Ricky did not get hurt on purpose. Furthermore, the poor kid they put in to replace him was absolutely without question trying his very hardest. I've been telling people all day; no one goes out on the field contemplating how they're going to mess it up for their team. They are going out there scared out of their mind, and using every fiber of their being to do the very best job they know how to do.

So while I left the game disappointed that our winning streak was over, I was not pissed at the world, or at anyone really. I'm happy that NWU feels good about themselves, although I don't believe upsetting a team that lost their slightly irradic, but always adequate quarterback is as much of a defeat as say, outscoring a highly ranked, national championship hopeful (ahem, Penn State) team. But let them celebrate. I'm not here to steal joy.

I'm here to say that as a fan watching my first lost game, GO HAWKS! I still love you!

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