Block O Table: June Edition (Thanks to El Caballo)

Drew Thurman (8:12 pm)

This edition of the Block O Table focuses on the heart of the fan. The questions come via El Caballo, who is both an active member of both 11W and OHD. For recap, please check out Our Honor Defend.

1) Why are you a Buckeye?

Though I did not grow up in Ohio myself, my family hertiage comes from the Buckeye state. The passion truly started with my father while in college, and was picked up by me while I was growing up. Probably the moment though that I realized just how much I love the Buckeyes was when I was eight years old. I sat 10 rows up on the 50 yard line at Memorial Stadium in Bloomington, and got to watch Joey Galloway have a 90 yard return as the Buckeyes slashed the Hoosiers. That is why I am a Buckeye!  

2) What do you do when you meet a “hater”?

Well since most of my life has been spent outside of Ohio, I run into "haters" all the time. Lately I seem to be getting the "when was the last time the Buckeyes won a bowl game," line. I have to say, I wonder when the "haters" are going to get more creative. With that said, the most I probably ever do to a hater is expose the unfortunate truth of the team they are rooting for. It seems the majority of haters out there root for absolutely terrible teams, and have nothing better to do that rag on another fan's team. So, the truth is not often hard to expose.

3) Is it possible to hate Michigan rationally?

I like most fans would say yes to this question. With a rivalry like the one between the Wolverines and the Buckeyes there is a great amount of respect that each team has for each other, but with that respect also comes complete and utter disgust. That is what makes the rivalry so intense, and the best on the college football stage. I hear all the time of Buckeye fans avoiding the state of Michigan altogether, and the one's who decide to stay normally make a name for themselves. My cousin last year made a trip to Ann Arbor just to pee on the stadium with his young son. So yes, the hatred for Michigan makes us Buckeyes and it seems very rational!

#4: This is a two-parter—or a one-parter, depending on your circumstances. Or a hypothetical three-parter, I don’t know…call it open-ended. Anyway: How do you handle significant others/family/friends that AREN’T Buckeye fans? Do you just let them know upfront that there are three or four hours on Fall Saturdays that you’re just not available, or during which the TV has to be yours? Is it a deal-breaker if they don’t go along with that? Following on that, there are always going to be obligations in life that conflict with the Buckeyes—do you feed the Buckeye monkey or bite the bullet? Or are these questions moot in the age of the DVR?

Pretty much everyone in my life knows what Saturday's in the fall mean to me. My life works around the Buckeye games to the best of my ability, and normally people let that be. The only things that pulls me off my couch are the rare occasions of a huge event, which generally have to do with a wedding or a funeral. Weddings irritate me though, because unlike a funeral they could have picked any other day of the week! Besides that I stay pretty loyal to Saturdays. I have DVR but never feel the same not watching it live, so it is important for me to be present (I mean doesn't the team need me watching?).

5) What’s your policy on sporting Buckeye regalia? Do you roll loud and proud outside of Columbus and/or on non-game days?

This one is obvious, you have to support the Buckeyes whenever you can. I think this seperates the real fans from the "bangwagoners." Being a fan is not always easy, and often you take heat because of your team, but you still never give up. Every morning you wake up and put on your Buckeye gear again to show the world where your heart is!

Extra Credit: What’s your very favorite piece of Buckeye memorabilia? Or what would you like to have, if you don’t have any?

Our family has a Buckeye room that has a ton of Buckeye memorabilia, but my favorite has to be the two newspapers (Columbus Dispatch & Arizona Republic) that are framed with the National Championship win in 2002. Sure the dozens of autographs are cool, but it is extra special to have a piece of a championship that I have witnessed. Not every fan gets to see his/her team win the highest honor in their sport, and so my piece of the National Championship in 2002 is the most special to me.