By Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr.
Come with me on a trip down Imaginary Lane. How difficult it would have been for the leader of the Hatfields to write an objective piece about the McCoys? How difficult it would have been for the leader of the Capulets to write an objective piece about the Montagues? How difficult it would have been for Jay-Z to write an objective piece about Nas at the height of their beef? Take all of those, multiply them by ten and you will know how tough it is for me to write an objective piece about the Michigan State-Michigan football rivalry.
This is a tall task because, since elementary school, I have been involved in debates, banter, and all types of hostile conversations with fans of the other side. A lot of people who are friends or associates of mine are fans of the other side. Some of these people do not even know each other, but because they saw each other commenting on a post about my team on my facebook page, they became facebook fans. This group is strong, boisterous and loud. As this is being written, they are making comments on my page talking trash. That makes it hard to be objective.
This is a tall task because I have a hard time saying anything nice about the other side. This is not because there is not anything nice to say. The other side has a great history and tradition. However, their fans do not give you an opportunity to give them credit. Instead, they throw that history and tradition in your face at every turn. Forget what is happening in the game that you are watching or throughout the season. The other side is going to remind you what happened ninety-five years ago. That makes it hard to be objective.
This is a tall task because, even though the rivalry is at its highest point ever, the other side will not acknowledge that. When both teams are good, sports in the State of Michigan is better for it. Sports talk radio is more entertaining. The debates between the fanbases are more heated. The houses that are divided with fans of both sides are louder during games. It is makes for an intense fun time. However, when one side does not want to acknowledge the fact that the rivalry is strong, it is hard to be objective.
As we wind down Imaginary Lane, and turn onto Reality Road, we have learned that it is pretty much impossible to be objective in a rivalry. You can say one nice thing but you will finish it with two dissenting statements. You can act like you do not have a problem with your rival, but your tone or body language will say something else. These are just the facts of a rivalry, and what makes it fun.
So, as you sit down to watch the Michigan State-Michigan game with people who root for the other team, embrace the rivalry. Do not try to be objective. Wear your team and feelings about them on your sleeve. Cheer and talk trash to the other side. Do not try to say anything nice. Then, when the game is over, get on facebook, and remind the other side that your team won that game. Live it all the way up and then move on. The season is not over because you win the rivalry game. It is just a bonus on the way to whatever the result of the season will be for your team.
Enjoy the game, and by the way Go Green, Go White, Go State.
I’m Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message
Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. is a writer that enjoys watching, playing, and talking about sports. He coaches basketball at the Boys and Girls Club of Lansing. You can visit his blog at
mrwilson42.blogspot.com for thoughts on sports events. Follow him on twitter @JimmyLWilsonJr, and feel free to email any feedback to him at jimmyl.wilsonjr@gmail.com.
This was printed in the October 21, 2012 – November 3, 2012 Edition
