FanPost

Are We Really the Greatest Fans In College Football?

I am curious about how Nebraska fans can consider themselves the “best fans in college football”? We seem to go above and beyond to extend hospitality and courtesy to those who visit from other teams, yet….we quickly and viciously turn and attack our own. How can this be a characteristic of the “greatest fans in college football”? I recognize the shortcoming of our current team and our current staff. I realize that we have great expectations (and we should). But, can we really be the greatest fans if we do not support our own team? Really?!? If we extend hospitality and we applaud opposing teams as they leave the field, and we are recognized as nice people to have at your tailgate when we visit opposing teams…why can we NOT encourage and support our Cornhuskers as they currently exist (a flawed and imperfect team that achieves above and beyond what they should in most cases).

If we cannot encourage and support our own team and coaches when they need it most, are we really the greatest fans? Have we taken this mantra too far and allowed it take on its own identity? I have suffered through embarrassing losses and enjoyed [not enough] great wins with this current administration. I understand the frustration and need to reclaim our place as an elite team in college football. We [as Cornhusker fans] can and always should expect the most from our teams, but to see the boo-birds and fire-_____ fans show up, I am embarrassed. It is not just our coaches and players that should put forward their best foot, but our fans have embraced the ‘greatest’ label and they should live up to it. It does not extend only to our treatment of other teams, BUT OUR OWN. If we cannot encourage and pick up our own team when it is on the ropes—are we really the greatest fans in college football. I argue that WE ARE NOT. Our passion for college football is easy and expected when we win 3 NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS in four years. But does anyone remember the long road it took to get there?

It is easy to claim the title of “greatest fans” when our team is at an elite level. I argue that our [Nebraska fans] true colors will show when our team stumbles and falls. We are proving ourselves to not be the greatest fans. I think that we can and should expect more of ourselves. If we cannot expect a minimum amount of support from our own, how can we expect kids from California, Texas, the Southeast, Ohio, or anywhere else to believe that they enjoy the support of a legendary fan base. How can our coaches recruit and encourage fair-weather players to come to the Midwest and give their all for dear old NU?

Before we point fingers…Cornhusker fans…we can AND SHOULD…expect the highest of ourselves. Constructive criticism, observations, and our own expectations are not a bad thing. However, bashing and screaming is not helpful when we commence to lynch and advocate firing coaches and benching players who give everything for this program. Do we expect a lot—yes. Should we expect a lot—yes? Should we treat people who are giving their best like dirt—NO!

Remember what happened last time we felt like we were "gravitating toward mediocrity?". I do not want a repeat of that. Should we ignore poor performances? No! Should we run good athletes who are giving their best into the ground? NO! Are we where we want to be? No. Can this group of coaches/players help us build the team and recruit the people who will get us there? Yes!

Show you are the greatest fans in college football by cheering for your team, even as you recognize the flaws and warts we all have. Demand more, but do not jeopardize the baseline that has been built. Do your best to be an asset to our current program and help them encourage elite players to embrace and become part of the NU tradition. In other words...BE the BEST fans in college football.

This FanPost created by a registered user of Corn Nation.

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