Comments on: They are who we thought they were

By: Eric G.

Eric G. — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 19:25:40 +0000

I can relate to the idea of rooting for a team to lose every game.

During my sophomore year of high school, our football team lost the last 7 games of the season. The next season, the team lost every game (0-9). The following season, they lost the first 2 games, and they were poised to set some kind of record for losses, assuming they lost the next game. But somehow they won the game that would have set the record. I was disappointed.

And then in college, our own Fighting Illini went 2-9 in 1996 and 0-11 in 1997. Again, I found myself rooting against them near the end of the ‘97 season.

Somehow, it’s easier to swallow a horrible season if it’s really, really bad vs. just mediocre. The frustration isn’t there in the same way. There’s no “they should have won”, because they’re terrible.

It’s not exactly the same sentiment that you’re describing, but it reminded me of these feelings nevertheless.

By: Jammer

Jammer — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 22:34:10 +0000

Oh, yes, how well I remember that ‘97 season when Illinois went 0-11. Almost included it in the post above. And you’re right: I too was rooting for losses by the end. 0-11: a perfect season!

And, now, after a 2-10 season last year, the Illini (9-3) are going to the Rose Bowl. Talk about a turnaround. At least I’ll have someone to root for in January.

By: smeos

smeos — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 21:58:11 +0000

I was really, really pulling for the Steelers on Sunday. As a Seahawks fan, that pained me, but it was worth it to see a team that actually had a chance to beat the Pats. We all know how that turned out. At this point, my only hope is that some 3rd string loser with no future in the NFL decides to make a name for himself by blatantly and illegally taking out Tom Brady’s knees with extreme prejudice in the next three games. I don’t get it, they’ll do it to Carson Palmer, who seems like a nice enough sort. Kurt Warner looks like he needs to be taken out behind the woodshed and shot at the end of every game, but no one will do it to that asshat Brady? Come on guys, don’t bring me down.

Oh, and screw the Dolphins. I hope they go 0-16 next year, too.

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 04:34:56 +0000

You want pain and misery? Try being a Nebraska Cornhusker fan, especially this year. You want to talk about brutal! But we fired that lame brain Coach Callahan and brought in Bo Pelini. So, starting next fall, like Little Richard says in the Geico commercials, “Whoo! Look out! Look out!”