Football Schoolin'

I didn't know it but I was sitting on winning loto tickets - in a sense.

I had four tickets to the Baylor vs. Kansas State football game last night. Two of my family weren't interested in going, so David and I invited a couple of friends.  My friend, Brad, has coached football, played football, and I think, on occasion, actually eats footballs.  He is immensely more familiar with the game than I am.  Going to the game with me was, for him, like going to the Republican National Convention post-convention baseball game with European socialist tourist that only speaks French.

Brad and I in the cheap seats

OK, I'm not really sure what that meant, but let's just say it this way: he knows the game, I do not.

For instance, as we were in the Whataburger drive through getting some dinner before the game, he excitedly said to me "I can't believe you invited me to see the number one team in the nation!"  I knew enough to know that he was not referring to Baylor.  

"You mean Kansas State is ranked number one right now?"  I honestly had no idea.

Coughing on his double-meat double-cheese with no lettuce, Brad refrained from the opportunity to belittle my manhood.  I was grateful.  But I was also a little discouraged, since I figured that meant Baylor would lose badly.  This was the only game I planned to attend this year, and I didn't want to have my team down by, like, a hundred points or something.

You see, I am enough of a fan to watch Baylor play, but not enough of a fan to care about any other team.  I care about the school, not the game.  Well, that's not true. I also care enough to smile a little when Texas A&M loses.  Last year A&M abandoned century-old rivalries to join the SEC and get a more lucrative television contract. I think that represents the worst in collegiate athletics.  That and I think maroon is just plain ugly.

At any rate, Brad patiently schooled me on football during the game and I enjoyed it more because of it.  

And they played spectacularly.

And Baylor defeated the top-ranked team in the nation for the first time in school history!  I could not believe it.  I loved it.  It was the most fun I have ever had at a football game.  Thanks Baylor! Thanks Brad!

David watches the Baylor fans storm the field after defeating Kansas State 54-24.