A Love Letter to College Football

Yes, the emotional high is still in full effect. Yes, I am letting the euphoria take over my entire existence and inner fandom boil over into pure unfiltered emotion. "It is hard to not be romantic about football." rings truer than ever right now.

Monday night encapsulated that perfectly. Diluting the essence of the draw of the sport that captured me two decades ago into one single game.

Michigan are national champions. The confetti has fallen, a banner has been raised, and the trophy hoisted by the Wolverines.

A sentence that truthfully deep down almost every fan (barring a very select few) questions if they will be able to claim for just a year. Now that it is done and here for me, it is sweeter than I could've imagined. The poetry of a championship team is woven through years. Years of highs, traditions, records broken and surrendered, heartbreak, and gut punches.

A fickle sport, that leads to hand-wringing about the details of every last moment on and off the field so often. Refreshing each year with hope renewed that things can and will be different. Without knowing if or when that may become true. Fickle as it may be, it is what drives us as fans to feel so deeply. The human connection and undeniable emotional ties to every moment of every game are what make college football amazing.

Enjoying the portion of each year and that limited precious time with each special player and coach that walks onto the field representing our every desire with abated breath. Watching our teams overcome insurmountable rivals, adversity, and the constant noise of outside doubt. All too often we find that the cycle can feel futile by the end of each year.

But for every missed opportunity, bad call, unfortunate bounce, or poor decision. It was washed away in an instant last night for me. None of it matters to me anymore, but all of it, and I truly do mean all of it is and was worth it. It makes the moment that much more meaningful. It defines the accomplishment and the very fabric of the joy in celebration.

One day, if you haven't already, I hope you'll feel that too as a fan. You'll look back at the countless players and coaches that you wished shared the same moment for so long. Confetti falling, banner being raised, and trophy being hoisted - recounting all those highs and lows. You'll know that deep down part of this is for those who never conquered the highest peak, especially the ones who were closest.

You'll know that caring about every detail of every play doesn't have to be life or death, but it matters and it is what keeps you coming back.

So as the year rolls on and another season looms, and most importantly hope is renewed. Enjoy every moment of it, even the bad. Etch the triumphs and defeats to memory. You'll watch a group ascend to new heights and be glad that you cared. College football is special, and should be treated as such.