I can remember going to Utah football games for almost as long as I can remember. Mom and Dad sent the three kids to the South end zone on the bleachers. They sat in seats on the West side line. Carl and Jenn were always way more into it than I was. When Carl was pretty young, he wouldn't wear his blue coat during a very snowy BYU game. I wonder if the people around us ever questioned my parents? (Oh, they were probably to drunk and not really family people, being UTAH fans and all - heathens!!!)
In 6th grade, I became friends with Melinda, who also went to most of the games. For the next few years we would meet up and our main concerns were cute boys, tight ends (hee hee) and affixing pom poms to our heads. My main focus in life then became the Jazz and I remember very little football, other than hoping that my outcast family wouldn't be ridiculed at Thanksgiving due to a UTAH loss.
Then came what has become known as my great rebellion. I went to BYU. Unthinkable!!! My loving parents paid my tuition(with UofU checks) in hopes that I would one day return to the fold (they did ask who my family would be and where was I going to spend Christmas, though). They even let me buy a BYU sweatshirt when my sister was playing UTE tennis against BYU in Provo. I went to games, learned "Rise and Shout" and visited my Cougar fan grandparents during half-time. (who had been known to sneak in something a little extra in their thermos to keep them warm, if you know what I mean ....GASP!) I love them sooooo much!!! I ended up working for Blue and White Sports Network and spent many fall Saturdays on the sidelines or in the truck. I edited footage, ran cable, held mics, and wrote for a weekly sports recap show. I thought I was true blue.
But, true colors won out. I have returned to the fold. We changed to DirecTV so we can watch the Utes. I look forward to game watching parties at my sister's house. I check the latest polls on-line Sunday morning. And I am thinking about sending my kids to school in red everyday this week. I am not guaranteeing a victory because I know anything can happen, but I won't be wearing a blue coat even if it is snowing.
p.s. anyone want to babysit next Sat. evening for about five hours?:)
