There’s something I need to tell you.
It might be hard to take.
You might love me a little less.
It might take our relationship back a few steps.
You might regret giving me that oil on canvas portrait you did of me.
I’m what you call “minimally invested” in the BYU football program. Historically, I have not been amused by it in the slightest.
I admit – I’ve felt personally injured the fans of the BYU dynasty in general. This is all just as personal for me as it is for you and I probably just need to get over it. But let’s take a look back:
First off, I was raised by University of Utah fans. As a family, we bleed…red. (And so do you, by the way, in case it’s been a while since you checked.)
Growing up, it irked me to no end when it was assumed that because I was Mormon, I would rather simply die of shame than attend a university other than BYU.
Later, going to BYU-Idaho for all four years of my college education, I was ever so peeved that it was assumed that I was there because I couldn’t get into “the real BYU.” (I did get in. I chose a different direction. Let that sink in.)
Living in Salt Lake City after college, I started to think the rivalry between the U of U and BYU was kind of fun. Of course, I was pre-calibrated to like the U. But from what I saw from the limited amount of sports exposure I force myself to have, I liked the U fans’ style of hating BYU. From my vantage point, it was all in good fun, and actually about football.
Then I moved to Provo, where liking the U isn’t a choice, it’s a character flaw/sin. Provo-ites tend to hate U fans because they drink. Provo-ites say things like “BYU wins because they’re living right when they’re off the field,” and various versions of the statement. And I just get flashbacks of people telling me that BYU-Idaho is not a valid university and judging me for not going to BYU because just because that’s what they chose, that it is the only right thing to do. Provo is a nice place to live, but Provo is dangerous. There’s no place on earth like it, and when you never leave you start to forget.
That being said, I’m trying to flirt with danger a little and like, cheer for BYU, and like, not roll my eyes when the subject of BYU football is broached, and like, join in on the “fun.”
But when BYU plays the U of U later this year, I will be wearing red under my clothes because my blood will still be red. Just like the blood of all those BYU fans I’ll likely be surrounded by.
It might be hard to take.
You might love me a little less.
It might take our relationship back a few steps.
You might regret giving me that oil on canvas portrait you did of me.
I’m what you call “minimally invested” in the BYU football program. Historically, I have not been amused by it in the slightest.
I admit – I’ve felt personally injured the fans of the BYU dynasty in general. This is all just as personal for me as it is for you and I probably just need to get over it. But let’s take a look back:
First off, I was raised by University of Utah fans. As a family, we bleed…red. (And so do you, by the way, in case it’s been a while since you checked.)
Growing up, it irked me to no end when it was assumed that because I was Mormon, I would rather simply die of shame than attend a university other than BYU.
Later, going to BYU-Idaho for all four years of my college education, I was ever so peeved that it was assumed that I was there because I couldn’t get into “the real BYU.” (I did get in. I chose a different direction. Let that sink in.)
Living in Salt Lake City after college, I started to think the rivalry between the U of U and BYU was kind of fun. Of course, I was pre-calibrated to like the U. But from what I saw from the limited amount of sports exposure I force myself to have, I liked the U fans’ style of hating BYU. From my vantage point, it was all in good fun, and actually about football.
Then I moved to Provo, where liking the U isn’t a choice, it’s a character flaw/sin. Provo-ites tend to hate U fans because they drink. Provo-ites say things like “BYU wins because they’re living right when they’re off the field,” and various versions of the statement. And I just get flashbacks of people telling me that BYU-Idaho is not a valid university and judging me for not going to BYU because just because that’s what they chose, that it is the only right thing to do. Provo is a nice place to live, but Provo is dangerous. There’s no place on earth like it, and when you never leave you start to forget.
That being said, I’m trying to flirt with danger a little and like, cheer for BYU, and like, not roll my eyes when the subject of BYU football is broached, and like, join in on the “fun.”
But when BYU plays the U of U later this year, I will be wearing red under my clothes because my blood will still be red. Just like the blood of all those BYU fans I’ll likely be surrounded by.
6 comments:
I don't even know what to say, and hope your parents don't see this.
What has happened to my sweet little niece who knew right from wrong? What's next, singing along with "rise and shout"?
I blame this on your Joel Mchale look alike boyfriend.
hahahahahahahahahah hilarious. let's get froyo tomorrow- DURING THE GAME.
So get this. I don't know Jack about football. All I know is that I'm getting tired of all these zoobies and their fixation with the team. They think it's somehow infused into our religion and in order to make it to the Celestial Kingdom you must be a fan. It's getting annoying. Sorry if this upsets anyone. I've never really been into sports so I guess I can't relate but I wish people would just calm down about it. It's not life or death. Like when we were just in Levan and during Sac Meeting that bishop said "this will help those who had doubts about the Church whether it's true or not" (referring to the previous nights' win). It's all in good fun I know, but in my opinion, it just gets way too extreme for me. Call me crazy. And I'm no less of a person because I'm getting a Bachelors at UVU. ;)
i've probably never told you this... but my dad is a byu coach and i have two brothers on the team ;) ...this post made me laugh because everything you said is dead on. you said it perfectly, and that's coming from a BYU fan/family member... love it
i've probably never told you this... but my dad is a byu coach and i have two brothers on the team ;) ...this post made me laugh because everything you said is dead on. you said it perfectly, and that's coming from a BYU fan/family member... love it
You have no idea who I am but this post was GENIUS! I recently made a post also about slightly bashing BYU fans. Just the crazy ones that call the opposing team 'lamenites' or other sacrilegious stuff like that. And the fact that just because I am mormon I in fact despise BYU and I get ticked when people assume I went there. Sing it sister!
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