(01-07-2013 02:55 PM)FlashFan Wrote: (01-07-2013 12:51 AM)AlphaFlash Wrote: What is the deal with out fans??? We waited for this for 40 years. People spend all that money, travel 1000 miles... AND THEN SIT THERE! The ASU fans definitely ousted our sorry fanbase. When people say NE Ohio is a football area, I laugh.
AND THEN BLOODY LEAVE AFTER WE DIDN'T MAKE THE LAST FIRST DOWN! IT'S A BOWL GAME, get over yourselves!
On behalf of those in Section G with sore throats today for yelling for almost four hours last night, I object. Everyone around me was loudly into the game. There were nearly double the number of ASU fans. They were louder. But we did the best we could.
I'm a little tired today, so my irritation over criticism of KSU fans is a bit raw. I met people who made a considerable effort to get to Mobile and be involved. It was not just a NE OHIO bunch. I met KSU fans from Dallas, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Chicago (OK, I already knew you ) Denver, Atlanta and Naples, Florida. Lots of fans drove 10 to 15 hours both ways from all directions to be there. I met one couple who got off a plane from their holiday trip at 7:00 PM Saturday night and got on one at 7:00 AM Sunday morning to be in Mobile. My 6:30 AM flight to Houston from Mobile this morning held several bleary eyed, sleep deprived Flashes. Others just as wiped out were waiting for other flights.
The KSU pre game tailgate may have been the best alumni event I've ever attended. It was sold out with about 300 people squeezed into a tent. Even L2 got rowdy, or as rowdy as he gets. Coach Haynes got a standing O and inspired us to keep hopes high. Someone asked me: "When have you see this many KSU football fans this happy?" A long time ago.
So, the lack of sleep has set in. I am irritated. It's time to thank the 2,500 KSU fans who went to tremendous effort to get to the Go Daddy Bowl. You managed to find the parade, the oysters and the beer. You bought the gear. You sat in cold dampness for four hours. You yelled, you stomped your feet, you waved signs. You didn't see a winner, but you did your part. Thank you.
Thank you!!!!!! Am I disappointed in the ultimate outcome of this game? YES! I am, however, also at peace knowing myself and many others made the extrordinary effort and did everything they could to support this team.
I worked 9-5 on Friday and went home showered/packed, picked up my girlfriend and was on the road by 7pm. I drove straight through 'til I hit the 'Bama welcome center on 65 and basically shut the car off (4am) and passed out for 2 hours in the 28 degree cold....woke back up and drove the remaining 5 hours to Mobile where I arrived around noon...had an absolute blast in town that day on 2 hours shuteye.... Did the parade, fireworks, dinner and drinks and mingled with fans from both sides 'til late in the evening.
I myself thought the crowd was as good as it could of been for the game! Forget what section we were in, but everyone was pretty much standing the entire time. My shoes were blue after the game from stomping on the floor (fresh spray paint on the bleacher floors??) and I still as of writing this on Tuesday AM, do not have my full voice back (could barely talk yesterday).
We left yesterday at 9am after not returning back to our hotel until after 1am from the game and not going to sleep til around 2:30ish and drove straight through to Canton where we arrived at 1am this morning. I was in bed by 2am am now back at work for a full day with a desk full of stuff that was neglected yesterday. (working hard as you can see lol ;-)
I'm not throwing all this out there to say my fandom is greater than anybody who couldn't make it, nor to make myself a martyr, but just about every person I talked to shared an equally impressive/exhausting journey of getting there for gameday. As Flashfan already mentioned, I talked to people from all over the country most of whom had at the very minimal, a 10 hour drive. The guy we set next to at the game was driving straight to New Orleans after the game to fly out that night so he could work the next morning.
So between the lack of sleep and wet, cold temps if some people weren't as energetic as others think they should've been, please get them a break, I promise you they wouldn't have been there if they weren't interested in supporting this team. I think we had one hell of a showing in Mobile, and couldn't be happier with my overall experience! Myself and most of the people around me let loose and poured are heart and soul into the game just as our guys did.
It will without a doubt be one of the better weekends of my life. Here's hoping for a similar experience next bowl season!!!!
Go Flashes!!!!!!!!!!!
