Ah, football season- the best time of the year!

The smell of greasy food, team colors scattering the streets, and the sound of roaring voices fill our hearts with joy and anticipation. There’s no denying the energy that surrounds this sport. Along with this energy and excitement also comes something special- a bond.

A bond that is not judgmental or wavering. This bond connects complete strangers to each other. We see this when someone walking down the street notices a random person in a Georgia Bulldogs shirt and, regardless of being strangers, the two high five and comment “hey go dawgs!” or when two strangers pass in a grocery store and, both wearing Clemson hats, make small talk over the national championship game. This is a bond that does not show preference of anything other than the team you chose to cheer for.

Your past does not matter.

Your mistakes do not matter.

Your success does not matter.

What defines this bond is the love for the game. You all celebrate the same victories and take personal offense to the crappy ref calls. Commonality is found in a desire for touchdowns and opposing team turn overs- not in the way we look, talk, or act.

Why can’t we all love each other like do we fellow sports fans? Why can’t we cheer for the success of our country like we do for the success of our favorite sports team? Rather than focus on the external appearance or status of others to make judgment calls, look at others as members of your team- united in the fact that they’re with you and we’re all wanting the same thing…a winning record.

That’s why I think this country is in desperate need for football season. We need something to bring people together. In a time where diversity seems to be ripping this country apart, we need something to unite us- not in hatred of others, but in an innocent love for the game.