I kind of liked Michigan as a kid with their fight song, Big House, uniforms, etc. Not sure if I'd consider them my 2nd favorite team now but enjoyed seeing them take down the Irish last weekend. Hearing Miles talk about Bo and those years gives me added appreciation for them. If I recall correctly, we've never played Michigan in our entire history.
Florida State.. I have always liked their war chant and the Tomahawk on the side of the helmet is simply remarkable. If I were a football player in the state of Florida I would not be able to pass up the on FSU.. They have a lot of tradition there much like LSU.
One of my best friends during my years at LSU was originally from Oneonta, AL. His dad was the starting fullback for Auburn during the Sullivan years. He dropped a pass (fly route down sidelines) when LSU won 21-20 that likely would have been the difference in the game. When Katrina happened, my buddy was living in Ft. Lauderdale and still had family in Oneonta. He was extremely moved by Katrina and (with help of dad/family) rented busses to pick up as many refugees as possible and bring them to Oneonta. When they arrived, the people of Oneonta immediately drove them back to wherever they wanted to go (i.e. if they had family in BR, Atlanta, wherever). For the rest that had nowhere to go, the community of Oneonta helped build houses for them with plans to create jobs so they could stay long term. Most of the refugees had never really worked before so the plan wasn't quite the happy ending but guessing that at least a few are still living there today.
Atlanta Braves fans in the 90s permanently poisoned that whole practice for me. However, I was classmates with Travis Minor and met Warrick Dunn a few times, so I pulled for the Noles pretty consistently through that era. Travis & Warrick both class-acts. Travis & I used to cheat off of each other in chemistry class my junior year. He was really down to earth, and never once acted like he knew he was some huge football stud. My freshman year, while at football practice one Friday afternoon, Warrick came to visit and had Charlie Ward with him, and I had the chance to meet him. That was pretty awesome.
Florida State. I came to football in the late 80s and early 90s so LSU was pretty much an afterthought in my household. I loved Florida State and still keep up with them today. LSU turned me permanently one night in '97 playing against a certain #1 team that was despised by the Seminoles. Me and two friends got in free because the girls we came to visit that day had tickets and didn't want to go. Had one of the best times of my life. After the game we hooked back up with the girls and ended up getting pulled into one of the white frat parties. We got drunk for free but knew it was time to go when one of the guys said, "dude, I would love for one you guys to fu(& my girlfriend." She was smiling like she was with it. Nah buddy, we're gonna go ahead and leave but thanks for the great time, lol. I don't know who my Dad liked, but he hated Alabama and I didn't know why until I got older.
He is. He went to Catholic, but graduated the year before I started. However, he lifted at our weight room ocassionally during the summer before he started at FSU. He is seriously a great guy. He started that foundation to help struggling single mothers get houses of their own. Remember, his mom was a cop in BTR and was killed one night by a thief trying to rob an ATM. The world really needs more athletes like him.
