The Blind Side

The movie that is captivating the hearts of football fans everywhere, especially in the South, really is something extraordinary. Undoubtedly, the story of Michael Oher and his football career is moving in itself. Yet, Michael Oher and The Tuohy family's journey together is way bigger than football. It's more valuable than a national title game or a Monday Night Football game, and it's worth more than any Super Bowl ticket.

Unlike most sports movies that shed light on racial controversy and social classification, 'The Blind Side' doesn't take place in segregated 1960's America, it takes place in today's world. This remarkable story is about sport and society, racism and rarity, faith and family, and hope and hardwork. To put it simply, when the credits roll and pictures of the real Tuohy family and Michael Oher are shown, you feel one thing - inspired.

Athletic ability and being part of a sports program can lead to personal visits by all-time great coaches, a higher education, sometimes even professional league careers, but this movie reminds us that the most important of all things is self-discovery.

Whether we are white or black, rich or poor, an honor student or below average, we all must discover the person we are through our life experiences. The experience that is shared between the Tuohy family, a well-to-do white family, and Oher, a then young and homeless African-American student from a broken home, is about self-discovery and teaches many of the valuable lessons of life.

A lot can be learned from the exceptional life of Oher. Hard work on the practice field. Discipline in study. Persistence in life's turbulence. Appreciation for life's rewards. Protection for the ones we love. Admiration for the ones who love us back. Never give up, never quit, the sky's the limit. With God, all things are possible.

Because the plot is so special, the appearances of some of college football's best coaches, the Oscar-worthy acting of Sandra Bullock, and the Southern handsomeness of Tim McGraw, aren't the big deals in 'The Blind Side.' It's the inspiration and own self-discovery that you experience as you witness the coming together of Memphis' projects and high society and the story you'll want to tell your children or grandchildren one day.

After this moving story, though, you will hope that stories like the one of Michael Oher are far more common by then.


Roll Tide!
-BJJ

Live Mascots

Being as a real elephant is a very far stretch of the imagination for me and my student body, I still can't help but give a little gratitude to the schools that do carry this sort of tradition. No, maybe they don't have 12 National Title banners waving atop their stadium, but they do have a tradition of having loyalty that can only come from having one's own pet. Some are strange, some are mean, and some are nothing short of regal.

Even if it is nearly impossible to have an elephant stomping the sidelines at Bryant-Denny Stadium I must remind you of one thing.... we did once have a 'Bear'.

I've ranked my favorite animal mascots below:

1. Uga VII - The English Bulldog (University of Georgia): His predecessor once took the acclaimed "Oldest Rivalry in the South" to a new level when he bit an Auburn player. "Good boy!" God rest his soul. My appreciation for tradition, class, and Southern football at it's finest is why I rank Uga VII at the top of the list. (Uga VI was not only cool for biting an Auburn player, but was even cooler for being the all-time winningest mascot).

2. Bevo XIV - Texas Longhorn Steer (The University of Texas): His original name was "Sunrise Studly" and attended George W. Bush's second inauguration. Not only loyal to the students in Austin but also loyal to the former leader of the free world makes Bevo XIV a.k.a. Sunrise Studly a much admired mascot. "Hook 'em Horns!"

3. Mike VI - The Siberian-Bengal Tiger (Louisiana State University): An Indiana rescue facility donated Mike VI to LSU in 2007 after his predecessor died. Whether I go to a rival university or not, it is pretty damn cool that his first year on the job he was part of a BCS National Championship. Come to think of it, that might be a selling point on this whole real-life elephant idea in Tuscaloosa.

4. Mach 1 - Falcon (Air Force): The bird can fly up to a speed of 200 mph. If that's not appropriate for the Air Force then get back to me when cheetahs learn how to fly.

5. Rameses XVIII - Horned Dorset Sheep (The University of North Carolina): It's a Ram, they're the Tar Heels. It's like the whole elephant thing when we're the Crimson Tide. Listen, I don't love these two schools because of their mascots or the fact that they confuse most people - it is what it is. Rameses XVIII got the job in Chapel Hill after his father was killed by a vicious headbutt by his very own brother. They paint his horns Carolina blue, and on very special occassions, his testicles have been known to sport a spray-paint job of the same color.

