i grew up in Barboursville and played midget league FB (too small, no vision to go any higher, just a happy go lucky kid). i got Ted Shoebridge's autograph at one of the MLFB banquets before the crash. thats when i became a true Herd fan, and its for life, no matter what. i lost that autograph but hold out hope i'll find it someday, stuffed in a book or something.
i've lived in TN for 20 yrs and for most of those yrs I hated orange and white like a creamsicle nightmare where i get killed everytime. my daughter graduated from TN and my son is a sophomore there now. it took me a long time, but i went to my first game last year, against LSU. the atmosphere was nothing i had every experienced and i had a big time. i'm ok with tennesse now, and they're probably my only true back up.
I like to be on the winning side as much as anybody, i'm an extremely competitive person in sports only.
There is only one place, one school, one people that i truly become emotional about, that gets me worked up. thanks for reminding me why today. it is my Thundering Herd, win or lose.