Civil War week is upon us, and the Beavers and Ducks need our support more than ever this week.
With both teams losing in uncharacteristic fashion, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 was an ugly day of football for Oregon and Oregon State fans.
Oregon and Oregon State football teams hadn't lost on the same day since Sept. 3, 2011.
Neither team played great. All these things are obvious. So obvious that John Canzano, of The Oregonian, still felt like he needed to write a column expressing his opinion of how the day went.
With both teams losing in uncharacteristic fashion, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2013 was an ugly day of football for Oregon and Oregon State fans.
Oregon and Oregon State football teams hadn't lost on the same day since Sept. 3, 2011.
Neither team played great. All these things are obvious. So obvious that John Canzano, of The Oregonian, still felt like he needed to write a column expressing his opinion of how the day went.
The headline?
"Call Off the Civil War: Oregon and Oregon State May Not Show Themselves"
"Call Off the Civil War: Oregon and Oregon State May Not Show Themselves"
Is that really how you feel, Canzano?
Notorious for stirring up controversy all over the state of Oregon, Canzano generally does a pretty good job. He's written several great columns and articles. Canzano gets people thinking, and times and also riled up. However, in my opinion, this time he's crossed the line.
Like I said, is that how you really feel, Canzano?
You state in your article, "...sell your Civil War tickets. Give them away. Burn them and instead spend your Black Friday standing in line at 5 a.m. in the Target parking lot..."
I get what you're trying to say. You have seen that both teams are capable of better playing and you expected more from both on Nov. 23 — we all did, but to tell Oregonian readers that they should "burn" their tickets and not even bother to go? What kind of message is that sending to the young men on these two football teams?
Regardless of whether or not the players read your column or pay attention to any media, they can guess how people feel, and I'm sure they feel much worse than any fan.
What I'm trying to say here is that at the end of the day, these are student-athletes. Oregon and Oregon State football players are not professional football players, they are not untouchable, and they are not robots. They are young men, trying to get an education, perfect their craft, and find their way. They're not attached to big contracts and endorsement deals. They're kids, and they still need guidance and encouragement.
When it comes to games, college athletes need their fans as much as Lady Gaga needs her "monsters." A team is nothing without them. There are men and women at every university in the country who might not be in college if it weren't for athletics. For this reason, college athletics are very important, and they deserve our support. To discourage fans from supporting two teams, two universities and two athletic programs is just poor sportsmanship.
When it comes to games, college athletes need their fans as much as Lady Gaga needs her "monsters." A team is nothing without them. There are men and women at every university in the country who might not be in college if it weren't for athletics. For this reason, college athletics are very important, and they deserve our support. To discourage fans from supporting two teams, two universities and two athletic programs is just poor sportsmanship.
The young men that play for Oregon and Oregon State, and every other student-athlete in the country for that matter, work insanely hard every single day for four or five years. Not only are they attending a full schedule of classes Monday through Friday, but they spend countless hours in the weight room, practicing, and performing for tons of people every season. Like I've already said, they aren't professionals, they aren't going to be perfect every week, but it doesn't mean they're not still trying every, single, day.
That being said, the 117th Civil War is just as important as ever. It's always competitive, it's always cutthroat, it's a rivalry every time. To all Oregon and Oregon State football supporters, fans, friends, family, whatever you may be — support these young men, these programs, these universities on Friday, Nov. 29 at 4:00 p.m.
That being said, the 117th Civil War is just as important as ever. It's always competitive, it's always cutthroat, it's a rivalry every time. To all Oregon and Oregon State football supporters, fans, friends, family, whatever you may be — support these young men, these programs, these universities on Friday, Nov. 29 at 4:00 p.m.
