College Football
Howdy,
We’ve been going a little hard to the paint, so let’s lightn’ things up: let’s talk college football!
My beloved Texas A&M Fighting Aggies will play Notre Dame at Kyle Field in less than a week. Around ten years ago, I circled this game on my calendar and told my friends, “We must go to this one!”
I’ve been a diehard Aggie since birth. And in the late 80s and early 90s, being an Aggie football fan was fun. Hell, I can admit it. I was spoiled. We won conference championships and always played in a New Year’s Eve game—those were the days!
But it’s been nearly 30 years since our last conference championship (1998). Sure, we’ve had a few great seasons - the 2020 Orange Bowl and the 2012 Cotton Bowl championships.
That’s it—two great seasons.
Last time we won the national championship? 1939.
LOL.
Needless to say, it’s been a difficult last thirty years. We have a new head coach, Mike Elko, after we let it rain all over Jimbo Fischer’s overpriced head. Sigh. Aggies are great capitalists. We can make money hand over fist.
However, perhaps we should work on how we construct coaching contracts?
Anyway, I just can’t stomach the energy to get invested anymore. Don’t get me wrong; I’ll probably still watch the game, but I don’t have the power to get all riled up anymore. Meh.
I love college football. I grew up watching texas university (tu) and A&M games throughout my childhood. It was always a treat. I had a great time and could tell you some hilarious stories about college football games in Texas.
But the game has changed—and that’s a good thing. I’m happy that these players are getting paid. They deserve it. Elite college athletes are full-time professional athletes.
Regardless, it’s just not for me anymore. I enjoyed watching players get recruited and stay at universities for their entire careers. While that will still happen occasionally, it’s the exception, not the norm.
Today, A&M published its two-deep roster—and I barely knew anyone. They brought in an entirely new roster. Who knows how much that cost—millions?
Meh.
I’ve been kicking around the idea of following a local Div II or Junior College team. Who knows?
I will always be an Aggie, and if they ever put it together before I pass from this planet, then it’ll be magical. But I’m 46 years old, and my heart can only deal with so much heartache. That’s what A&M football has been like throughout the last quarter century—one heartache after another.
Why do that to yourself?
I can’t. I won’t! I promise I’m over it!
(famous final words)
Civilian Casualties
We’ve got a great episode tomorrow with Joanna Naples-Mitchell, a human rights attorney working with families harmed by U.S. foreign military actions.
Whispers of Aqsa
Aqsa Rahamani is back with another great essay examining the Taliban’s newest asinine rule.
Then, a hard thud hit the door of my class and destroyed all the peace. Very violent and scary men entered with guns ready to fire. I looked at them, then at my students; fear was everywhere; it was clear from my students’ eyes that they took refuge in me and that my presence had given them a sense of security.
Oh, I was trembling with fear. It is painful to bring up this memory, but I must reveal what pain Afghan women are going through.
I used all my courage and asked, “Who are you?”
Ok, party people, just a reminder we’ll be out the first week of September.
Until Next Time
I was born and raised in Washington DC and it took me years to get over the Redskins. We had a glory decade under Coach Joe Gibbs, who is still the first coach to win the Super Bowl with three different quarterbacks. Then we fell off a cliff.
Then they argued for 20 years over whether to change the name. I always said we should keep the Redskins and put a red potato on the helmet. Now, this sorry team is commanding nobody.
Hook ‘em