My wife is grateful that I am not a football fan. I turn on the TV and watch the Super Bowl listlessly for ten minutes and then click it off. College football gets about five minutes, even when my alma mater, Notre Dame, is playing. What turns me off is the slick commercialism of the event and the ruthless professionalism of the players.I was a fan once, back when I was a student--- when the players were not hired celebrities but genuine students and when college football still involved a certain amount of school spirit and sportsmanship. I even played a small part on one of Notre Dame's more stirring moments.On October 7, 1950, a 39-game unbeaten streak was stunningly ended when the Fighting Irish lost to Purdue 28-14. With a unity of purpose that I thought only beehives possessed, the entire student body surged to the doorway of the team's locker room---not to boo but to cheer and reassure them for fifteen wonderful minutes. It was an honor to be part of that crowd. I seem to recall...(Read Full Post)