The Square Life

My all-time favorite movie is Rudy. It’s definitely not the best movie I’ve ever seen, or even the movie I most enjoy watching, but it is my movie. It almost defines me.  

For sentimental reasons, no other movie will ever pass Rudy as my favorite movie. It has inspired me since I was a young teenager. As an undersized sports addict, I can perfectly relate to the main character. Even though Rudy never gave up on his sports dreams, and I threw in the towel very early, Rudy represents all that I can do. Therefore, Rudy is the standard of what I believe I can be . . . and should be.

 

Why am I telling you this? Well, for one thing, this is my final post with Square Magazine. I will shortly become a father, and shortly after that, I am departing for Texas to begin a new adventure. Before I leave, I felt that you should know my standard. Think about it. Now you know why I write like I’m five feet nothing and a hundred and nothing. Now you understand why I am saturated with passion, but void of any skill.

 

The other reason I am telling you about Rudy is that you need to understand why I am going to convince any BYU fans out there to not cheer for Utah.

 

Rudy was too small and too slow (physically and maybe even mentally) to play football for Notre Dame. But did that stop him from living like a slave for four years just so he could run on the field at the end of an already decided game? Not at all.

 

You’re still wondering what I am talking about, right? Well consider this. Why didn’t Rudy just go to some other school to play football? Why did he insist on going through hell to try and play at the most storied school (Notre Dame) in history when he probably could have played real minutes at some smaller school? Shoot, he could’ve come to Utah State and been a starting linebacker. But no, he refused to settle for anything less than the best. He knew who his team was, and he refused to budge.

 

As a BYU fan, I (like everyone else) am faced with a daunting decision this week. As Utah prepares to face Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, I am forced to do one of two things: 1) Cheer for Utah, and see our conference’s stock raise with a victory; or 2) Cheer for Alabama and enjoy seeing the Utes lose in front of a national audience, even though our conference may take a hit.

 

Everyone I’ve talked to recently is firmly entrenched in the first choice. They’re convinced that more good comes to BYU if Utah wins. I couldn’t agree less.

 

(I’m about to connect some dots; don’t leave yet)

 

I often times ask myself, “What would Rudy do in this situation?” Considering he gave up everything, even the chance to actually play football, to play for his school, I feel very safe concluding he would not cheer for Utah. Cheering for Utah is settling for less in hopes of getting something better in return. Cheering for Utah is like going to Utah State to play instead of Notre Dame. Rudy wouldn’t do it, and neither should I.

 

I hate Utah football. Why deny that? Sure there in the same conference, but why should that really matter? You’re saying if next year BYU goes out and beats Oklahoma, Florida State, and Arizona State they’ll give a care less whether Utah performed well in the Sugar Bowl? It won’t mean a thing.

 

The supposed good reasons to cheer for Utah in the 2004 Fiesta Bowl were that it would be good for the conference and help BYU in the long run. All I got out of it was a more vocal Ute fan base. Not much else has really changed. Why should I be happy that Ute fans are louder and more obnoxious? Please, explain this to me.

 

I have a friend I used to work with who happens to be a hardcore Utah fan. I really respect her, and loved working with her despite this glaring weakness. She travels with the team around the nation and everything. Anyway, she frequently would say that she didn’t understand people who cheer for BYU—no matter the circumstances. I remember thinking that she was silly ignoring how BYU doing well helps them. As time has passed, I am beginning to think she is on to something. True rivals should never have to cheer for each other. It’s weird. It’s wrong.

 

What did BYU’s 1984 title do for Utah fans (other than get them to be really defensive)? Nothing, right? What did Utah’s 2004 season really do for BYU (other than lessen their stranglehold on the “Best Football Tradition in the State of Utah” claims)? Nothing. This gradual inching towards conference respectability game is nonsense. We think we’re gradually becoming friends with the bigger boys, but we're giving up all dignity in the mean time. Have we learned nothing from high school movies?

 

With Barack Obama as president, and with a growing tide of change (tongue in cheek), it is a matter of time that a playoff will become a reality for college football. I have very little doubt. Even if I’m wrong, the Mountain West is still many years away from gaining the necessary respect to have a chance to be considered in league with the BCS boys. Why wait, when I can enjoy Utah losses now?

 

If Rudy were here, I know what he would do. He would stand by his true convictions, and cheer against the team that loathes his team. He would cheer for a cause that equals more quiet rivals. He would refuse to settle for anything less. He would not cheer for Utah for the same reason he did not go to some small school like Utah State. And I’m going to do what Rudy would do.

 

And that’s why I am learning the Alabama fight song. If you want to do the same, visit http://fightmusic.com/mp3/sec/Alabama__Yea_Alabama.mp3. Happy Holidays!

 

Rudy, Rudy, Rudy . . .