“Football fans share a universal language that cuts across many cultures and many personality types. A serious football fan is never alone. We are a legion, and football is often the only thing we have in common.” – Hunter S. Thompson
There are hundreds of fan bases across the country which will claim that their fans are like none other, but I do have to argue that the SEC fan bases, especially here in Oxford, are a tough act to follow when it comes to showing their loyalty and allegiance to their Ole Miss Rebels.
Saturday afternoon proved to be no different with a record breaking 7,000 of the Ole Miss faithful gathering for what I like to call their pre season soree/ reunion to share a “Hotty Toddy.”
Each season I have the opportunity to cover this event it makes me realize the unique pageantry and camaraderie that live here in Oxford which truly bring a community together to support their team in all facets. Veterans and rookies of all ages and from all over the Southern region lined the sidewalks of the Manning Center with their prideful memorabilia, wearing their colors boldly and proudly for hours, before the doors were even open. If that’s not dedication folks then I don’t know what is.
Despite there not being an empty place on the gridiron for the event, fans were able to enjoy a sneak peak of a gameday atmosphere while they eagerly awaited to get their one-on-one time with the Ole Miss coaches and players.
I will have to say that the world had better watch out because some of the young rebels I saw on the sidelines having their own Saturday Scrimmage are going to be great for recruiting one day.
Oh the stories I could tell from being just a face in the crowd on this assignment are something that would make anyone proud to be an Ole Miss Rebel, but it’s a little difficult to get around to all 7,000 of y’all.
Of course any fan will tell you they are proud to gloat on the Rebels “Triple Crown” sweep last season with the victories in the Magnolia, Egg & Sugar Bowls, especially those whose spouses are from a rival team. The Rebel faithful take their ball club seriously — from keeping the lasting traditions among alums to showing the ropes to the next generation of Rebels. Each year during Meet the Rebels I find that as a journalist and analyst I have a moment where I can take off that ball cap and just be immersed in the moment of all the people that surround you at event like this.
It’s nice to take a moment and just be a fan sometimes. But more importantly, you come to realize that all that is going on before your eyes is more than just a game and winning titles. It really isn’t about the pageantry that Ole Miss is known for rather when you peel back all of those layers. It’s about keeping something alive and giving glory in something you stand behind whether you go undefeated or come in dead last.
Each one of the fans who filled the Manning Center for Meet the Rebels on Saturday afternoon brings his or her own tradition and their own story, and for a few hours all of it just comes together to make something truly unique that very few fan bases can say they have or can experience.
For a good portion of the fans at Meet the Rebels, this is one of many stops to kickoff their Rebel football season. Most of them are eagerly waiting to dust off those jackets and dresses along with their tent chandeliers to make their statement in the Grove, and I can guarantee they have gone to great lengths to make sure they have secured tickets for the 2016 campaign.
However, it also great to meet and see the fans who have planned and waited just for this day because this is closest they will come to a gameday atmosphere, coaches and players perhaps this season. Some of the fans I get to meet really do make sacrifices to even be at Meet the Rebels and just to show how much they stand by this program and take pride in being a Rebel even if it’s from afar.
When you are able to witness such a diverse fan base come together for a common goal, it is a site that really brings a new meaning to being an Ole Miss Rebel. The football team was not the only program being highlighted. The day also included Ole Miss Volleyball and Rifle teams being showcased along with the backbone of the “Rebel Spirit” the Ole Miss Cheerleaders and Rebelettes.
There is nothing better than being able to go unseen to really be able to capture the plethora of moments going on around and give it a small amount of justice in this brief excerpt of a day @ Meet the Rebels 2016.
Don’t just take my word for what you are missing out on. Come experience it for yourself this season. All I can say Rebel Nation is, Are you Ready?
Lee Ann Herring-Olvedo is a contributor for HottyToddy.com. She can be reached at misskentuckyus2011@gmail.com.
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