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February 2, 2010

I didn't volunteer for this - I do not bleed Blue

By Kevin Marlow

I would like to go on record and say that I am one of the few people in this great state that does not bleed the proverbial blue. Being born in the state of Tennessee, I was raised believing that the Volunteers were the greatest team in the free world. I also thought of most Kentucky fans as “crazies” or “lunatics.” I mean who could blame me?

But thanks to a change in address (my wife said it was time to move home), I am starting to learn what it’s like on the other side of the line.

It didn’t take me long to realize that the passion this fan base shows for its team is second to none when compared to other schools nationally. The attitude that outsiders consider to be “insane” is really just a way for the people of this state to show their support to a program that by my own admission may be the greatest program in the country.

Not so fast, Mr. (Tim) Branstetter. With that being said, the Tennessee Volunteers are and always will be the greatest sports program in the world, at least to me. And yes, I mean basketball, too.

I know some people are shocked to hear this, but I mean it. I have been wearing these orange colored glasses for a very long time, and I don’t believe that will be changing simply because I change my address.

The funny thing about all of this is that the basic fundamentals of being a true fan requires a person to be a little crazy. It requires a person to defy logic and declare such things as “no way (Devan) Downey scores 30 against anybody else in the SEC.” At last check, Downey is averaging just under 34 points a game in SEC play. That’s for you, Tim.

The truth is that I also do the same thing when it comes to my team. If my team loses, I will blame everyone and everything for their shortcomings. When my Vols lost to Georgia, it was not because Tennessee did not play well, it was because the officials called the game poorly.

When we lost to Vanderbilt, it was because the Commodores were shooting the ball better than Michael Jordan ever dreamed off.

I am glad to be in Southeastern Kentucky and I look forward to making many new friends as I settle in here. I love to talk sports with the opposition because it allows me to view the sports world from other people’s perspectives, no matter how much I disagree with them.

I believe that Kentucky fans are a special breed of people. They give 100 percent support to their team no matter what the circumstances. Whether it’s a coaching change or young freshman signing for the Wildcats, the fans treat each situation like it’s Christmas morning. Maybe this year, Santa is rewarding you for putting up with Billy Gillispie for those two years.

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