Many of my young formative years were spent in the South. The part of the country where you still said "yes sir" and "yes ma’am" and where you never questioned the cultural rules.
Now there are many things that characterize the south … the way we talk, racin’ cars, Confederate pride and huntin’ things most northern folks would never dare to eat. But in the fall from Auburn to Bama, from the Dawgs to the Horns, from the Vols to the Noles, nothing ruled like football.
Now to be perfectly clear, I grew up on the western edge of the south deep in the heart of Texas. And because of that fact early on in life I became privy to a few facts about God that the rest of you folk probably aren’t so clear about. First of all it should come as no surprise to learn that God is Southern. Furthermore it should be fully known that the first mammal created was a longhorn and the reason that Texas stadium has a hole in the roof was to honor God’s request to watch the games.
Around age three I could give you the hook ‘em horns sign. Around age four, I learned to cover my heart when Tom Landry spoke. Thanksgiving Day? That was the national holiday created so that families could watch the Cowboys together.
Now that we’re all on the same page as to where God is coming from, I find it a little curious to watch all of you Nebraskans gathered here waiting for me to shut up so that you can watch some team led by a quarterback going by the name of Lord. In a state where they wear an “N” on the helmet to stand for Knowledge, it is unlikely that there is much help coming from upstairs.
But that being said, I have to think there is something the real Lord admires about you and the hoard of Husker fans around the nation. He must love your commitment, your enthusiasm, your desire to show the colors of your team.
And he must long for equal time. Equal enthusiasm. Equal commitment.
Enjoy the game. May the Lord of Nebraska rule tonight. And, may the Lord of Heaven rule in your hearts every day. Even though he is Southern.