6. Traveler VIII - Andalusian Horse (The University of Southern California): This regal, white horse got it's name 'Traveler' from General Robert E. Lee's famous horse in the Civil War. Despite the hatred for Southern Cal football you can find in the people in my neck of the woods, it is somewhat charming of the West Coasties to remember our beloved Confederate General and his Andalusian Horse.

7. Renegade - Appaloosa Horse (Florida State University): As a tribute to the famous Seminole Tribe of Florida, Renegade and his 'Chief Osceola' made their debut appearance against Oklahoma State in 1978. Although I have never witnessed a football game inside Doak Campbell Stadium I can only imagine the feeling that swoops over their student section as they hum and wave their fists in tomahawk spirit as a flaming spear is planted at midfield by a charging Renegade and Chief Osceola. Even cooler, the recent debates in the United States regarding Native American mascots being 'offensive' to the Native American culture are not applied to FSU - they have consent and total support from the Seminole Indian tribe.

8. Tusk II - Russian Boar (The University of Arkansas): Razorbacks love Tusk II just as much as they love to sing, "Woooo! Pig Sooie!" Tusk I, his predecessor, was shot and killed by an angry farmer when the boar escaped the animal exhibit and rampaged some very precious countryside. It's always been said, they're a little backwards up in Arkansas. (I kid, I kid!)

9. Ralphie IV and Ralphie V - Buffaloes (Colorado University): Both are female and split time on the sideline at the Buff's home football games. In Ralphie IV's first appearance she broke free from her harness and trampled one of her handlers. I am hoping no serious injury was caused because I find it a little humorous.

10. Smokey IX - Bluetick Coonhound (The University of Tennessee): This hound dog got the job in 2004 and is still part of the Volunteer's gameday tradition - even bringing Smokey to away games. In 1955, Smokey II was kidnapped by a group of students from the University of Kentucky. In 2006, Smokey IX was accused of biting Alabama receiver Mike McCoy after the player fell on the then 3-year old coonhound in pre-game warmups. Tennessee denied this being true. The dog is cool and all, but you know whose side I am on.

11. Tom II - Bengal Tiger (The University of Memphis): In remembrance - Tom II was recently put to sleep at the age of 17 after being diagnosed with cancer. His name, derived from the Tigers Of Memphis, is very beloved in the western Tennessee city.

12. Judge Joy and Sue - Black Bears (Baylor University): The first bear on campus was won by a local businessman in a poker game. I thought they played Texas Hold 'Em with money, especially in Texas. With the names 'Judge Joy' and 'Sue' I disregard the nature of the animal and assume that Paul W. Bryant was the more scary 'Bear' on a sideline.

13. War Eagle VII - Golden Eagle (Auburn University): The eagle was born in 1999 at the Montgomery Zoo and at six months of age was moved to Auburn to participate in pre-game festivities. No one really knows why the Auburn Tigers don't have a Tiger like LSU and Memphis, but no one really cares either. Although I have a deep dislike for all things Auburn, I must admit that the soaring eagle is a unique tradition for "those people".

14. Bill XXXIII - Goat (The United States Naval Academy): In 1893 the first 'Bill the Goat' appeared. The live goat is represented at football games by costumed midshipmen. Over the years 'Bill the Goat' has been kidnapped by many different schools. Some of which are: The Air Force Academy, The Army, and Maryland.

15. Raider, Ranger II, and General Scott - Mules (Army): The mules were adopted by Army to counter the infamous Navy goat. At football games the mules are ridden by Army Officers.

So, what do you think of this walking the sidelines of Bryant-Denny Stadium? I don't know, I think we'll just stick to the old, traditional ways that we're used to!

Roll Tide Roll!

-BJJ

Titles And Such

We won't know who will claim the Southeastern Conference's throne until night falls in Atlanta on December 5th. When the Georgia Dome is split into a Civil War between the nation's two top-ranked football teams and their fans and 60 minutes of football is played with the kind of tenacity only found in a game that holds so much at stake. When those tenacious 60 minutes are over, one team and it's fans will start planning for a trip to the Bayou to play in the Southeastern Conference's automatic bid to the Sugar Bowl, and the other team and it's fans will start planning for a trip to the City of Angels to play in the BCS National Championship game at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. This, of course, being said with the assumption that the faulty BCS points system not make some very large mistake.

