I've been a college football fan since age 7 in 1969 when, living in Niles, Michigan and watching Michigan on television, my dad (an IU grad) came into the room and said, "What are you watching Michigan for? Notre Dame's just down the road in South Bend." He then switched the channel to WNDU Channel 16, which at the time broadcast every home game, with Tom Dennan calling the play-by-play. Theismann to Gatewood, etc. Of course, I soon discovered the Lindsey Nelson replay on Sunday morning. My love for Notre Dame football was born right then.

My grandmother had a 33 rpm album of college fight songs that I played over and over. Even though they're our hated rivals, USC and Michigan have cool fight songs (not as cool as ours, of course), despite what you think I'm supposed to think. The other ones I remember on that album are Wisconsin, Ohio State, Army, Navy, West Virginia, Yale, Georgia Tech, Texas and Georgia.

When Indiana won the national championship, I did become emotional thinking about my dad and how he wouldn't believe it, being the great IU fan he was. I thought of their legendary broadcaster Don Fisher and all the bad football he saw in 53 years. I was made fun of and insulted for that by a jerk or two here when I wrote about it in January, but now I don't care. As Paul Finebaum said, IU winning the national championship is the greatest story in the history of our sport. And I agree. Two years ago in May 2024 people were laughing at Curt Cignetti for his bravado. No one's laughing now.

So while I love Notre Dame football, watching every play of to every game if at all possible, getting mad when we lose and joyful when we win, I also love the sport of college football, NIL warts and all. It's the greatest team sport ever invented.