As a life-long fan of Carolina football without peer, I am put off by one aspect of this year’s team. It is a practice that has unfortunately been increasing in recent years. It is something the coach could immediately remedy if he chose to do so. And it is not the team’s dismal won-lost record of this year and previous years.
Though I was born and bred practically within the shadow of Kenan Stadium, I am certainly unhappy when the Tar Heels lose to the extent they have lately, but that’s not what offends me.What is so unseemly about this team – and it has simply inherited the practice – is the hubris that many of the players flaunt on the field.
Apparently not content with our conduct as spectators, they command us to arise and cheer their forthcoming heroism during the waning seconds before each play. Pumping with both arms they urge us to stand up and shout our appreciation of the presumed glory they will deserve and demonstrate when the ball is snapped.
My reaction is negative. Even if I reluctantly get up and yell, I don’t want the players telling me to do so. I want them to concentrate 1,000 percent on the forthcoming play.–Let the cheerleaders help me to help them. That’s their chosen and proper role.
I’ll cheer the players in response to the cheerleaders and the TV board. But I don’t need or want the football players also asking me to do so. That’s not their job.
And so far the record shows clearly that they aren’t helping themselves.
