The stage was set for a fantastic football game in Madison last Saturday. The UW Badgers were highly touted in pre-season predictions but having lost to Michigan State, they needed to prove themselves. Ohio State came in rated No.1 in the country. The weather for the night game was in the high 60’s F. with a calm wind. Remember this was October 16. The game began with the Badgers running the opening kick-off back for a touchdown to start the game. I don’t remember 82,000 people being so exuberant; ever. The atmosphere was “electric”. The energy in the stadium could have powered the city of Madison for a month. The last time the Badgers beat a No.1 rated team was 1981 (Michigan to start the season). I was there. Kelly was in the Marching band. Saturday I was there again for the dethroning of No.1. Grasshopper No.3 got to “high five” every touchdown with the crowd around us. And Grasshopper No.4 (who brags about all the great contests he has witnessed) actually turned down a free ticket. What was Grasshopper No.4 thinking. Maybe the biggest game in 29 years!
Grasshopper No.4 lives for football. He attends Tommy’s games. He coaches youth football and Dominic is on his team He is the official statistician for Friday Night Lights North High football games. He attends freshman games for North High. Grasshopper No.4 has been known to attend one or two UW games each year. And then, there is Green Bay Packers football on Sundays. You get the idea. For Grasshopper No.4 to turn down the ticket for Ohio State (rated No.1) defies explanation. Of course the concepts of “overload” and “family time” come to mind.
I predict that the Badgers will go to Iowa next Saturday and “get stuffed”. In the mean time, bragging for one week is fun and optimism springs eternal. Go Bucky.
Enjoy the weather.
Love,
Dad