Saturday, college football season began at the Ferguson house.
It started with my dear husband rising at the crack of dawn to begin watching pre-game commentary on SEC network and ESPN Game Day. He was drinking out of his lucky coffee cup, as he prepared for the 11 a.m. kickoff of the Mississippi State Bulldogs as they took on the Ragin’ Cajuns from the University of Louisiana.
I decided to come into the office to prepare for the shortened deadline due to the Labor Day holiday. Truth be told, the office often beckons loudest when any Mississippi State sport is on television – football, baseball, basketball, table tennis – depending on the season.
Prior to heading to Winona, I sat back and observed my sweet husband. Wrinkled forehead. White knuckles around his cellphone that displayed the MSU blog. Tension showing in his shoulders as he reclined in his new recliner and waited for the action.
The yelling began at kickoff. He was encouraging one of them – he knows them all by name – to “get the ball.” And not two minutes after, he was “woo-hooing” as the Bulldogs put seven points on the board.
This was good! He is happy. Nothing has been thrown. He is smiling and encouraging the players – like they can hear him. But, he is happy.
One second later, he is screaming at the television, “Well, just let him walk on in.” Apparently, the Ragin’ Cajuns scored. Sweet Lord.
I quickly gathered my things and headed to the office, but I was rewarded with updates throughout the day with his, e’hem, colorful commentary.
Mind you, the Bulldogs defeated the Ragin’ Cajuns 38-28. I’m sure most Bulldog fans were excited about the win. And Keith was, as soon as the time ran out. But bless his heart! He is going to have a major medical event if he doesn’t calm down during the game.
One of his childhood friends commented to a photo I posted on Facebook of Keith watching the game, “It is so much fun to watch with him though.”
It is definitely entertaining, but I’m not sure if the neighbors agree.
Dean’s take on game day? “Daddy is crazy.”
Through the mouths of babes the truth is known.
On the other hand, my Ole Miss Rebels lost to the University of Memphis, 20-15, in their opening game. I didn’t even watch the game live but kept up with the score online as I worked at the computer. I don’t get upset when the Rebels lose a game or 10 because no matter what the scoreboard says, it will never make me cheer for another school. I will love Ole Miss even if the Rebels never played in another sporting event.
To me, it isn’t about winning or losing. It’s about my memories of Ole Miss. I rang in Y2K while watching Ole Miss play the University of Oklahoma in the Independence Bowl on New Year’s Eve. I watched the end of the game standing in a circle around the television as my college roommate counted down the New Year with Dick Clark from the doorway of another room.
Ole Miss football is about laughing with friends and spending beautiful fall days in the Grove and spending Saturdays in front of the television with fellow Rebel fans as we “Hotty Toddy” every first down.
Although I am an Ole Miss fan through and through, I do cheer for Mississippi State. It makes Keith happy, and I am a big fan of that.
Do I wish he could be a little less dramatic on game day? Absolutely. But you never know. I might just package my crazy Bulldog fan and figure out a way to share him with the world – censored, of course.
