First, let me apologize for not taking my camera. LSU purple is as vivid as any color on the football spectrum. Playing at night accentuated the color. It was striking.
The game itself was a gem and a hoped for metaphor for the people of Louisiana. LSU won 35-31. They received a few charitable contributions from ASU, such as an inexplicably timed fake punt with such high bothcery on ASU’s end that LSU scored a go-ahead touchdown without breaking a sweat.
The fourth quarter was a classic heavyweight battle. Each team marched and scored to answer their opponent. LSU won the game on a marvelously improvised, perfectly thrown 40 yard strike to a double-covered receiver who managed to scrape one foot in bounds as he flew out of the end zone.
The metaphor for the people of Louisiana? LSU took some of ASUs charity, glady I might add, but crafted their comeback victory on guile, guts, and their superior talent. LSU prevailed just as the people of Louisiana will take our generosity and rebuild their lives.
I work for a company that has a division in NO. The building suffered minimal damage, but the people were scattered with the wind. I worked on a hotline that answered calls from wandering employees and directed them to a temporary work assignment 200 miles north. The company is helping in ways large and small. It was an honor to help. The people were marvelous. Their stories were wrenching. It isn’t my business to retell their stories. I will say this. These people tell a different story than the politicized, hysteria unfolding on cable TV.
I’ve seen many, many college football games in my life. But I haven’t been to any where the fans respectfully applauded both teams as they left the field. If you can find a tape of the game or view the game on replay, do yourself a favor. View it. It is a wonderfully played game and a game that has many winners.
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