How Tim Tebow and Florida Fans Won Over a Rabid USC Trojan Honk

Before I explain the title of this article, let me first confess some sentiments that are borne of being a fanatic USC Trojan fan.

I don't like the SEC or their fans.

More specifically, I have never liked or appreciated Florida fans.

As a USC fan, not liking Florida or their fans felt like a moral obligation.

Of course, in some ways, Florida fans have made it easy for me not to like them.

I have written several articles, some of which were not very complimentary to the SEC, and in return, I have received some very obnoxious replies. The worst of which came from those same Florida fans whom I confessed my distaste for.

Of course, on the field Florida has represented excellence and this too has threatened me, because Florida, over the years, is the only team I believe rivals my Trojans in terms of overall greatness.

And then there is Tim Tebow.

You know, "Superman."

I couldn't stand the guy for his first two years.

However, despite my efforts to maintain a distance emotionally from Tebow, he has won me over in the last couple of years.

After all, the guy is a great player and leader.

But more importantly, he is a great human being.

So despite my efforts to the contrary, I have come to like Tim Tebow.

"That's okay," I thought to myself, "I still can't stand those damn Florida fans!"

And then this morning arrived and that changed too.

While watching ESPN's "college gameday," who are broadcasting from Gainesville, Florida, the home of the Gators, a segment was devoted to my USC Trojans and their efforts on behalf of a soon to be blind seventh grade boy named Jake Olson.

The young man, an avid Trojan fan like myself, had cancer which attacked his eyes.

When he was very young, his left eye had to be removed and eight different times the cancer returned to attack his right eye.

Eight times he beat the cancer but when it returned for a ninth time, it didn't respond to treatment and it was determined the eye would have to be removed, thus sentencing him to a lifetime without sight.

Pete Carroll and the Trojans responded by granting young Jake's final wish before he lost his sight...to be with his beloved Trojans.

An extremely touching story to be sure and one that brought tears to my eyes.

But that isn't what this article is about.

No, this article is about what happened after the segment aired.

Florida fans, those same folks that I developed such distaste for, clapped in appreciation of the Trojans and young Jake Olson.

I was shocked.

Florida fans acting civilized and compassionate? Impossible!

Then on cue, as if they were consciously sending me a message some two thousand miles away, they did something else.

They started chanting.

"Jake!," "Jake!," "Jake!"

Over and over again.

And with each chant, I felt my distaste for Florida fans slowly ebbing away.

Now all is forgiven.

Of course, this can all change if I continue to receive personal insults every time I innocently write an article that questions Florida or the SEC's supposed superiority.

But in the meantime, from a rabid Trojan fan, thanks Florida fan for your kindness and compassion.

Now what am I going to do with all this distaste and no one to direct it toward?

Oh yeah, UCLA is playing my Trojans tonight.

Problem solved.