Remember when “sucks” was almost a curse-word and children were reprimanded for using it? Well, now it is in our vernacular and it is very concise and descriptive. I was in line at Wawa the other day (a fabulously successful family-owned regional convenience store with over 600 locations primarily in PA and NJ). An 80-year old great-grandmom turned to a young guy wearing a Cowboys hat and said, “Dallas sucks!”
In the annals of ND history there is great distain for the Michigan Wolverines. Notre Dame has seemed to have a closer affinity for the Michigan State Spartans– who harbor their own hatred for Michigan dating back through the years of condescending snobbery by the private institution against it’s state school rival. MSU was an original “land grant” school with agricultural roots and Michigan fans would ritually taunt their opposition as “Moo U” (True. Dairy…get it?)
But while the ND-MSU kinship is a bit gentler than other historical rivalries , there have been moments of intense competition and controversy.
Of course, the 1966 classic 10-10 tie was intense. And we respect that hallowed day in November. It was hard-fought and professionally amateur.
Far from that noble battle in 1966 would have been September 17, 2005. Has anything been as outrageous as Sparty planting it’s flag at mid-field in Notre Dame Stadium?! This incredible display of disrespect incited the fans and forever tarnished the MSU reputation for whatever level of sportsmanship they may have achieved.
The game was emotional and brutal for over 60 minutes. This was new Irish Coach Charlie Weis’ very first season and he began 2-0 with victories over Pitt and Michigan. Spirits were very high under The Dome for ND Alum Weis (’78) who was flashing Super Bowl rings and a snarl.
QB Brady Quinn could not quite pull-off a Joe Montana miracle and Sparty prevailed 44-41 in overtime. As if victory celebration was not enough, the flag incident was incediary.
So as many of us recall that flag planting, we must conclude that “SPARTY SUCKS!”
Notre Dame MSU
Is this really a mascot or an over-blown cartoon character on steroids? How can anyone take this seriously? The mascot sucks.
Who would have the audacity to come into someone else’s house and display such utter disrespect for the history and tradition of the series between ND and MSU. This act will live in infamy. And if you are Michigan state, shouldn’t your banner sport a big “M”? Their flag sucks.
And furthermore:
– even though we play MSU every year…they still think it is 1966
– Bubba Smith co-starred with O.J. Simpson…he needed to choose his roles more wisely
– MSU spawned Tyrone Willingham (who was willing, but not able)
– Michigan coined “Go Blue” long ago. So MSU followed with the very original: “Go Green. Go White.”
– so when is the last time you met a real Spartan? Aren’t those people dead and extinct?
And this is why Sparty sucks.
GO IRISH!
Beat Spartans!!
See you in OUR house again on Saturday.
Abe
Bye bye Sparty