I anticipate taking a rash of crap for this article and that’s alright. I’ll take it. Controversy can be a good thing sometimes, and if I’m stepping on toes, it’s because I mean to. So, go ahead and call me a dinosaur and move on because I’m going to say what others are afraid to say.
If you are a Husker football fan there is a chance you listen to KFOR’s Average Joe Sports show with hosts Chris Schmidt and Elijah Herbal. The show often includes Bill Doleman and Justice Rody as well. The guys put out a show seven days a week so there is plenty of great content. One of their shows is the ‘Real Red Reaction Show’ which occurs after every game. But this article isn’t about what a great show they put out or how much I enjoy their content. This is about a call that they got after Penn State kicked the chocolate out of Nebraska Saturday night.
Of course, the Average Joes, being Nebraska football fans, were expressing their disappointment at the Husker’s performance. Let’s be honest, they were critical, but they are professionals, they in no way crossed any lines. However, considering callers and their use of language, it was obvious the listeners had more to say.
But then they got a caller who expressed her disappointment in the show by saying, “I hope none of the football players, the coaches, and the assistants listen to this program. The last caller was about the only one that had anything decent to say about our players and how hard they work. Every game has one team that is going to be better than the other one. That’s always going to happen. Our team played as hard as they could, they did their best. And I don’t understand why all the callers run everything down, if our team is as bad as they are saying when they call in and make their comments, why do they bother to listen to the game even.”
Alright, go ahead and chastise me now because in my opinion this caller is everything that is wrong with football. Players and coaches must be held accountable. Who cares if little Tommy is butt-hurt because we all criticized his ability to sew a cross-stitch. The caller is a perfect example of someone who supports participation trophies, guardian caps, and defenseless players. All of which are a joke in my book and ruining the game.
Let me give you my thoughts on the term ‘defenseless’ whether you want to hear it or not. There is no such thing. When you lace up the cleats, strap on the helmet, and step on the field, you’re in the game. You need to always have your head on a swivel, because let’s face it, you are a target that can be hit. You’ve elected to participate. If you are standing around with your head up your butt, you deserve to get hit. End of story. Players live to make hits like that. Ask Kenny Bell if he has any regrets about the hit he made against Wisconsin. No helmet to helmet, no targeting, just football.
I blame it all on fantasy football and Las Vegas. These two things have dragged everybody and their support dog into the sport, all watching and now participating. People who never played the game and have no understanding of football want to change the game because they feel it is too violent, and well, little Tommy wants to play, and he just isn’t as big or athletic as the other kids.
Newsflash! Football isn’t for everybody. Never has been, never will be. It’s a violent sport that was meant to be played that way. It’s what makes football the sport it is. Recognize that and pick up a ping pong paddle if you don’t like it.
Have you ever heard of a boxer with a glass jaw? If not, it’s someone who possesses all the boxing skills needed to be a champion. He has size, speed, can dance, has a quick left jab and a powerful over hand right. He has a sneaky left upper cut, he can bob, weave and defend. He has it all, except for one thing. He can’t take a punch. He has a glass jaw and can be dropped like a dirty pair of underwear. So, what happens? He goes nowhere and gives up the sport. It’s part of boxing. He’s smart enough to recognize he isn’t built for the sport.
Yet, in football we want to totally disregard this import rule. I don’t understand why. Because a glass jaw applies to football as well. Rather than people just accepting the fact the game isn’t for everyone, they try their damnedest to make the sport conform to everyone’s needs or wants. It’s impossible to do and is killing one of the greatest sports ever played.
You don’t like physical contact, being hit, bloodied up or possibly having a broken bone, then stay away from football. There are plenty of other sports for you. Stop demanding the sport be changed because of your inability to stomach the physicality.
Yes, every game has one team that is better than the other. That is why they play the games, because the best team doesn’t always win. In the words of Pittsburgh Steeler’s head coach Mike Tomlin, “The more violent team wins.”
It’s true, and I believe your team is only as violent as the meanest SOB on your squad. Who is that on this 2025 Nebraska team. Is there anyone you’ve heard singled out for that title since Rhule arrived? Who puts off that vibe? I’ve said it already this season and I’ll say it again. This Nebraska team is soft.
We saw that Saturday night and we’ll continue to watch them struggle and drop games they shouldn’t until they become the more violent team.
GO BIG RED!!
~Lyle Harmon