The Florida State University is a magical place, especially in the fall. It gets cooler outside, the leaves begin to change, and best of all it is football season. Being inside Doak Campbell Stadium with 80,000 of your closest friends, under the bright lights, is one of the best feelings in the world. Everyone cheering on our beloved Noles is music to my ears. This Saturday Florida State hosts Louisiana-Monroe aka the season opener. There are a few things you should know if you've never been to a Florida State game (shame on you), or better yet a game inside of Doak.
1. Once Jimbo stops talking and the players come out onto the field, before any play can begin, we need our beloved Renegade. I don't know about you but I think it's pretty cool that we actually have a live animal at every home game. Renegade and Chief Osceola will ride out to the center of the field as you make a ridiculous noise that I'm not even going to try to spell (you'll catch on) and throw those spirit fingers in the air. Once Renegade bucks up and Osceola plants the spear you make another caveman like noise, again not going to even attempt to spell it. Don't worry if you miss the noise here, just observe because the same noises and motions happen for every FSU kickoff.
2. Learn the fight song. I cannot stress this enough. The band works very hard on making this perfect for us so learn all of the words like your RA tells you to. I promise in this case they know best. Also... THERE IS NO WHAT WHAT IN THE FIGHT SONG. This will label you as a freshman and everyone will hate you.
3. Please please please use your right hand when doing the "chop." I understand your right arm will get tired throughout the game. Just workout your left arm a little extra at the gym on Monday to make up for all the chopping.
4. Go take a picture with the Garnet and Gold boys. If you do not know who they are, trust me you'll know them when you see them. But please don't take pictures and stand in everyones way when the game is happening, do it before or see if you can catch them on a timeout.
5. Cheer for the boys every chance you get. They appreciate the encouragement. If the other team is in the red-zone you better be as loud as you can be: distract the other team, and show our defense we support them. On the other hand, if we are in the red-zone just be quiet. Don't be that person that is shushing everybody else, you're just annoying and making even more noise. Just let the boys concentrate.
6. The start of the fourth quarter is a special time. As a fan you have one job. When you hear the band begin to play use that right hand again and put four fingers in the air. You will even see the players make this motion.
7. Have fun! Florida State Football games are the best experience and you'll want to go to at least one, even if you're a monster and don't appreciate some good football. Tailgate with your friends and family, and support our boys when they need us most. The more fun you have, the more fun the players will have, the more games we win.
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