A wise take on professional sports fandom and the level of emotion today from Coach Harbaugh. Something everyone should hear/read and think about.
Coach Harbaugh is truly becoming more wise with age. I know his comments in this article focus primarily on the players, coaches, and the media, but I think they can easily be extended to us fans. The level of hate we manufacture within ourselves for people (sometimes kids/players) we don't really know is unhealthy. I know that distancing myself from sports fandom over the last couple years has done wonders for my own mental health and I bet there are many others that can say the same.
To be clear, I don't think there is anything wrong with disliking Ohio State or some of their recent actions (signgate). What I'm referring to is the hate. The animosity. The lack of respect when we interact with each other on social media and sometimes in person. I am no saint, but I have made an effort to no longer say things like "Fuck (insert college program/head coach/player here)." There are human beings on the other ends of statements like that. I try to keep that in mind as best I can when I write something on the internet.
I think these attitudes have invaded the NCAA and OSU in regards to Harbaughs suspensions. I also think this is his way of asking everyone to chill and remember there are more important things in life than winning football games.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:12 PM ^
ESPN.
Don't feed rats fleeing a sinking ship.
November 27th, 2023 at 5:07 PM ^
Worth pointing out it's also Tom VH, though.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:13 PM ^
Phew, that's better than the self-help seminar I went to after the 2020 season that's for sure.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:15 PM ^
Here's some my observation wrapped as message board wisdom -
It's indicative of society as a whole right now. Everyone is out for themselves. Full of greed. Us vs Them. etc. and it's deeply unhealthy.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:30 PM ^
There is almost no corner of popular culture right now that does not embrace self-centeredness and materialism.
Anyway...
November 27th, 2023 at 3:19 PM ^
It's almost like a subculture in America can't become popular without worshiping at the feet of the golden calves of consumerism and materialism.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:32 PM ^
Antisemitic
November 27th, 2023 at 3:53 PM ^
Lol nah. A statue made of gold that was taken from people in need, given to people in power, and then put to absolutely no good use is a perfect metaphor for modern society.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:30 PM ^
Yep. And given the state of society, acting only in your own self interest seems to be the most rational response. It's awful, and will probably be the end of our civilization but it is the logical thing to do.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:35 PM ^
I think when confronted with observable, verifiable threats to collective interests, people will act toward the collective good, provided 1) it is voluntary or perceived to be voluntary, 2 ) they share common core values to begin with.
November 27th, 2023 at 6:12 PM ^
That last one requires enforcement of standards. Our civilization currently holds tolerance as the one true religious tenant and you can't build a culture around the idea that anything goes as long as there is consent. The only thing that can come from this is rampant materialism and selfishness as they are utterly without criticism under the tolerance/consent ruling paradigm. Bring back social standards and shame. Unfortunately, that's not something people want to hear as they tilt at "hate" windmills in the most licentious society in human history. We'll just keep sliding until we're in the Brazilian gutter.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:59 PM ^
Humans have always been like this. This isn’t unique to our times but a fact of life of all times.
November 27th, 2023 at 6:29 PM ^
Absolutely. As is the hysteria that "things are getting worse." Things have been getting worse since the dawn of man. Yet, things are collectively better than ever before in human history. (Though things could definitely be much, much better.)
November 27th, 2023 at 6:16 PM ^
You’ve got that right and over the years it seems to have gotten worse. People are all about themselves and don’t care if they inconvenience people and are just plain pain in the asses. Not sure why it keeps going in this direction but it’s sad
November 27th, 2023 at 2:18 PM ^
I agree. I have a neighbor who recently move in and he had a Browns and OSU sticker on his car. We introduced our selves and told him we were Wolverines and he quit talking to us and won't acknowledge our existence. Childish at best. Makes no sense, our intense enjoyment of winning The Game is because of all of the losses we have endured. With out the other teams and parity the sport means nothing. Like I tell my son, never yell negative crap towards the other team, only yell positive stuff about ours. So Go Blue!
