I post this not to make fun of Michigan fans, but don't worry, the jokes will be posted, so send them my way if you think you have a good one. I put up this entry to highlight a concern of mine. I think the reputation of Ohio State fans is not accurate. I imagine some opposing fans have been harassed, but I think OSU fans get blamed for a lot more than they deserve. So I ask OSU fans, don't be a jerk to Michigan fans. I ask Michigan fans, if something legitimately happens to you, report it to the police, and don't fabricate stories.
A Michigan fan sounds off on Columbus
BuckeyeXtra.com
Monday, November 13, 2006
Editor's note: The e-mail below was received Sunday. It appears here unedited, except for the removal of the writer's name. We invite your responses.
Once again UM fans will dare to travel to Columbus through a blockade of eager Ohio state troopers seeking any Michigan license plated car traveling at least 1 mile an hour over the speed limit. On arriving at the game they will try to walk between the multitude of drunk, obscene, and offensive fans, many dressed in the guise of well dressed graduates, to see if they can slow the UM arrivals with threats of rape and dismemberment; or if they can simply impede their path physically to the stadium. At the stadium they will be both verbally assaulted and will be forced to withstand occasional missiles or simple spit. Should OSU win, they will be attacked physically for DARING to invade Columbus to play the beloved buckeyes. Some will even get hurt, others simply will need to shed their UM garb and gear in order to get out of town peacefully. Meanwhile hundreds of police will be forced to stand guard to protect UM band players from being pelted with heavy locks and chains as in years past.
My wife and I have made the trip to Columbus many times and have both witnessed all of the above, and finally, in the year OSU won its "national championship"*, actually endured the physical end of it ourselves. We have skipped the UM-OSU game in Columbus since then because, as we have gotten older, its just not worth it. We just left Indiana to see UM play and it was a great weekend. UM and IU fans mingled after the game and like in Ann Arbor, it didn't get ugly. It only gets ugly in Columbus. I used to think it was just for this game but I read the news after OSU fans mangled Texas fans in true buckeye fashion. Frankly, I hope you are prepared for the first time someone gets killed as a result of fan behavior in Columbus.
I write this in sadness because Columbus is actually a very pleasant city to visit and we love the restaurants downtown and even the dance competitions which always coincided with the big game. We will skip them again.
No comments:
Post a Comment