To provide some context, let me share my background. I grew up in East Texas, and my older brother went to UT for a year before failing out. He was four years older than me, and as such had a bit of a head start on shaping my perspective of things. You all know all of the things people say, there's no need to get into that...
However, I played baseball at Baylor University, and that experience gave me a different insight into all the Big XII fan bases. In my experience, there was no place more fun to play than TAMU. We were very good in those years, and I had friends on the TAMU baseball team, and while the 12 Man was obviously raucous and cheering for their team, the trash talk towards us was funny and fun with few exceptions.
Texas on the other hand, lost lifetime fans in my family based on how nasty they were to us, player parents, and fans. As a player, it didn't bother me, but they were easily the worst fan base I experienced. Not close and I'm not debating it with anyone.
I raised my kids with Baylor season tickets and they were huge Baylor fans. When the Briles scandal happened, and the way the school handled it, I cancelled my season tickets and all but lost interest in college athletics due to how people placed winning over the awful realities of what was happening on campus.
When my oldest daughter chose TAMU, and still to this day, I said that was the most rebellious thing she ever did. I say that because it was true, but that's because of how good of a kid she is. Over the years, my wife and I have really come to love TAMU, and we are looking forward to our next kid enrolling assuming he gets in.
So here's my perspective. TAMU culturally is infinitely better than UT. I don't need to go into all the reasons, and this is also not debatable to me. The 12th Man is the best fan base as it relates to supporting your team in the gameday environment- no question You all deserve better than you have gotten...
With all of that as context, you guys really need to stop giving people so much power over you. It's so easy to push your collective buttons and get reactions. When you respond that way, it gives people power over you, and while you're all upset, they're laughing. Then, the response to that often leads to behavior that really goes against who you are. I witnessed an Aggie student using the N word in front of a young black Ag while engaging with UT fans. He was obviously embarrassed and mortified by his slip up, but it didn't change the impact of that moment on his classmate. This was one of several exchanges that just made me a bit sad.
I really admire so much about all of you, and I am beginning to understand what it is that you all love so much. I also better understand some of the reaction to you all. I know asking people to be introspective is foolhardy, but I just wish you all had enough confidence in who you are to not respond to the provocation in ways that betray your values.
I fully expect to be flamed for this, but sharing anyway. I'll be rooting for you guys always (except when/if you play my Bears)
However, I played baseball at Baylor University, and that experience gave me a different insight into all the Big XII fan bases. In my experience, there was no place more fun to play than TAMU. We were very good in those years, and I had friends on the TAMU baseball team, and while the 12 Man was obviously raucous and cheering for their team, the trash talk towards us was funny and fun with few exceptions.
Texas on the other hand, lost lifetime fans in my family based on how nasty they were to us, player parents, and fans. As a player, it didn't bother me, but they were easily the worst fan base I experienced. Not close and I'm not debating it with anyone.
I raised my kids with Baylor season tickets and they were huge Baylor fans. When the Briles scandal happened, and the way the school handled it, I cancelled my season tickets and all but lost interest in college athletics due to how people placed winning over the awful realities of what was happening on campus.
When my oldest daughter chose TAMU, and still to this day, I said that was the most rebellious thing she ever did. I say that because it was true, but that's because of how good of a kid she is. Over the years, my wife and I have really come to love TAMU, and we are looking forward to our next kid enrolling assuming he gets in.
So here's my perspective. TAMU culturally is infinitely better than UT. I don't need to go into all the reasons, and this is also not debatable to me. The 12th Man is the best fan base as it relates to supporting your team in the gameday environment- no question You all deserve better than you have gotten...
With all of that as context, you guys really need to stop giving people so much power over you. It's so easy to push your collective buttons and get reactions. When you respond that way, it gives people power over you, and while you're all upset, they're laughing. Then, the response to that often leads to behavior that really goes against who you are. I witnessed an Aggie student using the N word in front of a young black Ag while engaging with UT fans. He was obviously embarrassed and mortified by his slip up, but it didn't change the impact of that moment on his classmate. This was one of several exchanges that just made me a bit sad.
I really admire so much about all of you, and I am beginning to understand what it is that you all love so much. I also better understand some of the reaction to you all. I know asking people to be introspective is foolhardy, but I just wish you all had enough confidence in who you are to not respond to the provocation in ways that betray your values.
I fully expect to be flamed for this, but sharing anyway. I'll be rooting for you guys always (except when/if you play my Bears)
