Monday, November 30, 2009

The Holy War

I am kinda sick of the whole Holy War thing. All the facebook statuses and comments and stupid remarks from players and fans alike. Utah fans will hold what Max Hall said against BYU for years, just like BYU fans probably would if a Utah player makes stupid comments as well. Yes, I admit they were stupid comments. But I didn't elect Max Hall to be the quarterback, and neither did the Lord. He should have been responsible about his words. But, I have had many experiences where I have thought the same about Utah fans. It's just too much. A healthy rivalry is fun. I have no qualms about getting riled up and having a good competition. In fact, it's one of my favorite things. I love rivalries, and I am a very competitive person by nature. But there is a limit - there needs to be a balance. Too often silly things like football games are taken far too far. People begin judging each other based on something trivial, and bad blood begins circulates ever stronger. It's like a virus, and all it spreads is unhappiness. I just wish we could all be adults about the stupid Holy War. After all, what does being good at football prove anyway? What does winning a game say about what kind of people we are? It says nothing, and I'm sick of being insulted by Utah fans because our quarterback offended them. We should all take a page out of Elder Bednar's book and choose not to take offense - this includes both BYU and Utah fans. We spend so much time worrying about the rivalry that we forget to have fun with it. That's what it's there for. It doesn't prove anything. In heaven I'm not going to get brownie points because I went to BYU, and the Utes aren't going to be better off because they went to their school of choice. In the end it's supposed to be fun and friendly. Not a war, and certainly not one that determines holiness. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's a question I often ask myself - why can't we all just get along?

Phew...now that's off my chest I can sleep. :)