MOORE — I am writing this letter to Oklahoma University football fans that will be making the trip Saturday for the game against the University of Washington. I need all of you to do me a small favor.
Please do not be too hard on the UW fans while you are up there. I am not asking this for me, even though I lived there for six years. In fact, normally I would take great delight in seeing the Pacific Northwest crowd get lambasted as the Sooners roll through them.
But, I am requesting you take it easy on them because they have been through a lot this year. First, they had their beloved NBA franchise taken from them because a slick, huckster from little old Oklahoma took advantage of the big city officials earlier in the year.
Then just last weekend, the Washington fans had their hearts ripped out, yet again. Not by some gas mogul or coffee baron, but by the NCAA. To be specific it was the newly adopted rule nine, section two, article two that hurt the Huskies and their fans in their game against BYU.
After running for a 3-yard touchdown closed the gap to one point against BYU, UW quarterback Jake Looker flipped the football behind his head so he could greet his exuberant teammates. Looker had seemingly sent the game into overtime and he was excited and emotional. All that was needed was the game-tying extra point for the moment to be completed.
Instead, the PAC-10 officials calling the game intervened. Field judge Mike McCabe threw a flag and penalized Looker for celebrating. Or as rule nine, section two, article two states, “throwing the ball high into the air.”
The Huskies had to back up 15 yards for the now 35-yard extra point, which was blocked by BYU defensive end Jan Jorgensen. Game over.
I hope you can see my point. Washington was the first team that was officially hurt by the NCAA’s new stance on fun being had during football games. They have joined the NFL in this new policy to do away with anything spontaneous or exciting. It seems to be working.
The NCAA adopted these new policies during the offseason in hopes of curbing increasing amount of individual celebration that takes place during games.
While I agree that it can be taken too far at times, banning all things fun is taking things too far the other direction.
Spiking the ball is outlawed in this new era of homogenized college football. The spike has been around as long as helmets with facemasks and cheerleaders.
Even more than professional football, college is about the pure joy of playing the game. There are no agents, public relations managers or signing bonuses. It is a bunch of teenagers trying to win and play the game they love. When that takes place, unexpected fits of joy can happen. It’s what makes the game special.
But I guess the NCAA rule makers have other ideas.
I hope you can see why I am asking you OU fans not to be too tough on the Husky fans. When Sam Bradford throws for his third touchdown pass, you can make them cry in their imported, expensive beer. But after 10 minutes, hand them a handkerchief.
Because one day that could be you on the other end of the NCAA’s no-fun flag.
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