Apparent Contradictions...

I have never been a Florida Gators fan. If fact it would be more fair to say that I have a bitter hatred of the team. It has been that way since I was kid and each year the Florida State vs. Florida game would be as contentious as any presidential election or decision between my wife and I regarding what we would have for dinner. This season however has been different for me in some regards. I have an undying love for my Noles but I have watched with interest to see how the Gators season would turn out. Then it came time the National Championship game. As I watched all of the coverage of the game it got easier and easier for me to cheer for Florida over Oklahoma. Here are some of the reasons why.

Rarely do you see a young man with the character of Tim Tebow (much less the skill, leadership, and talent).

I hate trash talkers, and Oklahoma certainly gave me plenty to hate in the media interviews the week before the game. I am just curious to know if Oklahoma thinks Tim Tebow is still the fourth best QB if he came to the Big 12.

During the game, adversity never seemed to have any impact on the Gators.

Urban Meyer has now won more National Championships than Steve Spurier did at Florida (man I can't stand that guy).

A team I was cheering for actually won a game. Like I said earlier in the week, I am a kiss of death to the teams I like.

For now I will congratulate the Gators on their victory. I hope it is treasured for some time to come. I hope we all remember the great value of seeing young men succeed not merely at a game, but in life. I also hope that they get beat like an old dog trying to steal the Thanksgiving turkey next year when they play the Seminoles.

This college bowl season has been a pretty good one all in all. A lot of close games, a lot of exciting finishes, and most importantly my Noles won big over the latest challenger put before them. The only down side has been that almost every team I have cheered for has lost. I have been an absolute kiss of death to every team I have tried to inspire to victory by cheering for them from my living room. You name a team and I have single-handedly taken them down. Tonight while watching the Fiesta Bowl, I almost got another one. With a little over two minutes left, I had cheered the Longhorns to a 4 point deficit and then they started driving down the field. With 16 seconds left in the game, they scored a game winning touchdown and by the slightest of margins they stole a win from me. It was miracle. A team I was cheering for had actually won a game. How dare any team break free from the clutches of my fanship (no, I don't really think that is a word either).