Just the way it is

This was taken from Tider Insider
Who'sYourDarby?
2006-11-15 02:56:38
Forgive me in advance for this post, but tuesday is the day that theIron Bowl hits me every year.I never post, but I have been reading TIall day, and i want to make sure that i am not alone here.

I am a guy from birmingham . I'm 27. i went to alabama . My mom went toalabama. My dad went to alabama . My brother went to Auburn , but neverwaivered in his love for the tide. I love houndstooth. I name my pets after bama football players. I have damaged relationships over my lovefor my University. My fiance wont talk to my during a game. I KNOW inmyheart of hearts, that even in an era when we arent winning, that we are winners. I know that 12 national championships means something, and iwill argue that point with any fan of any team until i am blue in theface. It matters.
We are in a part of the country where we live and die by college football, and I like You, am the reason for that. I want towin saturday because i was taught as a child that when the Crimson tidelines up to play, we win. I was taught that there is nothing greater than our football team. Other fans say it about their own team, whyshouldnt they? Anyone can cheer, and want their team to win, but theyarent cheering for Alabama . We are.
They have no idea what that means.They dont know how important Bear was, not only to us, but to anyonewhoputs on a football helmet. What he did transcends. It's a foundation.It's an attitude. It's a way of doing things. We win.
In every argument i have every had about football, I win. I win because i am an alabama fan. Say we are disillusioned, and we dont care. Poordefense? Maybe. Who cares. I'm a tide fan. Questionable coaching? sure.who cares. I'm a tide fan.
I have spent my entire life, living among auburn fans who constantly judge their success against ours. we are abenchmark. we are bothered by not winning titles. they are bothered bynot beating us. they are used to not winning titles.
I hate Auburn . Ihate them because i have listened to them. I hate them because they think they are good. i hate them because they hold 4 fingers in my faceand think it means something. It doesnt.
At an alabama/auburn baseball game while i was in college, we went upwith an 8th inning 3 run shot. My father was jumping around like a kid. He was beyond excited. I thought he would have a heart attack, andeveryone else in the stadium was right there with him. In the middle ofthe madness, as we all knew we had the game in hand, my father turnedtome, snatched me by the shirt, and in the most evil voice i have everheard, said to me, "you've got to HATE those sons of bitches." he meantit. he was right. no matter what they say, we win. we are the crimson tide. they are not.
I believe that somewhere inside of every true auburnfan, there is the faint notion that they wish they had begun life as analabama fan. i hate auburn. i hate them BECAUSE they are auburn. ialways will. you should too.
If you read all of this, thank you.
Nothing i have written is news,brilliant, enlightening, or even worth reading. I dont apologize forthat. I needed to vent. I needed to prepare. I needed to set the tone for myself. i have my game face on. i hope you do too. it matters. wewin.