Proudly Bleeding Green
I’ve been labeled traitor. I grew up sweating maize and blue, now I bleed Spartan green. As a youngster, I spent fall afternoons in my best friend’s house watching the Michigan Wolverines. With their intelligent, ever-talented football players, they won multiple conference championships, and one national championship.
Today, I have more passion for Michigan State. As a former student of the school, and former peer of players, I share a bond with the Spartans. I realized the majority of “die hard” Michigan fans were never students and had no affiliation to the school. A certain disdain grew for a university that methodically has better players and more fans, because it’s easy to be on the Wolverine bandwagon. With one choice, you’re always on the winning side. It is hard to be a Michigan State fan. I now choose that struggle.
During and after Michigan State’s loss this weekend to the mighty Wolverines, two situations irritated me significantly. Both involved the attitudes of fellow Spartans, and why those attitudes are wrong.
First, the dim-witted Spartan fan who cheered with no class. My cousin, a bandwagon Michigan fan (bless her heart), watched the game with us and cheered loudly during the Wolverine’s highs. When Michigan State commandeered a ten-point advantage in the waning moments, a certain Spartan thought the necessary retort was to stand up, and give the middle finger to our poor Michigan follower. Repeatedly. What says “I’m happy my team is winning” like giving the finger to those who wish otherwise?
To me, this attitude parallels the issues Michigan State’s football team has had over the years. Every time they’re on the right track, there’s a coach who leaves for money, a player arrested, a late hit out of bounds, or a couch burned. The day Spartans consistently conduct themselves with class, at all levels, is the day they compete with the big boys. I’m not stereotyping all Spartans, but the few who fit the bill define the school.
My second moment occurred in the parking lot after the game. As a plethora of dejected Spartan fans exited the bar, a girl looked at a guy in a Michigan t-shirt and stated, “Hah, you almost lost to State.”
Seriously? What does this say about your school and your expectations? I’m not happy with moral victories. If the team has the same attitude, it’s no wonder they never win the big games. I want Michigan State to beat the Wolverines. Especially when they’re having a good season, and things seem to be on the “right track”. Losses are setbacks, and they hurt.
It’s easy being a Michigan fan, but it hurts being a State fan. I bleed when I’m hurt, and I bleed green.
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bandwagon. n. a party, cause, movement, etc., that by its mass appeal or strength readily attracts many followers