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Submitted by BB

Have you all missed me?

Forgive my longer than normal absence, but real life does rear its head at times. Very annoying when I have so much I want to say regarding the world of sports.  I thought I’d mark my return with an article recounting events of my recent trip to the greater Portland Oregon area.  

Let me share my observations with you about Oregon Duck fans. After listening to endless hours of the local sports talk radio program, I’m convinced they’re delusional. 

Reason #1

They’ve lost their quarterback—I’m not going to comment on the fact that he’s a thief, and not a very bright one—their star running back might still have to serve time by the time the investigation’s done, and five others were kicked off the team.  The team is in turmoil.

Despite this, the faithful believe they should enter the preseason polls ranked #1 in the Pac 10, and #3 in the national polls. Ahead of Boise State.

I’m all for team loyalty, but like to think I’m in touch with reality. How can they possibly believe they should be ranked higher than the Broncos when BSU beat them, won their bowl game, and all but one of their starters is returning?

Delusional.  I don’t think it’s sunk in that they lost the Rose Bowl, that a new quarterback will be debuting, and that their foes up the interstate have a pretty good team that will return almost all starters. On top of that, they get to play at home this upcoming season. Not even going to mention USC and their potential, or that this may be the year that Jake Locker and Washington finally gel.

Perhaps they’re waiting for Mike Belotti to find a loophole and grant fifth chances to some of these players?

Nope. Sorry.  He resigned as Athletic Director; to much hoopla, I might add.

Imagine my surprise while listening to the NCAA tournament when this breaking story interrupted the game, and continued to do so for over an hour. Given the serious intro and music, I’d thought the Pope had passed, or that something serious had happened. I was quite upset.

He’s beloved in Oregon, and possibly rightfully so. He loves college football so much that he will become a sports commentator for ESPN.

I’m sure he’s done good things for the university, and the football program is what he made it.  But did none of the mourning fans consider that the troubled players and the problems they brought with them were his recruits?

That some of them had known issues, even having been kicked off their high school teams?  That their activities that have been so visible lately have been happening throughout his tenure? Perhaps there was internal pressure to resign due to these factors?

I’m all for giving second chances. We’ve all benefitted from them at one time or another.

I’m not in favor of third and fourth chances and awarding full rides to athletes of questionable character when there are other athletes, or other students more deserving of the opportunity.

Change will be good; it’s probably necessary for the U of O athletic department.

Reason #2

Duck fans are color blind.

Either that, or they embrace the idea that their logos should be as varied and colorful (insert ugly) as their team’s uniforms.

I saw red, blue, black, white and orange O’s in car windows. Don’t they realize their colors are green and yellow? Never fear; I saw a few with those colors as well. But you can’t blame the tourists if they’re confused about the color of ducks.

Reason #3

There is no geographical loyalty.

Don’t the citizens of the Rose City realize that Oregon State is closer to Portland than the University of Oregon? I’d expected to see a few more Beaver fans, but Duck fans far out-numbered them.

And what about rooting for the home boys? When I checked both teams’ rosters last season, the Beavers were the team with actual Oregonians on it; the Ducks had nary an Oregon athlete listed.

I know, I know… athletes come from all over, but come on! Not a single Oregon boy?

Reason #4

Broncos and Bronco fans are not popular here.

Shocking.

Wherever I go, I proudly wear my BSU gear. I received more sneers this visit than I have in the past. I was so tempted to say something, but you’ll be glad to know I restrained myself. Victors should always be classy and gloat privately.

I did have to laugh on my return visit, though. When going through airport security, the X-ray technician saw my blue Broncos T-shirt. He asked me if I thought that Brady Quinn would really be the answer.

I stared blankly at him for a minute, not comprehending. Then he looked more closely at the logo on the shirt and realized his mistake.

“Oh, those Broncos. They’re not very popular here.”

As I said; shocking.

Moving further along the line, I realized what he’d been asking, so I turned around and told him that no, I didn’t think Brady Quinn would be the answer.

“You a Denver fan, then?”

“Nope…a 49er fan.”

“Oh.” He looked disappointed in me. “Well, you’re oh for two here, then.”

Again, I showed restraint. I could so easily have said that in fact they were oh for two against my Broncos.

This incident exhibited both color-blindness as well as geographical disloyalty. Boise State Bronco blue is clearly different from Denver Bronco blue.

And Seattle is much closer to Portland than Denver.

When I arrived back in Boise, one of the first questions out of my mouth to my father, who has been house and child sitting for me, was, “How is spring ball going?”

It’s almost football season again, and although I’ll be living in Oregon when it offically starts, I was in Boise first. The orange and blue will follow me there.

Don’t think I’m not paying attention to one of the best sporting events known to man. The NCAA tournament’s first weekend was spectacular. So many underdogs to root for–that won! Basketball is the true equalizing sport, especially in a one-and-done scenario. It’s parody, baby…parody.

I hope the upcoming weekend will be as good as the previous, but however it turns out, I’ll be back with more observations and insights. And don’t think I’m without opinions on the 96 team format proposed for next years’ tournament.

I also want to talk about the NFL, Tiger, and I may even throw in some baseball, just for grins.

So stay tuned; I shall return.

Email questions and comments to:  BroncoBabe@lassensportsnetwork.com

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