Request to fans for Air Force game on 9/8/12
As someone whose family has a long, well-documented history in the US military, I am making a request for anyone who sees this. For the game on against the falcons on 9/8, do not boo the air force team or their fight song when they enter.
Keep in mind: these guys aren't playing football to be in the NFL someday. They're playing football because they love it, and are eventually going to serve our country.
I know this is kind of a random thing in the offseason but I was just thinking about this today because I was watching a replay of ND vs Air Force from this past season the other night. And those pricks were booing the air force team as they entered!
To me, that's really disrespectful. I'm not too sure how things went down the last time Michigan hosted a service academy (1981 vs Navy), but let's show respect for them.
Yes, of course I want Michigan to blow them out of the stadium and win the game.
Thoughts?
April 21st, 2012 at 12:42 PM ^
I don't think its that deep.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:42 PM ^
I agree with everything you say, but this is Michigan. Air Force is going to get an applause equal to or perhaps even surpassing the one our own kids get. We don't poop in coolers here.
I dunno about that. I feel like we just boo everyone who isn't us. Even SDSU was booed this year, and it wasn't because we hated them or something. I think it's a good idea to remind fans not to boo people who will end up defending our country.
are enlisted airmen. I will not boo nor do the you suck chant. I will cheer for a big Michigan Victory. However, I will be proud of the Falcons for their sacrifice for ME.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^
I'll be in the student section clapping my ass off. Hope others follow suit.
Weren't you the same guy who posted the Lewan twosie in the same picture with dead U.S. soldiers?
April 21st, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
They're the opposing team so I'm not sure why this is such a bad thing. I have a great repsect for the military but I don't feel its that big of a deal for a football game.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:45 PM ^
Agreed, and I think suspending the "you suck" chant would be nice also. But yeah, you are overestimating the ability of drunk undergrads.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:50 PM ^
Can't we just suspend that chant for good? I think it started my junior year or so and it always bummed me out.
It would be nice to at least limit the 'you suck' chant. It always made me cringe to hear it during some of the RR games in which we were getting blown out.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:46 PM ^
Agree. I was planning to post about it the week before the game or so. Also, do NOT do the you suck chant. It would be very disrespectful and not something that should represent Michigan.
Your username fits well. They're in the air force, they can handle someone yelling "you suck"a few times.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:49 PM ^
April 21st, 2012 at 12:52 PM ^
I have a lot of respect for the academies, one of my best friends graduated from USNA last year and did an exchange semester at AFA, so I know (at least secondhand) what these guys go through and the dedication it takes to attend. Howeva, they're coming to the Big House to play football, and I hope they lose big. As for booing, I could take it or leave it; while it would be a nice gesture, those cadets are there to beat Michigan, and that's boo worthy in Michigan Stadium.
That said, I've heard it's traditional for referees to stop by the USNA's hockey locker room after their games and give them a "thanks for everything" which I always thought was a great thing to do.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^
They are not "college kids no differernt from any other." You need to look in to what they go through at places like west point if you believe that. Most college kids would never make it a day there. You cannot compare ROTC to the acadamies either, there is no comparison.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^
respect the air force, dont need to respect their football team. GBOD.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:53 PM ^
I don't know. I see the point, but coming from a Navy family, I can tell you these guys don't act cordially with each other. It's a game. I think the proper time to show our respect is during the National Anthem, and then treat it like a game.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^
that this is a given and being respectful to our service members is something that people shouldn't have to be told, including the undergrads. I graduated 2 years ago and I know I would have been very dissapointed in my colleagues if they had harrased their team or their fans.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:58 PM ^
Some people may have forgot what it's like for Michigan to play a service academy, since the last time they played one was 1981.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:57 PM ^
Leave the thuggery to TSIO and Little Sister over in EL.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:58 PM ^
I doubt Air Force wants to be coddled. They aren't coming for a love-fest; they're coming to the Big House to play football and to try to win a game. I imagine that fans and players will treat them with proper respect and appreciation, but the first time BWC lights up their quarterback, fans won't feel bad about cheering his demise.
I don't think anyone is saying that we shouldn't cheer for UM. I think the idea was to also cheer Air Force when they first take the field rather than boo them like we usually do an opponent.
