Let me first start off by saying this: I am not perfect..not even in a remotely, half-assed, kinda-coming-close way. I am to perfect what TMZ is to respectable world news. It is what it is.

However, lately I’ve seen a lot of talk on message boards that bothers me. I’m not preaching; just voicing my completely biased opinion.

You see, it’s OK to be a homer. It’s completely in your right and my right to love the Dawgs as much as possible and to believe that no matter what, we can win every game. It’s OK to think that every Dawg is an All-American and is the greatest of all time. You’re completely wrong, but it’s OK to think it.

What really ticks me though, is when grown men attack kids. Things have really been set off over the continuing A.J. Harmon saga, but it happens all the time in and out of football season, but it really gets heightened when either 1) we’re losing or 2) we’re not getting the recruits we want.

I will never condone booing players. I think it’s as classless as a Tubberville-ordered Code Red, and there’s no room for it in our program. It would do us all a lot of good to take a look at Mark Richt and not only celebrate his success on and off the field, but emulate his passion and understanding in regards to how we speak about our team. It’s not our position to boo our players when we feel they are underperforming, and it’s certainly not our right to speak negatively about a kid who is waffling in the midst of making one of the biggest decisions of his entire life at the ripe old age of 17.

In early February, I’ll be 27 years old. You know how long it takes me to decide things? I absolutely gruel over decisions that require any thought whatsoever. If it’s not clear-cut, I’m taking my time and deciding when I want and when I feel comfortable. Heck, I even agonized over whether or not to really go to Georgia and it was my DREAM. I always wanted to go to school there, but it was still tough for me as a small-town kid to go to a school that literally had a student population that was four times the size of my entire town. Sometimes even the most desired decisions are the not the easiest ones to make. Ask any lottery winner.

All I’m saying is part of being a die-hard fan is respecting the people that allow you to be what you are. There’s not a bone in me that thinks Mark Richt would take $1 million more a year over having 30 hours in a day during the season so he could spend more time with his family. That bone is right next to another one that says Kregg Lumpkin would’ve gave his left arm to have not been hurt for most of his final season. And THAT bone is next to another that understands when recruits enjoy the attention given to them by men who are well-respected and well-known throughout the entire country.

You mean to tell me that if Joe Paterno calls you tomorrow, regardless of who you were committed to, that you wouldn’t listen? Heck, if I was the best ever at my position and committed to UGA, I’d still talk to Joe Pa. I’d stick to my commitment (key phrase), but I’d still listen. He’s f*cking Joe Pa, man.

I read the Rivals.com and the Scout.com message boards (though I never post) and there are a few cats on there that need to shut their mouths but they are outweighed by the many, many more great fans that love their team and respectfully show it. Thankfully, those that need to shut up have been dealt with by the Rivals staff and have been blacklisted from the site. To the Rivals folks, I applaud you. Well done. I know The Good Senator is a Rivals member and I think PWD posts on Scout, so I’d be interested to see their takes on this, but for me, I’m glad to see bad Dawg fans get what they deserve.

And I’m sorry if I’m rambling, but all I’m saying is that when you run your mouth or show your ass, it hurts our team more than you can imagine. Many recruits (especially this year) have openly admitted to reading the message boards and listening to the talk that goes on both during the season as well as during the off-season. Also, those within the Athletic Association read what is being written over all message boards and blogs as well. Just remember that the next time you feel the need to vent your frustrations.

So the next time you want to run your trap about a current player or recruit, remember that you’re helping them decide not to play for us. Loose lips sink ships and all that.

Just some food for thought. Sorry for the rant.



Until next time kids.

Be safe.

Labels: Stupid People, UGA Football