November 27th, 2023 at 2:22 PM ^
I have a new neighbor who's a big Wisconsin/Packers fan. We make it work.
I couldn't imagine living next to a Buckeye though. It's bad enough I have to work with a couple.
November 27th, 2023 at 6:10 PM ^
You hire Buckeyes in Moscow, Vlad? Yet another reason your country is all fucked up
November 27th, 2023 at 2:24 PM ^
sounds like you live next to an asshole
November 27th, 2023 at 2:47 PM ^
My neighbor is a Buckeye who moved into the neighborhood (Raleigh) three years ago. He watched the game with me and another Michigan fan the last two years. He stayed home for the game this year, but came over afterward to the bonfire. There are still good people out there.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:54 PM ^
Yeah I don't get it. And I consider myself a diehard fan, but I've met women who were Buckeye fans/grads who are very upfront and serious about not being able to date a Michigan fan.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:58 PM ^
They probably had cooties.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:23 PM ^
My wife is an OSU graduate, and she has switched allegiances to Michigan. Mainly because she doesn't want to deal with me being upset if they lose. Talk about an amazing woman. There is no chance I could have done the same for her. In fact, the only time I've worn an OSU shirt is for ugly sweater day for spirit week at the school where I teach. It makes it even better that I teach in the Columbus area and once the kids picked up on the joke, they were dying laughing.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:57 PM ^
My BIL is a Buckeye fan and we have had a running bet on the game for over 30 years. We have watched many of the games together over the years both at the stadium (only once in Columbus I refuse to go back) and at each others homes. He is a good guy and we make the rivalry work. In the end it is just a game and we can acknowledge that.
For some its just to hard to understand reality. Its their world and we just live in it.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:02 PM ^
You should throw a balls out watch party with 200 people in your yard this Saturday and set off fireworks, project a block M on the side of your house, sing HTTV every score, etc.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:19 PM ^
That's pathetic when grown ass adults let sports rivalries get in the way of basic, friendly neighbor relations. It's easy to blame Woody Hayes for this ridiculous hatred. I do it for sure. But the truth is people need to make their own choices in life and not stick to the bad example their parents set for them or follow the lead of an angry, hateful, old football coach who's long gone. One of the big problems today in our antagonistic and discordant interactions is group think making people lazy and not willing to think for themselves. The new neighbor doesn't have to act like a dick and not talk to fans of teams he doesn't like. It's a choice. A bad one, but still a choice.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^
With all due respect, and I do appreciate what you told your son, I feel that what Michigan has endured over the last 4-6 weeks is a stain on all of us with real links to the U of Michigan. In my case the link includes me and my two sons who spent a combined time of almost two decades at the University getting degrees and then doing residencies.
Don't know about some of you, but I don't like how the rogue actions of one individual with a personal agenda allows for the level of vitriol that we are receiving.
At the end of the game I was loudly yelling "F--K You Ryan Day." Over and over.
I do not apologize for my conduct. For what it's worth, I do not feel that way about the OSU players who played their hearts out and who also stood respecting Zak when he was being treated on the field nor would I not be friends with someone because of one's rooting interest. Day on the other hand....
November 27th, 2023 at 2:20 PM ^
100%. I love the rivalries we have with MSU and OSU. They are great for my enjoyment of the game. People I know who are fans/alums from those schools give me shit when they can and I return the favor. It's fun, and all in good fun.
The ridiculous shit I see on this board and others makes me glad I don't know most of you.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:38 PM ^
This should be (and used to be) a game where both teams and fans could congratulate each other for a great game played after it’s over.
The more recent extreme anger expressed toward Ryan Day was caused and amplified by none other than Ryan Day and his excuses. If he could be the type of coach everyone respects that takes responsibility for a loss and says at the end of a game the better team won, then none of this anger would be with us today. But his constant excuses of “5 plays”, “one half”, or “cheating” are what brought this on. And when (and if) he manufactured a scandal by hiring investigators to dig up dirt (real or not has yet to be determined, and apparently every program has dirt under a microscope), that’s where he’s crossed an even bigger line. Because crossing that line undermined the respect a group of student athletes deserve from a long, intense, team oriented, and high integrity three year effort. They don’t deserve that from anyone. Especially from the opposing coach.
