Ode to Southern Football

Ode To Southern Football
Sport and Heritage
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=southernfootball
2/1/11


Winter and Spring: In this section the writer talks about all of the traditions of crazy football fans around the south. He says that this is the time when all of the stories are told reliving past memories and telling stories about tailgating. This is the time of the year when the football season has just recently finished, and fans are already itching for it to begin again. There is recruiting going on that just keeps football fans in the mood for the fall to eventually begin. He talks about how all of the SEC schools have their own traditions including: Rocky Top, Toomer’s corner, and “Pig Sooie.” All of the stories are told around the dinner table or even deer camps and tree stands.

Summer: In this section he talks about how the mood starts to heat up thinking that football season is right around the corner. The college towns are empty and restaurants are easier to be seated in. He mentions that fans are like players; they can get too fired up too far in advance. It is hard not to get fired up when hearing about summer practices in the heat and even the SEC media days in Hoover, Alabama. Towards the end of the summer it is obvious that the season is right around the corner.

Summer Turns to Fall: This section is primarily about the SEC media days in Hoover, Alabama, and all of the tension and excitement that they bring to coaches, fans, and reporters alike. The tension of knowing that the football season is here in a few weeks is intense. The coaches are friends during the media days, but the mood will change as soon as they all get on their respective planes to fly home. They are all undefeated at this point and have a huge smile on their face on the plane.

Fall: When fall gets here it is time to “rock and roll.” The writer talks about how school is now in session and football season is finally here. He mentions how he watches practice then makes his way to sit in the empty stadium imagining it full from top to bottom with fans of all ages. He closes his eyes and sees the Vol Navy and little girls saying “Tiger bait.” Football season is finally here and it is game time.

Estarr10