UMGriz75 said:
Certainly a different take than the "coaches owe nothing to the fans, so shut up," approach.
Just remember, Griz players and coaches, none of that magical feeling you get on Saturdays at Wa-Griz would be possible without your unbelievably loyal fans. They've been mighty forgiving the past four seasons and that's to be commended.
Now, in the words of Tom Hanks' character in the movie "Saving Private Ryan," it's time to do something special to "earn this."
I like Spelz. He has a nice touch. He has admitted that he doesn't know much about football. He said this was the first Griz game he had seen in 2 years. I didn't like his article--perhaps the worst I've ever seen from him. Shows he never played game of football (as opposed to tennis; he's a terrific tennis player).
I don't agree that the fans have been "mighty forgiving the past 4 seasons". I don't see attendance and support as being "forgiving". It's what fans, both good fans and bad fans, do, or ought to do. I agree that there a lots of strong and loyal Griz fans. The bad fans have not been "forgiving". In fact, many of them have been very unforgiving and critical. That doesn't mean that they quit attending games, following the Griz, and being rabid fans.
But "forgiving" is just not the right word. Fans ought to be supportive and loyal to their teams, during the good and the no-so-good times, in my view. "Forgiving" implies that the players owe something to the fans. They don't, in my view. On other hand, of course, fans and Griz fans deserve to be commended for coming to games, following the team closely, supporting the team, making the game day atmosphere very special, and remaining strong fans when the team isn't winning the conference every year and going to the national championship game almost every other year. That's great. I am sure the players are very very appreciative of all that.
Some of these players are new to the program. Why should they be even remotely responsible for what went on 4, 3, 2 and even 1 year ago? They didn't Engstrom to fire Pflu/O'Day. They didn't create the sexual assault buzz. They didn't create the ncaa cloud/sanctions. They didn't cause the loss of scholarships. Maybe more fans should be thanking people like Delaney and other coaches, including Stitt, for holding things together and trying to get the Griz back on top. And, players for continuing to work their butts off and come to UM to keep the program going, and try to get it back on top.