Ryan Day should go and let’s restore honor to The Game.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:02 PM ^
I want to get behind this post but then Ohio put Tressel on their shoulders and would celebrate Urbs with no remorse or acknowledgement that he enabled a wife beater or any of the multiple Ohio tressel-passes that took honor away long ago.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:05 PM ^
They have always been the dirtiest program in the Big Ten. But there was a day when Bo and Woody respected each other.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:39 PM ^
Ryan Day should be negotiating with Summer's Eve or Massengill! This total loser from Manchester NH is the "expert" on the rivalry since landing on 3rd base. Hey Ryan, you coach like Butch Hobson or Devers play third base!!!
November 27th, 2023 at 2:42 PM ^
OSU is one thing, for me there’s a healthy dose of hatred but still respect. but what, exactly do you love about playing a bunch of criminals from EL every year who go out of their way to cheap shot our players?
November 27th, 2023 at 2:22 PM ^
The hate for this program is real when you consider that Ohio State sought to do more than win a rivalry game it no longer feels competent enough to compete on the field and win. And the realization ought to be that it drove the hatred to a point where manufacturing an alleged scandal is appropriate to accommodate its insecure failure at beating Michigan the last three years.
Part of this is institutional, most of it is historically driven by a losing culture which promulgates the idea that its success is dependent upon beating that school up north by any and all means possible. It is a funny paradox when you realize that it only equates success with being better, not playing better. That is the Michigan difference.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:24 PM ^
A lot of Buckeyes could be Wolverines and vice versa if the cookie had crumbled just a little differently. I never forget that.
I also believe in a degree of magnanimity in victory, so I've never believed in taunting people. Sure, some gentle ribbing, some ball busting is fair enough, but yeah some people definitely take it a little far.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:29 PM ^
I don't genuinely hate Ohio State. And even though The Game has had some scuffles, the games are usually much, much cleaner than any MSU game.
I don't know what you expect me to do with MSU. They literally victim blame Michigan for the tunnel, absolutely no shame. They pushed health and safety on the sign stealing and insist they're serious about that. There are some MSU people I literally cannot talk to about UM-MSU because I am afraid it won't stay civil.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:04 PM ^
Who's "they"? I don't talk to MSU fans who think that way. They think, rightly so, that this is just a side effect of being second chance U. They think those actions were despicable and used up that second chance. Good bye and good riddance.
Totally on board with that.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:18 PM ^
"They" are people with allegiances to MSU. You don't know them.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:52 PM ^
Oh, man. I totally agree. I live in Lansing area and the hatred "they" (MSU supporters) have toward Michigan is real. They would rather see Michigan lose over MSU winning (if they had to chose).
But I also still feel like OSU and the Big Ten have acted unethically towards Michigan. I don't know all the facts, but from my perspective, this conference has something against Michigan.
November 27th, 2023 at 7:11 PM ^
I have close friends who are MSU fans/alums. They were free to rib and taunt me during Mork’s prime, but the Nassau scandal dropped and they bristled at any insinuation that Mork or Izzo would protect rapists.
They also blamed the tunnel (albeit lightly) and hosted a playoff watch party to root for TCU. While I was not sorry to see MSU get hammered in the playoff, I would never host or attend a watch party to hate watch their game. It’s little brother syndrome through and through.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:30 PM ^
I was just reading this. The quote at the end is the kicker, for sure:
...Harbaugh said he believes the creation of hype from television networks is creating an unrealistic depiction of what this game really is.
"It's not healthy. It's not healthy for the student-athletes on either side when you're trying to put that much [pressure]," Harbaugh said. "That somebody's practically thinking it's life or death ... I would say it's not healthy for the young people."
And does ESPN recognize the irony of posting this? Who knows...
