Here is what I know - these are the facts of life.
College football is more religious than religion is.
When you go to a game at a large school, a football school, it’s a religious experience.
People pray.
They sing.
They dance.
They hold hands.
That magnificent stadium that holds more than 50,000 people is not a stadium.
It’s a church, a temple, a sacred place that is revered for miles around.
I saw God at that game, guys, and it was fantastic. We also won 48-0 at the home game I attended, which helps a lot.
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On Saturday, the home team won the conference championship.
I’m trying to be respectful of the people around me who went to this school and who have spent years here - because I’ve been here for eight months.
This is a new love for me.
On Saturday, my Dad was in town and my wonderful job gave me tickets for the basketball game that night.
Earlier that day, my Dad and I listened as our football team beat an undefeated team in overtime with a field goal.
And then we went to Walmart, as did everyone else after the game.
Walmart was a madhouse.
And then that night, we went to the basketball game.
A minute or so before halftime, the crowd started looking towards one part of the court.
I had no idea what was going on. We were walking up the stairs when I punched my dad in the back and told him to turn around.
They stared playing highlights of the football game on the big screen. The crowd cheered - it wasn’t sold out, but there was a pretty solid crowd there that night.
It was a moment.
And then we started walking up the stairs again, and I had to go punch my dad in the back again (lovingly, to get his sports-loving attention.)
My words were something like: THEY’RE HERE.
You guys, the football team walked out o to the court, and you would not believe the noise that arena made at the sight.
I guess I assumed they’d be on a bus all night to get back to Kansas. I was wrong.
The boys are back in town!
I screamed at the top of my lungs, as did everyone around me. I looked around at everyone around me, and all I saw was love and camaraderie and passion and purple.
The purple!
That was a moment that I’m glad I got to share with my Dad.
I had no idea it was going to happen.
We ended up winning the basketball game, a close game, an opponent that is not my alma Mayer, but my former school (I don’t claim it.)
I wore purple.
The second half of that game was as if we were playing for the national championship. The team was in fire, the crowd went nuts and you would not believe the energy and love in that room.
I cried, guys. I freaking cried.
It was incredible.
I did not go to school here, but I am here now and this is my town.
Those Cats though!
