We love our school. -we love our football team more.
Have you every heard 2001 under the lights of a night game? -I cry every single time.
Remember when you got that Christmas present you campaigned for all year long? -that's how loud we cheer when Cocky is revealed during the crescendo of 2001, just before the players run onto the field.
We appreciate that we went 0-21 once. -humility is a good thing.
We were crying like babies when we won that first game. -we stole the goal posts and bushes because we didn’t want the moment to end. (then we stole them a few more times)
We know Holtz changed it all for us- Spurrier made better. -and Beamer made us believe.
Fuck Muschamp. We genuinely HATE Muschamp. -don’t even mention that guy to a Gamecock.
We beat Ohio State. Twice. -they were National Champions the following year.
The HIT. -no other explanation necessary, other than OSU fans and players alike didn't give a fuck about those consecutive Outback Bowls when this occurred.
We are hopeless romantics. -how can we not be?
We are passionate and confidant. -some might say we are cocky.
Our passion annoys 99% of the people who don’t get it - we do not care.
We are grateful for every moment. - and understand more than anyone why George Rogers carries his Heisman around with him, every day.
We hate the color orange. -we really hate the color orange.
We don’t give an actual fuck how many “Nattys” Clemson has won. -we smile knowing Dabo fell for “may I take my pic of you,” and it was usually the little kid in the picture who held up 5 fingers.
We hate Georgia just as much as Clemson. -and never in my life have I heard a Williams-Brice Stadium ‘boo’ the opposing coaches, until Muschamp ran out on the field with them.
Cam Newton Broke every single one of our hearts in 2010. -we all know he played as one, while we played as a team.
We develop the kind of people you are proud to be around. "Second quarter, with about five minutes left, fate got me. It was dreadful. A lot of anger. A lot of disappointment. Lot of pain all wrapped into one. I was shouting in the x-ray room. I tore all four ligaments in my knee — ACL, LCL, PCL and MCL — my calf muscle and hamstring and my femoral artery had been hit, which is why I couldn't feel anything. … I was never mad at [Eric Gordon]. At the end of the day, it was a good play. It was a legal tackle." - Marcus Lattimore. -Lattimore was my favorite player to watch on the Gamecocks football team. He was so fucking good. And pure of heart. I will always respect that man.
Quick side note due to my obvious ADHD: Despite his abbreviated career, Lattimore ranks No. 6 on South Carolina's all-time rushing list with 2,677 yards and owns the school record for rushing touchdowns (38) and overall touchdowns (41). His best season came as a freshman in 2010 when he rushed for 1,197 yards on 249 carries. He earned SEC Freshman of the Year and unanimous Freshman All-America honors.
The NFL loves the players we give to them. -yet they treat us like a moped; it's okay to ride around the neighborhood, but you don’t want anyone to see you on it.
Dan Reeves, Bobby Bryant, George Rogers, Harold Green, Sterling Sharpe, Robert Brooks, Duce Staley, Sheldon Brown, John Abraham, Jonathan Joseph, Richard Seymour, Sidney Rice, Ryan Succop, D.J. Swearinger, Alshon Jeffery, CLOWNY, Melvin Ingram, LATTIMORE, Mike Davis, Stephon Gilmore, Damiere Byrd, Connor Shaw, DEEBO, Hayden Hurst, Javon Kinlaw, Nick Muse, and Xavier Legette. Phil Petty, Jonathan Martin, Ryan Brewer, Jason Corse, Trey Pennington, Travis Whitfield, Andrew Pinnock, Courtney Leavitt, Vic Penn, Anthony Wright, Jermale Kelly, Scott Browne, Rod Trafford, Reed Morton, Corey Jenkins, Eric Kimrey, Derek Watson, Steve Florio, Tyeler Dean, Cleveland Pinckney, and Corey Bridges. -each name on this list is a Gamecock. Sure, not all of these men made it to the NFL, but each name means something to us.
We truly believe that when we are yelling at the television during a game the team can hear our obvious expertise. -and truly believe the refs are perpetually against us.
We know that every season we could (and probably will) beat the best team in the USC. -and then lose to the worst.
We have one logo for the entire university- aside from the baseball team. -they get their own, and no one really knows why.
We show up. We have no issue learning 100 different chants- depending on the direction of The Might Sound of the Southeast. We understand that we could be up 1million points going into the 4th quarter- and lose. We understand that we could be down 1million points going into the 4th quarter- and win. We are fiercely loyal. We do not give up. We see the potential. We get frustrated. We fight.
We are the mighty Gamecocks and the REAL CAROLINA. We are the mighty Gamecocks and the REAL USC.
I don’t want to jinx my college football team, as I believe every major sports media outlet might have already, but I am a day away from kicking off college football season. I am also a day away from my family vacation to Sanibel Island. Â I feel like my head is about to explode with too much stimulation, but I’ll take it.
I have actually been reading the “match-up” reviews, and looks like North Carolina is expected to upset the people of William Brice Stadium tomorrow evening. I don’t know what I think will happen. Although, I am not happy that Shaw keeps hurting himself.  Brad likes Thomson better, but I don’t know if either will lead the offense like they need to, in order to pull off the win. I miss the days of Lattimore, Garcia, Jeffrey, Sanders, Gilmore, and Ingram. Gosh they were fun to watch together (even more fun when Clowney entered the scene).  All eyes look to Clowney, but is he enough? Let’s hope! Let’s hope this young team pulls it together and has the confidence to understand what a great ball club and coach they have the privilege of representing. Oh, and a win would be really cool, too.
My blood bleeds Garnet & Black- and I seriously feel bad for the people who will be on my flight tomorrow. Â Oh- did I forget to mention that I will be watching the first hour of this from 30,000 feet?
my five points of the friendly skies.
I have downloaded the necessary iPhone app in order to guarantee my front row seat. I have pre-ordered my 24 hour Delta WiFi pass. I have even emailed Delta- at the small chance I get a newer plane with a real TV in the seat.  I’m not taking any chances on missing this game.  Our layover is in Atlanta.  Don’t worry- I have already mapped out the closest restaurant to our gate. I just hope the other people on my flight don’t mind that I channel Carl Lewis on exiting the plane. It’s not personal, it’s Carolina football.
“We Hail Thee Carolina”
We hail thee, Carolina, and sing thy high praise
With loyal devotion, remembering the days
When proudly we sought thee, thy children to be: Here’s a health, Carolina, forever to thee!
Since pilgrims of learning, we entered thy walls
And found dearest comrades in thy classic halls
We’ve honored and loved thee as sons faithfully; Here’s a health, Carolina, forever to thee!
Generations of sons have rejoiced to proclaim
Thy watchword of service, thy beauty and fame;
For ages to come shall their rallying cry be: Here’s a health, Carolina, forever to thee!
Fair shrine of high honor and truth, thou shalt still
Blaze forth as a beacon, thy mission fulfill,
And crowned by all hearts in a new jubilee: Here’s a health, Carolina, forever to thee!
Once the game has concluded, we will be on a much needed and deserved vacation for the Labor Day weekend. There will be shelling, laughs, gator hunting, relaxing, reading and sun. Nothing else matters for the next 5 days.
It’s hard to say which one I am looking forward to more, but it’s safe to say- as much as I love my Gamecocks, I can’t wait to spend some quality time with the boys on a beach. Â Sorry, Sir Big Spur.