Welcome to the Mission

I hated football for seventeen years. And by “hated,” I mean loathed. Despised. Belittled. Cursed its very existence. Refused to consider going to a college that fielded so much as an intramural team.

Merely two weeks into the 2001 season, I was putting the “fan” in “fanatic.” Since then, every Saturday in the fall has been planned out for me. I can watch games for fourteen hours straight and still feel a sadness when the last, West Coast play clock hits goose eggs. I can choose pick ‘ems with the best. I count down the days to big games like others count down the Advent calendar.

I have written a tome arguing winning is the least important component of being a major college football program and exploring the history and traditions of every FBS team. I follow the off field dramas with the avidness of a soap opera fan and have on occasion referred to particularly juicy plotlines as “Dickensian,” or even “Shakesperian.” In fact, when I win the time lottery, I’ll write an adaptation of “Coriolanus” starring the SEC coaching carousel.

There are some who consider people like me a loser. They denounce my passion as pathetic. They sneer I should channel that energy into something important, or at least more high brow. This space is where I present my defense.

The posts here at the Mission will mostly examine the cultural and historical importance of football, particularly in the South, through both personal and global lenses. Many will also focus on the religious overtones that invariably appear. I also take a keen interest in variations of fandom throughout the regions and conferences, which deserves to be explored. I won’t be able to refrain from commenting on the current season, either. And I’ll post any other college football related tidbits or arguments that strike my fancy.

If you love football, you’ll probably see a little bit of yourself reflected. If you love someone who loves football, you just might learn something. If you think football fans are insane freaks….well, you’ll most likely find some support for that theory here, too.