Confession time.

The observer gets asked every other year if he’s going to attend the University of Louisville-Kentucky football game in Lexington.

The answer is always no, and for good reason. He values his health and well-being.

U of L needs as much support as it can get at Commonwealth Stadium, and one has to admire Cardinal fans who make the trip. Those are great fans, as about as good as they come. He salutes them for their loyalty.

The observer has been invitedby a Kentucky fan to attend a couple of times to attend games over there, believe it or not. He declined, and will continue to decline. Doesn’t want to lose a good friend.

His love for the University of Louisville would not allow him to control his emotions when so people in the tailgating area and in the stands are badmouthing his favorite program, especially when they are fans of a school he abhors.

Bad attitude. Immature. Ridiculous. Intolerant? All of those things but at least he recognizes his limitations, knows it’s more than just a game.

Heaven help him, and them, if things get physical.

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By Charlie Springer

Charlie Springer is a former Louisville editor and sportswriter, a public affairs consultant, a UofL grad and longtime fan.

8 thoughts on “Why one fan avoids Lexington for UofL-UK games”
  1. Same guy, Charlie. For some reason, the Wildcats just don’t take their football as seriously as hoops. If the SEC expands and members go to a nine game conference schedule, the early money is on Louisville as the team the Cats will drop from their schedule.

    Football is a reason for UK fans to tailgate. What happens inside Commonwealth really is just a secondary matter for the majority of the fan base. Add Keeneland racing in October and is just an all-day party for students and alumni.

  2. The modern day rivalry turns 18 on Saturday. I’ve been to each and every game. Will be there again this Saturday. In all those years, in both Louisville and Lexington…I’ve never had a physical encounter or fisticuffs with a Big Blue fan. A few heated words here and there…especially after the first game back in 1994 when David Akers missed two chip shot field goals and the Cats won 13-10.

    I wear my Red. At the Lexington games, I tailgated for years in the midst of the sea of Blue before heading over to the Red Mile two years ago.

    Truth be told, the Memphis fans were much more obnoxious and rude back when our football rivalry was en vogue with them. And the absolutely worst place for a visiting Cardinal to go is Morgantown.

    1. I’ve never had much of a problem in Lexington but it is absolutely true about Morgantown. It can get very scary there.

  3. I know where you’re coming from, Charlie. I’ve been there and it’s not very pleasant. Not responding to all the garbage you hear in Lexington requires tons of restraint.

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