First of all, since I don't post much and I have a feeling that this might end up being a long post, I apologize in advance for breaking any board rules. Mods feel free to merge into another thread if you think it is appropriate. But while watching yesterdays victory something happened to me that has never happened before in 45 years of watching Buckeye football and I feel the need to share.
Unfortunately, the long part has to come first. On Saturday morning my wife and I decided that we would watch the "The Game" at home, alone, instead of any local establishment with other fans. This was because on Friday night, she (a fan but not a fanatic) had spent the majority of the night suffering the effects of a flu-like illness (possible caused by some bad chicken salad from Friday's lunch). At 10:30 AM, she decided that she was still sick and went to lie down, hopefully to take a nap. This left me to enjoy GameDay and the streaming of the 1460 pregame by myself. The start of "The Game" came and I was encouraged by the good play of both the offense and the defense through the first half. Just before the start of the second half, my wife emerged from her nap. I explained to her that even through the score was 12-7, the Bucks were playing well and could have well been up more then the score indicated. We both settled in to watch the second half.
I know I don't have to detail here the pain and growing despair that was the third and beginning of the fourth quarter. However what I do have to tell you for this to make sense is that with every muffed punt or pass interference call, my wife would comment along the lines of "great, now that I am watching they are playing lousy" or "I must be jinxing them". Now it must be said that I am not a superstitious man and aside from always trying to wear my 2002 National Champs Polo Shirt on game days (they just always seem to play better when I wear it) I don't believe in that type of stuff. In any event, my wife, unable to bear both illness and a loss to Michigan finally decides she is going into her office to pick up some emails. She closes the door to her office so we don't disturb each other. Her office door is right next to the TV. As best I remember there is about 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The strange part is coming.
I also know I don't have to detail the growing hope and joy that was the next 9 minutes of football. It culminated with the pass to Gonzo that took the ball down to the 4 yard line. I jumped up and ran at the TV yelling "YYYEEEESSSSS". And then out of the corner of my eye I saw the door to my wife's office opening. Now a normal husband might have been concerned that his sick wife may need to take a trip to the bathroom like the many she needed the night before. Or that she may just be curious at what all the noise is about. But I, in my "Gonzo's Catch" induced adrenaline rush, have the following three "visions" (And no I did not eat the chicken salad) The first is one of Troy and AP fumbling the hand off on the next play. The second is Michigan blocking Huston's FG attempt. And the third is Huston actually missing the FG. In short, in the nanoseconds between me hearing the doorknob turn and when the door is only a few inches open I see every possible bad ending to this game. I realize I need to to take action and I need to take action NOW.
I scream at the top of my lungs " GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE"
My wife closes the door and the rest is history.
After the game I explain myself and my wife quickly forgives me my outburst. After all she was the one talking about jinx's. She was more then happy to "take one for the team".
I really do know that the fate and happiness of the Buckeye Nation is not dependant on the relative position of one person that is 1000 miles away from the game. And the honor and glory for yesterdays victory belongs to every team member and coach that was on the sidelines yesterday. They worked hard for it and THEY DESERVE IT. And as I said, I am not a superstitious man and those are problems that I just don't consider.
The only problem I am considering now is where I'm going to get some tainted chicken salad for the bowl game.
Unfortunately, the long part has to come first. On Saturday morning my wife and I decided that we would watch the "The Game" at home, alone, instead of any local establishment with other fans. This was because on Friday night, she (a fan but not a fanatic) had spent the majority of the night suffering the effects of a flu-like illness (possible caused by some bad chicken salad from Friday's lunch). At 10:30 AM, she decided that she was still sick and went to lie down, hopefully to take a nap. This left me to enjoy GameDay and the streaming of the 1460 pregame by myself. The start of "The Game" came and I was encouraged by the good play of both the offense and the defense through the first half. Just before the start of the second half, my wife emerged from her nap. I explained to her that even through the score was 12-7, the Bucks were playing well and could have well been up more then the score indicated. We both settled in to watch the second half.
I know I don't have to detail here the pain and growing despair that was the third and beginning of the fourth quarter. However what I do have to tell you for this to make sense is that with every muffed punt or pass interference call, my wife would comment along the lines of "great, now that I am watching they are playing lousy" or "I must be jinxing them". Now it must be said that I am not a superstitious man and aside from always trying to wear my 2002 National Champs Polo Shirt on game days (they just always seem to play better when I wear it) I don't believe in that type of stuff. In any event, my wife, unable to bear both illness and a loss to Michigan finally decides she is going into her office to pick up some emails. She closes the door to her office so we don't disturb each other. Her office door is right next to the TV. As best I remember there is about 9 minutes left in the fourth quarter. The strange part is coming.
I also know I don't have to detail the growing hope and joy that was the next 9 minutes of football. It culminated with the pass to Gonzo that took the ball down to the 4 yard line. I jumped up and ran at the TV yelling "YYYEEEESSSSS". And then out of the corner of my eye I saw the door to my wife's office opening. Now a normal husband might have been concerned that his sick wife may need to take a trip to the bathroom like the many she needed the night before. Or that she may just be curious at what all the noise is about. But I, in my "Gonzo's Catch" induced adrenaline rush, have the following three "visions" (And no I did not eat the chicken salad) The first is one of Troy and AP fumbling the hand off on the next play. The second is Michigan blocking Huston's FG attempt. And the third is Huston actually missing the FG. In short, in the nanoseconds between me hearing the doorknob turn and when the door is only a few inches open I see every possible bad ending to this game. I realize I need to to take action and I need to take action NOW.
I scream at the top of my lungs " GET THE HELL OUTTA HERE"
My wife closes the door and the rest is history.
After the game I explain myself and my wife quickly forgives me my outburst. After all she was the one talking about jinx's. She was more then happy to "take one for the team".
I really do know that the fate and happiness of the Buckeye Nation is not dependant on the relative position of one person that is 1000 miles away from the game. And the honor and glory for yesterdays victory belongs to every team member and coach that was on the sidelines yesterday. They worked hard for it and THEY DESERVE IT. And as I said, I am not a superstitious man and those are problems that I just don't consider.
The only problem I am considering now is where I'm going to get some tainted chicken salad for the bowl game.
Great story!
.
