I hate football.

Greetings, Bearers,

I’m taking a break from writing to remind everybody that I am a football fan.  And I’m a Michigan football fan, who was basically turned into a Michigan football fan because of exposure to Michigan State football fans in my youth.

So if you watched today’s game, you know why I’m feeling a bit down right now.

On the plus side, we played great.  Dominated a team we were not supposed to dominate.  Harbaugh outcoached Dantonio.  Our defense kept the almighty Connor Cook on his heels, and despite a couple of really bogus ref calls (one which cost Joe Bolden an ejection, even though the replay clearly shows that he was pushed into the QB), we held a lead against a top 10 team that (according to some “experts”) was supposed to come into the Big House and kick our tails up and down the field. Yet despite that, we held the lead, right up to the last ten seconds.

And then our punter forgot how to field the snap.

Stinks.

Let me finish this with three observations.  First, life does not revolve around football.  There are other things in life that are far more important.  In the end, this game, like all other football games, pales in comparison to things far more important and far more crucial.   I know people who have been in serious accidents and I also know people who are wrestling with disease.  Whether the Wolverines or the Spartans win is far less important than prayer and concern for their health.

Now, having said that, let me say this for my second point: even in defeat, you can take pride in your team.  Yes, I know that the diehard fans of sports claim that there are no “moral victories,” but I respectfully disagree.  My Wolverines outmatched and outmaneuvered the Spartans for every moment of the game, save for the bad call at the end, and that’s a good thing to see.  This team, only 5-7 last year, is now 5-2, and I’m fairly confident that we’ll make more wins before the end of the season.  In fact, I’m pretty positive it will happen.

And the third point: to the Spartan fans out there, congratulations.  Regardless of how it happened, it’s a W in your column.  But it’s also fair and accurate to say that the better team did not win that game tonight.  Your win happened because of a Michigan misstep and nothing more.  So feel free to celebrate, but know that your win was given to you.

Okay, that’s enough for me to say.  I’m still writing and working.  In fact, I’m pretty sure my next villain will have attended college in East Lansing 😀

See you in the Vein!
J. Dean

Separated at Birth?