I am a Cardinal fan through and through. No matter the teams record, I will support them. Things have been a little rocky at the University over the past couple of years. I’ve weathered the storm as good as could be expected. But over the past few days, there are two things that gotten to a point that I can no longer hold it back.
The first thing is all the “fire Bobby” talk. Look, I completely understand why everyone is chanting it but what does it help? Really, Is it productive in any way, shape or form? As I told you in last week’s Nunnsense, Bobby isn’t going anywhere. I told you the school doesn’t have the 14 million to buy him out and most people gave me grief for my opinion. Many of you expressed your belief that my article was “fake news” and that Bobby was gone no matter what. Now a board member has come out and supported my statement. Again, I’m telling you, Bobby is our coach. Only way he gets bought out is if a donor pays his buyout. It doesn’t matter if you like it or not. That’s just how it is right now. So, let’s make the best of it. Let’s support the student athletes. Let’s hope Bobby rallies the troops and we win 4 more games. Don’t you want to make the best of what is left of our season? I do. I will never cheer for the Cards to lose just to get rid of a coach. That’s just dumb. I can’t make you go to the games. It’s your money and if you choose not to spend it watching Louisville football, that is your choice. But if you are at the game, please stop yelling at Bobby during the game. At the last game, I stood on the sideline and listened to this belligerent fan that sat at about the 50 yard line, right behind the bench, yelling at Bobby for an extended period of time. His words were not for children and were pretty harsh. I’m fine expressing your feelings about a guy not performing up to his pay grade but don’t do it in front of the team. There was also a lady sitting at about the 25 yard line approximately 7 or 8 rows up. She too expressed her displeasure in Bobby, and his staff’s, ability to coach football. So again I ask, how does that help? It doesn’t so please stop!
Things will get better in time. Just be patient. I remember my first Louisville football game. It was in 1983 vs Pitt. Louisville got waxed 55-10. They finished the season 3-8. I was there in 1989 when Southern Miss blocked our game winning field goal attempt with about 20 seconds left and then Brett Favre threw a game winning Hail Mary. During the Ron Cooper era I was jumped by 10-12 members of the football team while on campus. I was blamed/credited for the firing of Cooper after my story made the news (that’s a story for another day). My point is, I’ve been given every reason to not support Louisville football but there isn’t anything that will keep me away. The main reason is because I am 100% sure that things will get better. I’m hoping that happens this season but whether It does or not, I’ll be there to celebrate when it does. For all those bad memories, there is also the memories of the Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, watching a Heisman winner – just to name a few. Every program has good times and bad times. We are in a bad time right now but it won’t last forever. Don’t let it deter your fandom. I’m in for better or worse and I want you all there with me when things get better.
The second thing that I’ve had enough of is something that comes from non Louisville fans. It’s the term “Death Penalty.” First of all, most people don’t know what the death penalty actually is. Well, it’s banning a team from play for an entire year. It’s been 31 years since it happened to SMU football and it will never happen again. I’m not saying Louisville won’t get more punishment from the Adidas scandal but the death penalty is not going to be handed down to Louisville or any other school. It’s just not! So stop saying it. People are just using the term for the WOW factor to get clicks or to try and make Louisville look worse than the other schools involved. Yes, Louisville was on probation and still made NCAA infractions. Should they be punished? Absolutely but the death penalty is not going to be handed down. Enough with that talk.
As Always, GO CARDS!
Love your site. I agree with you. Have been a fan since 1980. Have only missed 9 home games in that time frame. These are kids. Young kids. They have been raised in a different generation and I know it must be hard to coach them. They have never been told they are losers. Most of them can’t take criticism, so I feel for the coaches. We will be fine. All the people sitting around me just want them to play the best they can. We don’t expect Lamar Jackson plays all the time. Card fan forever!!!