The PA announcer will no-doubt introduce the AFA in a very glowing patriotic way. Taking his cue, a majority of the UM fans will likely either cheer or at least not boo. The few who do will then look like assholes to everyone around them.
The only reason to boo would be to justify ones own belief that they are a bigger "fan" than the adults around them.
April 21st, 2012 at 12:59 PM ^
Maybe I'm too old to remember these things, but how often do non-conference teams (ND and other long-time rivals excepted) get booed?
As well, the OP's post is a little too "Moral Majority" for my taste. We had another one these a few days ago that addressed recruits and Twitter harassment. Do MGoBlog users really need preemptive scolding?
Anyway, it's just football.
I guess, but I doubt opposing players take it personally when they're booed at an away game... maybe Boren.
I am not seeing the logic in this at all. It is tradition. And if it is disrespectful to do it to Air Force then it is no different for anyone else. If we are representing Michigan as stated above, doing it at anytime is representative of what we do. Just because it is Air Force doesn't mean we should act any differently. Outside of a few idiots like at any venue we are a decent place to watch a game. If we have fun, root for our team and give a little razzing in the process does not make Michigan a disrespectful fanbase in it's representation.
The you suck chant is in no way a tradition it is at best 5 years old and has ruined the awesomeness that is Temptation.
The Claw, on the other hand... THAT is tradition.
I'm not sure what your point is. The claw is a minor change that people across the stadium don't even notice. Chanting you suck isn't remotely clever or interesting.
April 21st, 2012 at 11:19 PM ^
It's funny because... oh, hell. Just trust me. It's funny.
/Sad panda
Don't take this as Flamebait but... It's a football game. The Air Force players might feel robbed of an experience if they didn't face hostile crowds on the road. (Think back to any of our playing days in high school or whatever how would it feel if the opposing crowd was cheering you on or giving you a light time.) Being booed honestly is part of the fun. I don't have the fortune to get up to A2 for many games anymore. So someone let out a hearty stream of boos for me!
April 21st, 2012 at 10:03 PM ^
Don't take this as Flamebait
Yet.
I must.
Is Air Force bringing its band?
of the possibility that the Air Force players might want to be treated like any other opponent that comes into Michigan Stadium?
They do play football because they love it.... and part of playing football is playing in front of hostile crowds.
I suspect that they are tough enough to handle a few boos.
Edit: Didn't read Flaimbait's response before posting. Looks like it might be more than just a notion.
I appreciate the fact that these men have made a choice to serve their country. However, they will be subject to a hell of a lot worse than booing from opposing fans in the very near future. I feel confident that they can handle what any other opposing team has to deal with at a typical road game.
I have plenty of family members that have gone through various service academies that will tell you that the deification of service members has gone beyond the pale since 9/11. If you choose to serve, good for you, but joining in and of itself is not a heoric act and does not mean you're a patriot.
Didn't Ohio fans boo navy or something disrespectful the last time they played them?
I am an active duty Air Force NCO and a lifelong Michigan Wolverines fan that grew up in Ohio. I am going to try to make it up to this game to root for Michigan. I would like to think that we wouldn't boo the cadets unless they earn it. (Hopefully they don't) Go Blue!
I don't think this is a big concern. We don't really boo nonconference opponents that much when they enter the stadium in the first place. We will, however, make noise when they have the ball - it's a football game, after all.
The bottom line is that there's really no reason to boo a non-rival non-conference team. I happen to think that Michigan fans who welcome opponents and their fans and are gracious in victory or defeat do a ton of good for the program's reputation. Meanwhile, fans who think that the only way to create an intimidating atmosphere is to be a jerk are deluded.
I'd really hate to hear from AFA fans that they were poorly treated. It would be incredibly embarrassing to have my boss go on and on about how Ohio fans know how to treat a service academy while lecturing me on Michigan fans' poor behavior.
Went thru ROTC and into the Air Force. Think this is a litte too politically correct. Go ahead and boo if that's what you are inclined to do. Doubt the cadets will care.
You can bet your ass I will be booing and so will the rest of section 9. I will always boo every visiting team, even if Slipery Rock showed up to get whiped.
Opps I didn't know you could not post ass on here, my apologies. You can bet your butt I will boo them and every other team that dares challenge the Wolverines. Go Blue!