An Open Letter: Stand Up And Make Neyland Electric
By Zach Ragan
Sep 15, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers pioneer mascot flag bearer waves the flag during the Vol Walk outside Neyland Stadium prior to the game against the Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
If you’re not plugged into the Twitter-Verse, you may have missed out on an open letter that was ran by the Knoxville News Sentinel yesterday.
Assuming you missed it, here’s the letter from Marjorie Jenkins on why Vol fans should “sit down” at Neyland.
"Yes, it is football time in Tennessee, but our conduct at home games is remiss.First, why are we not more respectful when our national anthem is sung/played? In the last two years the announcer has invited us to sing along. The words are displayed for our convenience in the circle of lights around the inside of the stadium. Many lives have been sacrificed for this nation, and many of you are veterans. Please, for the privilege of gathering we owe our allegiance and respect to these folks who have given so much. Sing with a grateful heart.Secondly, folks sitting behind you paid for their tickets just as you did. For some reason you choose to stand throughout the first half, blocking the view. Why? They came to see the game, but now they must stand to see and those behind them must stand to see and so on. The second half you are finally tired of standing and sit down.And lastly, booing is infantile. You come out en masse and boo the very reason (the opponent) you are there. If there is no opponent, there is no game.Choices? We all have to make them. Maturity lies within the right choices. Extend the best of yourself and be a good host and a good Volunteer fan."
First off I want to point out that I completely agree with Marjorie about the national anthem. It should be respected and revered, but I believe most Volunteer fans do just that.
As far as the “sitting down” goes, that’s where I run into some issues with what Marjorie wrote, and for that I offer my own “open letter” to Marjorie and the rest of #VolNation.
"Marjorie and the rest of Vol Nation,I understand the sentiments from your letter to the Knoxville News Sentinel. I understand some of your concerns, but I have a major issue with how you feel about folks standing during the game.I find it very unfortunate for you that Vol fans stand during most of the first half and then sit for the second half. This is, and should be, a major problem for all Tennessee fans in Neyland Stadium.You see I’m in agreement with you Marjorie, I think those fans have it all wrong.They shouldn’t be sitting during the second half. They should be standing, for every third down play, every first down, every completion, every positive play, every chance to sway the momentum.The seats in Neyland Stadium are tiny for a reason. You go to an SEC football game, more importantly a Tennessee Volunteers football game, because you want to be a part of the game, you want to feel a part of the team, you want to contribute to the winning cause.The seats are small because that’s not where you’re suppose to be during the game. You’re suppose to be on your feet, screaming, cheering, feeling, crying, living the moment that is in front of you.Only in that moment can you somewhat connect with the players on the field and the passion they have for this game that we all love.So why Marjorie, do you want to sit idly, just watching from afar, with little emotion, as if you’re at a steeple chase, where the main goal is to be seen?Tennessee football games aren’t a social event where you go to be seen.Tennessee football games are something you live and breathe — 365 days a year.You see, Butch Jones wants that electricity in Neyland Stadium, he wants that energy and that enthusiasm, that true home field advantage. That’s why he’s instituting traditions such as the Fist Up Defense.Teams like LSU and Alabama don’t have fans that are begging others to sit down, they have fans begging others to get on their feet!And that is exactly what Neyland Stadium needs, and will have, under Butch Jones.When Neyland is rocking, there isn’t a better place on Earth.To implore others to sit, so that you don’t have to stand, is disrespectful to MY mecca of college football.Football down south is something special.Please don’t ruin an almost spiritual experience for others. Watch the game on television if that’s what you’re expecting.I ask of you Marjorie, and the rest of Vol Nation, STAND with us at Neyland in 2013 — let’s show Butch Jones the proper welcome.– Zach Ragan"