November 27th, 2023 at 2:32 PM ^
Traditionally OSU's shtick is being crazy and Michigan's is being arrogant and sanctimonious. Michigan has always had other rivals and until recently OSU has always hated Michigan more than Michigan hates OSU. I love how Harbaugh always focused on what's best for the players. If I'm a highschool recruit sign me up. Much rather player for Harbaugh than Kelley or some other scumbag. Yes, I'm talking to YOU Underwood. I still respect the hell out of OSU as a whole. They're a good football program. Lots of family and friends that root for OSU. Even Notre Dame I have some respect for and I recognize their rich tradition. That's why it's so satisfying in a very nuanced way when we kick their ass. It's fun to beat someone you actually fear a little and respect. I wish I could say the same for the MSU program, but I really think they're the worst when it comes to respekt levels. Zero admiration for that program. It really is like playing your little brother who too immature and emotional to have a fun competition with. Most of the OSU fans at the game were civil and tipped their hat to Michigan. I respect that. We lost 8 in a row at one point so I savor every one of these wins. Sure, I talk trash and gloat a bit but it comes from a more high humble and respectful place at this point in my life. Ryan Day is the one outlier here where I'll reserve my opportunity to trash him. I think OSU deserves better than him especially if it turns out he was so insecure/pathetic that he truly did orchestrate the sign stealing scandal. We'll see.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:08 PM ^
Yeah, same. I reciprocate the treatment I get from opposing rival fans. Most OSU alum fans are totally fine. They've had plenty of opportunity to taunt and have by and large shown more grace that I might have so I extend the same courtesy. Hell I even bought my coworker a little package of Buckeye candies to help him heal this morning
Online, of course, I'm a completely vile taunting asshole. :)
November 27th, 2023 at 4:15 PM ^
Haha yeah. There's definitely a distinction between online and in person.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:38 PM ^
This is a good find, thanks for sharing (I don't go to ESPN as much as I used to)
A lot of thoughts about Coach's comments, but my main one is about how important they are, and how applicable they are to a lot of societal issues beyond football.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:39 PM ^
Yeah, so many of our countrymen are really frustrated at this point in our history--sports are a wonderful but sometimes messy outlet. I'll bet a lot of people here are like myself in sometimes wanting to encourage our mgopals to ratchet it down a little. Glad that he's speaking up, especially now, when these words should carry weight.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:40 PM ^
My brother and I were both discussing that the amount of emotional stress we went through during that game was by no means healthy.
I will say I didn't feel that way the previous two years. A large faction of twats screaming at me that the last 3 years are only because of connor stallions and not those players on the field really got to me.
It put an unhealthy pressure on winning this game simply because I knew I wouldn't have the energy to defend the team to a bunch of assholes who would bring it up constantly.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:53 PM ^
For the first time I was strangely calm during the game. Sort of just present and taking it all in. Amazing atmosphere and just cool to be there and be part of it. Would have been sad if we had lost but more so because of the players. These are college kids after all and it's fun as hell to watch them. Truly impressed by the maturity they've shown this year that's above and beyond what I've seen from grown men/women. Seeing their parents out their too and Zinter going down like he did. Pay these players and treat them like adults. They've earned it. Couldn't agree more with Harbaugh. Proud to have him as our coach.
November 27th, 2023 at 3:08 PM ^
Now you don't have to defend anyone. Go Blue.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:42 PM ^
Michigan is America’s team.
And Coach is an American treasure.
November 27th, 2023 at 2:49 PM ^
The guy across the street from me basically lives or dies with the Buckeyes. I've TRIED to have rational conversations with him in the past, and he just goes off into loonytown most of the time. And he's 60+ years old. I haven't spoken to him (or seen him) since Saturday, but I'm sure he's moping around.
After last year's Michigan win, I was talking to him and he was basically raging -- and I said something like, "try losing this game eight years in a row and then see how you're doing," and I said it with ALL of my humor and good-nature turned all the way up to 10, and it still didn't help.
Yes, it's THE game, but it's also -- a game. Good to keep a healthy perspective. My neighbor just doesn't have it.