Fans and Chains...

For those of you who were at Jimmie Snider Field last Friday night you were treated to a very physical football game where the home team earned victory. We got to see a game that wasn’t always pretty but one that both teams felt when they woke up Saturday morning.

I’ve been to a lot of games as a fan, coach and player and this year as a member of the chain gang and I can tell you that you see and hear things differently in each venue. Friday night was interesting. None of the Bulldog fans were over the top or said anything off color but a couple of them said some things that makes one wonder exactly how inspiring fans really think they are.

Having read some predictions on bsports.org, the Dayton fans must have felt this game was going to be a cakewalk. I believe 95 percent of the fans who picked between the Broncos and Bulldogs chose Dayton and most of them thought a lot of points would be scored. To be fair, I doubt that many of those predictors had seen either team play. I know that LRS has flown under the proverbial radars this season so most people have no idea how talented this team is.

When Dayton had trouble moving the ball and then found themselves down by a touchdown the fans tried to motivate their team. They started saying things like, “Come on, these guys aren’t that good!” “What’s wrong, you can play better than that!”

I know that a lot of players can’t or don’t hear what fans say from the sidelines because in the heat of the moment and the adrenaline rush those voices are pretty much nonexistent. But every so often you do hear those voices and at times it can be disturbing. For instance when a team is getting beat and the fans start telling you that the team you’re playing isn’t that great it can make the player think, “Wow, if these guys aren’t that great then how good are we?”

I know that when I heard something negative about how our team was playing it made me a little angry since I knew these people didn’t know what they were talking about. Players work hard and give it everything they’ve got win or lose. But many of the fans, who try to motivate by using negative reinforcement may not have even played the game but they are real fans of the game, just ask them.

As I walked off the field the victorious Broncos were heading toward the east end zone and they were excited and yelling their joy and excitement. Three Bulldog fans were making comments about the goings on and snickering about it. I merely said to them, “These kids knew this was going to be a tough game and they practiced hard all week.” I wanted these fans to know that precious victory at this time of the year does not come easy and should be appreciated by all football fans no matter where they are from.

Last Friday, five guys retired from the chain gang for various reasons. Randy Moore, Deni Atkinson, Ron Kison, Garry Reilly and Bruce Benzel did their last game as a crew. I’m sure that if needed they would substitute in a pinch.

Bruce finished his 40th season as a member of the chain gang and he has seen a lot of great games and big hits from players who were all league, several that played in college and a couple who would play in the NFL. I’m sure he could have hosted an ESPN highlight show of big hits, runs and touchdown passes and it would be fun to see and relive.

This is my first season as a member of the chain gang and it was a lot of fun. I went from the worst seat in the house to the best place to see a game and most of it is real close to the action.

This is a real good gig and I’m happy that Bruce asked me to fill in this year. I can enjoy the game and I don’t have to say much which is probably for the best.