Notre Dame Football: Get Your Mind Right
I walked out of a church tonight with my family, right after my son’s Christmas program and heard a familiar yell…
Don’t be foolish. You will never change the mind of an extremist.
“IRISH SUCK! GO BUCKS!”
I looked back and expected to see one of my friends giving me a hard time. Instead, I saw two guys I didn’t know, and I’m pretty sure they didn’t know each other either. One of them had a Notre Dame hoodie, so I guess he’s the instigator in this situation. Welcome to Northwest Ohio. The only thing lacking was some lost soul strolling by while wearing a Michigan Skunkbear hat.
The Fiesta Bowl matchup of Notre Dame vs Ohio State is a big one, or so I’m told. 90% of my friends are Ohio State fans, so this is for more than bragging rights- it’s for keeps.
Chances are, however, is that this type of incident isn’t isolated to this fine state. Ohio State is one of the largest undergrad schools in the country and they filter out throughout this nation.
It be easy to go the route of “trash-talking Tom.” Why wouldn’t you? Your fandom- your MANDOM just got challenged. Why wouldn’t you stand your ground and offer your own attacks?
November 24, 2012; Columbus, OH, USA; Drums used by the Ohio State Buckeyes marching band are seen before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Because it’s just plain stupid. I know some of you (well the type anyways) and some of you think that if you just argue your case loud enough, use a pile of stats, show video proof, PROVIDE A TIME MACHINE TO TAKE THEM BACK… You think you can win the argument and make them change your mind.
Don’t be foolish. You will never change the mind of an extremist. Hell, most of the time you’ll never change the mind of anyone outside of your spouse and their decision to buy that god awful piece of clothing. (And there is a price to pay when doing that).
Nov 14, 2015; South Bend, IN, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Sheldon Day (91) greets his mother Carol Boyd during the Senior Day recognition ceremony before the game against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
The game will be played, and honestly, the only ones that should be talking trash are the ones playing the game. At LEAST wait until gameday. Get that holiday feast or two or three in your gut and let the f bombs and sports math fly. Get your mind right. This game is a big one, and you need to be prepared.