Only the naive would believe the game of college football is Simon pure. All the types that show in the pros appear at the college level — the dogfighters, the druggies, the abusers. The difference is people know in their bones that the college game is mostly manned by solid citizens who play — not for money — but play hard because it's how the game was meant to be played.
Americans still believe in "the old college try."
The professional game has its legends and legacies. But the college game has things the pros can never afford. There is a truer sense of "we" in college, not only on the teams but in the stands as well. The players come from the student body, and members of the student body form the team. It's one for all. Call it a sense of community. And anyone who has attended a professional football game and a college game feels the difference. In college, people actually know the words to the fight songs, and the cheerleaders show up to lead cheers, not attract leers.
The college game is about elation.
When the Clemson pep band strikes up "Hold That Tiger" or the Badger faithful break into "On, Wisconsin" or the Fighting Irish roll out "Cheer, Cheer for Old Notre Dame," the moment is electric.
College football is about tradition, but it is more about youthful verve, idealism, optimism and, yes, innocence. And given the tenor of the nation at the moment, America can use a good dose of those things about now. The world works hard to wear away the resolve of people. College football says, "Cheer and hope."
The college game can't make everything right, of course. Cynicism and disappointment run deep in the American grain at the moment. But college football can remind us of how we'd like to feel all the time. It can show us the sunny side hidden by the clouds.
So strike up the band. Go Utes! Go Cougs, Cats, Ags and T-Birds.
The state and nation can use a shot in the arm.
Remind America what it means to lay it all on the line for the old alma mater.
Enough hand-wringing for the moment.
It's time for the varsity to suit up and take the field.