No Offense, FSU Readers    

     In high school, we rooted for our football team. Later in life, we realized our modest cheers and participation in our marching band had no effect on the outcomes. Cheering among 80,000 fans in college likewise produced no touchdowns. 

     Players appreciate cheers, but cheers don't motivate them to win. If that's what it takes, they would lose every away game. Adults and students continue to think they are helping their gladiators.  

     There are cheerleaders, mascots, marching bands and flags to excite the fans-$$$. We attended a game at Clemson years ago. Didn't see a single Clemson fan that wasn't dressed in team apparel from head to foot. Is that how the Tigers beat Georgia Tech that day?

     Okay. It's all about fun. And profits.

     Now, there is one home team I will never, ever watch again.

     I looked in on Florida State's home game with Boston College last weekend. FSU Noles were undefeated in the regular season a year ago, and they have, or had, great expectations this fall.  

     The school has a nice relationship with descendants of the Seminole tribe in Florida. So, their athletes can be Seminole Indians, unlike the shamed Cleveland baseball Indians and Washington's NFL Redskins. 

     While the visitors were having their way with FSU, fans were singing every five seconds, the same Indian song of war, on and on, again and again. None of it produced a Noles win. Later during the night, my mind did some war singing while I was trying to sleep. Last night, it happened again. Enough! I'm blowing the whistle! Throwing the flag!

       Jimmy