Ex-athletes just don't get it

I just had to get this off my chest. Why is it that so many ex-athletes think the "common folk" don't understand so much about sports. Sure we don't understand what its like to be in the spotlight, in the locker room and in the game, but other than that we get it. I hate to call one guy out, but Mike Golic got me fired up this last week and change talking about the ND USC rivalry like we don't understand what it is like because we haven't been in the game. Of course he just happened to make it to that game and not to many others. How is he such a big fan? How does he get the rivalry so much? Has he driven to USC or ND for a road game in a packed car? I doubt it. Has he had to save up all year to make it to the ND games? NO! There are people who are die hard fans who do this EVERY game. He went to the school for 4 (or was it 5 because of injury) years! Many people are fans of teams from the time they can walk! They have been hating their rivals for 16 years before going to college.

I understand its different on the field than in the stands, but guess what. We get it. We understand its a bigger game. Every year before Iowa and Wisconsin games the players get a little more fired up. SO DO WE! We get fired up for the game a year before it happens, the day after the game is done! We want to get revenge if we lose, crush them over and over if we win! 1/4 of the players haven't even stepped on the field!

Its not just Golic, its a lot of ex-players. I like a lot of Golic has to say actually. We get it though. We are a HUGE reason the rivalries continue. If the stadium is 1/2 full, the players won't care as much. Rivalry games are PACKED. The media puts it out there, kids on campus let players know its a big game.

So please, quit trying to tell us about rivals. You don't know them any better than we do.