Op-ed views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of BizPac Review.
There’s no doubt that football has long supplanted baseball as America’s favorite game, but here in SEC country, it’s the only game. After a seemingly forever offseason following recruiting, coaching hires and practices, analyzing future matchups, and dreaming of glory for your State, er, team, the real deal is FINALLY here.
That’s right, I’m talking about COLLEGE football, of course. Oh, the NFL will always have plenty of fans, but lately what with all the protesting, sitting and knee-taking and politically-correct posturing – and the NFL’s refusal to do anything about it – those fans are becoming fewer by the minute.
Since when did it become a source of shame to be an American? Since when did it become the ‘in’ thing to mock the service and sacrifice of those who fought and died for our country?
On the other hand, there’s college football, and at least for those of us who were fortunate enough to attend the EPIC, record-breaking, 156,990 strong Battle at Bristol last Saturday night, this sport and its organizers, participants and fans remain as patriotic as ever.
Radio financial guru Dave Ramsey did the opening invocation and, controversial as it is these days, he didn’t forget to pray “in Jesus name.”
Wow. Doing prayer at Bristol. Jennifer Nettles owns the anthem. Met Sam Ponder. Nice ladies. pic.twitter.com/cEqchtgLal
— Dave Ramsey (@DaveRamsey) September 11, 2016
Then came a riveting, spine-tingling performance of the national anthem by country star Jennifer Nettles.
During which fans participated in an incredible card ‘stunt’ to stunning effect:
We will #NeverForget. #USA 📸: @aweberphoto pic.twitter.com/ZiUYe36MDO
— Battle At Bristol (@BattleAtBristol) September 11, 2016
During the anthem, what looked like C5 military plane did a booming flyover:
Nobody was sitting.
150,000 people standing and singing the nation anthem. Not one idiot sitting or kneeling. #BattleatBristol #America https://t.co/JSNJR3z8qW
— Greg Gerald (@greggerald) September 11, 2016
This writer was there, and I didn’t see anyone sitting or kneeling either.
There were even a few Trump signs!
Make the Heisman Great Again.#GameDaySigns #BattleAtBristol pic.twitter.com/VYyq0JHs5R
— OutKick Bets (@OutKickBets) September 10, 2016
At halftime, Lee Greenwood sang God Bless the USA with a little help from the Pride of the Southland Band (do yourself a favor and watch the whole thing – it’s awesome)!
Here in the South, we do things just a little bit different. Our pace is slower, our tea is sweeter, and our sporting events, well, they’re a little different too. Oh, and we don’t forget to say grace because, after all, we know where our bread is buttered!
And by the way, if you get to do something like this at some point in your life, be sure to get there early to avoid the what were to be massive lines at security checkpoints to get inside the stadium. We got there about three hours early and it was pretty surreal watching the place fill up.
And yes, thankfully, the VOLS won!!
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