Alabama will play with vengeance, seeking to take back the SEC crown they let slip through their fingers in the final quarter of last year's title game. Florida will play to defend the title that was not-so-easily won in last year's game against the title-hungry Crimson Tide. Mark Ingram will run the ball with hopes of chasing down the first Heisman Trophy in history to be won by an Alabama player. Tim Tebow will play in another conference title game with hopes that his 'lifetime achievement' can somehow sway Heisman voters to award him the trophy that he apparently thinks was 'robbed' from him by Oklahoma's Sam Bradford last year. The Crimson Tide faithful will pour into Atlanta thirsty for the conference title and a hunger for revenge, redemption, and a plane ride to Pasadena. The distinguished sort of pride that Alabama fans are known for will pour out into the "Rammer Jammer" chants and "Yea, Alabama" songs. Every person traveling down I-20 from Tuscaloosa to Atlanta will bring with them the pride of having the more SEC conference titles and more National titles than any other school in the conference, along with the friendly hatred for the Gator Nation. This 'Nation' will travel up I-75 from Gainesville to Atlanta with the general pompous attitude that is tied to their fanhood just as the infamous jean shorts are. I, given my bias, seem to think that their overconfidence results from envy of the Alabama program and fear that Nick Saban is building a dynasty that just might be the doom of Urban Meyer.

Knowing that no Florida fan would ever admit it, I can at least assume that there is an anxious chill on the spines that hide underneath orange and blue t-shirts. If Tennessee had them biting their nails earlier this season I can only imagine the fear that Saban puts in them. If a win over Arkansas in 'The Swamp' came down to a desperate field goal I can only imagine what they think of Terrence Cody. If Steve Spurrier's running backs could break through the Florida defense I can only smile at the damage Heisman front-runner Mark Ingram can do. The lack of a blowout score against the Bulldogs of Mississippi State must be humiliating after the high-scoring show that Greg McElroy, Julio Jones, and Mark Ingram put on in Starkville this past weekend. If there were any reason for Florida to NOT fear the momentum that seems to only accelerate with each Alabama victory while propelling the Crimson Tide closer and closer to the program's first conference title since 1999 I would admit it, yet I find unable to find one. The turbulent decade for Alabama's football program was filled with trying times in regard to NCAA violations and a whirlwind of coaching changes. Yet, as Coach Saban was found to be the key to getting things back together the Alabama family is also finding that history does in fact repeat itself. Alabama met Florida in the Georgia Dome last year just as they will this year. Alabama won it's last SEC title in the Georgia Dome in 1999 - against Florida. Fancy that.

As disappointing as the loss to Florida was last December, most Alabama fans were just as much grateful because we were finally headed to a BCS bowl game in our other favorite dome in New Orleans. However, this year the excitement that is felt while celebrating momentous victories in the student section is more in celebration of what is yet to come rather than the 60 minutes that was just played out in front of us. Whispering plans for Rose Bowl pageantry in Pasadena without 'jinxing' the possibility accompanies the thrill of watching our in-state rival lose on any given Saturday. The fight song seems to get a little bit louder at a certain part - "Remember the Rose Bowl, you'll win then!" Hotel rooms in Atlanta and Buckhead for December 4th through the 6th were being confirmed only hours after the SEC West was won. Personal rivalry with friends in Gainesville heat up. The feelings that come with being a top-tiered team is a little bit sweeter because it can be assumed that Charlie Wiess and Pete Carroll wish they were in Nick Saban's shoes. Not to mention the fortune and luck that is felt to be a fifth-year senior who gets an extra year of highly glorified football. In a nut shell, there's no denying the fact that, no matter how cliche to our mascot it seems, the Tide certainly has turned.

So, on December 5th in Atlanta, Georgia the two best teams in the nation will face-off in an epic battle to contend for the national title. Whether traveling East on I-20 or North on I-75, the place they intersect will determine what road is next. As far as the road to the National Championship is concerned, it is up to the old-timers and the new kids on the block to determine which one is destined for Pasadena.

The Rose Bowl, with all it's pageantry and glamour, is where Alabama can finally find undoubted redemption or where Florida can find a repeat of last year's crown. Just as the then-ranked No. 2 Gators said last year before they beat the then-ranked No. 1 Crimson Tide, "the rankings don't mean anything," I know who I would put my money on in Atlanta next month. The now-ranked No. 2 Crimson Tide.

If you're the under-dog you have nothing to lose, right? According to the 'Gator Nation' who seems to manipulate every scenario into their favor, right.

Roll Tide Roll!

-BJJ