Sounds like you got too close to all those behind-the-scenes things. Soured your taste for the product. Might've been better if you never saw what was inside the factory walls at all.
You don't have to be an insider within the program to recognize the product on the field....
Almost every one of those guys on the SEC Network who have doubtful views for this year are former SEC PLAYERS...and some of them have actually played in the Super Bowl....
And they know that when it looks like sheet....and smells like sheet...you don't have to step in it to realize that it is sheet....
I salute any and all VOL FANS...
But the true problem in the program is exactly what LWS described.....
And just to jog everyone's memory....even CPF has been saying the same things LWS said for many, many years now...
What would you say to Phil?
You never got the sausage factory saying, did you, VFnB?
EDIT: I realized you probably deserve a more considered response than that. So here goes:
There are things in life to take up arms against. Defense of your nation, protection of your loved ones, shielding the innocent from unnecessary suffering.
Then there's football. Which is, you know, a hobby. A pastime. A leisure activity.
It's a part of the entertainment industry. Specifically at the college level, it's where the entertainment industry and the capstone education of our young adults come together.
So it's not really one of those things to get all Warrior For Justice'd up over. Unless you happen to work in the industry; then it's perhaps important for you to stand up for The Right Thing.
But most of us, we're just fans. Just being entertained. No requirement for us to learn the business side, or "hold people's feet to the fire" over how it's managed. We're just here for the entertainment.
So...you are more than welcome to get all riled up about what's happening with the program outside the stadium if you wish.
But that doesn't make you more of a fan. It just puts you inside the entertainment industry. Inside the sausage factory, so to speak. And you're not necessarily going to get any enjoyment whatsoever out of it, so I hope you're there to work.
Me, I'm just a Vols fan. And happy to be.
Go Vols!
Hmm.
Would like to vote but since the desciptions are so ridiculous, its hard to take part in this poll.
8 choices are senselessly overly negative. It seems as if you're funnelled into either moronically comparing this year to a possible national championship season or incontinence.
Id say its definitely less than 92,93, 95,96,97,98,99,00,01, maybe less 02,03,04,05, but then im older, less blind in my optimism, more rational, less likely to get excited.
But im at least as excited as last year. And last year i was more excited than i'd been in a long time.
Absolutely love that article, Chatta, get goosebumps every time I read it.
Love this part the best:
The trees trying to out-pretty each other. The writer, Jake Vest, has a gift turning phrases.
And there's stuff in there a big portion of VolNation could learn from. This bit in particular:
Thank you, Chatta. Thank you, Jake. Go Vols!
My maiden name is Vest - wonder if we're related! He pegged it - lots of my East Tennessee "People" never even went west of Church Hill but they love our Vols.
I'm a 10 on the scale every single season! Like you, I really didn't like the descriptions but I did select 10 anyway!
So...we should be ingorant of facts so we can continuously hype ourselves up by posting silly threads on VN? Interesting take.
LWS, reminds me of the saying about the sausage factory.
If you like to eat sausage, never visit one.
Sounds like you got too close to all those behind-the-scenes things. Soured your taste for the product. Might've been better if you never saw what was inside the factory walls at all.
Kinda hard to "unsee it," I know, but if you want to get back to the excitement of being a Vols fan, you'll have to do your best. Figure out some way to pretend you never saw or experienced anything beyond the football, in the stadium, with the coaches and the lads.
I can't imagine dying without loving the Vols right into my grave. Would hate to see that happen to you. Hope you find a way to get back to the sheer thrill of being a fan.
:hi:
Lol, you say that like there's some kind of grand merit to over-analyzing things you cannot change and moping about them.
Is your "interesting take" to continue to eat sausage but watch it getting made so you can be upset about it?
Even with bad decisions and lack of support from the administration, we have still had Fulmer years and success. And even though schools like Florida have shown their willingness to fully back Athletics, I've seen nothing to suggest that we won't step on the field with them again this year and very possibly pull out another victory.
Dam sure not selling my tickets in losing interest in the games because or what some idiot corporate type people do.
most disinterested I have been in over 50 years. I will still watch a lot of football once it starts including watching Vols games multiple times.
My interest level is NOT just related to football but the athletics program over all. Have lost all faith in those in charge (UT administration, Athletics administration and the boosters that decide things) to do the right things to bring athletics up to compete for championships. Leadership is the worse I have seen in all my time following the Vols.
I have sold my season tickets (14 of them) for the last two years.
...My children said "stay away from daddy after Tennessee loses" for the last time many years ago....
