If you go to OSU, the only red that counts is SCARLET.
On Saturday afternoon we joined our closest 105,000 “friends” and went to a Ohio State football game. The game was in Ohio Stadium, aka The Shoe, which is on the National Registry of Historic Places. It is located on The Ohio State University main campus, which is in Columbus, OH.
The Shoe was packed.
After exiting from the highway, getting to our parking place, which was beside The Shoe, was an adventure in dodging drunk psyched fans, driving hither & yon on surface streets– and highlighted by a bomb squad checkpoint.
We passed.
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Gray, however, is GRAY regardless of your OSU allegiance.
Then getting to our seats on a box level, accessible via huge dual-door elevators, turned into a lark. Fortunately the arena’s staff kept us laughing all along the way, as we two confused outsiders tried to find our box.
Very pleasant people.
The OSU marching band, aka The Best Damn Band in the Land, did script Ohio, which I maintain is the real reason anyone goes to these football games. And the home team won. So all was good.
Yay football.
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Here’s my takeaway:
Every person who attended this event, except us, was wearing team colors, scarlet & gray. I MEAN EVERYONE. And though no one dissed us for not having any team merchandise on our bodies, I felt odd about it.
I’m not one to wear showy clothes, nor have I ever felt comfortable in team apparel, so despite wanting to be part of the group, I couldn’t bring myself to spend monies on any of the over-priced shirts, hats, shorts, sweatshirts, scarves, et cetera, that were available for purchase.
This wasn’t a problem, but it’s an observation that marketing has taken over the game. Meaning that looking the part of a fan is now as important as, if not more important than, being a fan.
This reality made for a visually weird overly enthusiastic-looking crowd of people wearing, what they hoped was scarlet but in actuality was multiple shades of red, emblazoned with the iconic Block O.
Fans? Perhaps. Followers? Definitely.
~ ~ • ~ ~
THE SPECTACLED BEAN 
Very cool that you guys got to go to a game. Even when I attended Ohio State, I only went to a handful of games. The band was always the best part. They really are “the best dam band in the land”. Glad they won, too!
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Beth, it was an event, ‘ya know? The game wasn’t close, but the atmosphere was something else indeed. And the crowd was crazy happy about that band. It was amazing.
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The only time I’ve ever enjoyed football was when I was a student. I didn’t totally understand the game and my friends gave me a hard time for yelling “Squish ’em!” But it was fun. I’m glad you had a good time!
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Zazzy, I sort of know the rules of the game! I figure any of these sporting events are really just an opportunity to socialize and to people watch, so I like going. This game, however, being at OSU was a big deal from start to finish. Fun, but. oh. so. red.
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Football fans can be nuts. We have a group of Penn Staters in our family. They tailgate at the games (season tickets you know!) like it was a 5 star restaurant (steaks and lobster). As for the clothing, reminds me of yoga pants. What % of the people who wear them actually do yoga? I’m guessing it’s a low %. Hope the food was good. Usually the boxes have better food options.
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Kate, wowza! That’s really fine dining for a tailgate party. You’ve got classy relatives.
I think that you’re onto something with the yoga pants comparison. I got the impression that many of the people watching the game were more into expressing their personal style than paying attention to the game.
And, yes– the food in the box was basic, but delicious. Plus those comfy seats in the box made everything taste better.
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I attended a football game in a box once. Now I won’t even consider going unless someone can get me in a box. I can never go back to backless bleacher seats.
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I know what you mean, Kate. I have no problem aging gracefully as long as I can find a nice place to seat!
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I will DEFEND TO THE END my right to wear yoga pants, with or without the downward dog!
Unless those yoga pants hafta be in branded sports-team colors. Then I might just go with a pair of those sweatpants that come with handprints stenciled on the behind.
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Alice, please feel free to wear whatever pants you deem appropriate. However, if you ever attend an OSU football game I’d suggest that red ones would be a good choice. Never seen so much red in one place in my life…
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Red. So noted.
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When my husband and sons go to the Browns games, they’re all decked out too. I cringe when I look at them, because there’s no way I’d ever don a football Jersey. I don’t go to football games, but I do enjoying seeing a Cavs game now and then. Mostly for the beer and popcorn. But I still don’t wear color-appropriate clothing. Ever the rebel I am.
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Carrie, Zen-Den & I were dressed business casual because this was a business event. However, the rest of the people in the box had on OSU attire in all its scarlet glory. Gotta admit that it did make me cringe, but they were happy. So there you go!
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I actually admire people who go out all like that. I’m too reserved and introverted to do it myself. I’m a bit envious of those who can!
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Never thought of it like that. I only wear team apparel if it’s an accessory like a scarf or a hat. Understated, you know?
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The marketing makes you think you have to wear team gear to be a fan–SO TRUE! If I don’t wear Seahawks gear on Blue Friday, I feel guilty. People may blame me if they lose. However, I didn’t wear any stuff last Friday and they won, so maybe that’s what I need to do every time. 🙂
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Margaret, you’re right. That’s exactly what the marketing does. It seems like you should buy a shirt to show your support, but as we have proved– you can still be a fan without wearing a single item of team clothing.
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Funny – a fellow I work with was at the game and knew where we would be. He told me today “I thought I saw you but wasn’t sure because the person was wearing blue.” To be so distinctive. Still, what an event an OSU game is, especially TBDBITL.
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Z-D, that’s funny. He saw you, but couldn’t believe it was actually you because you didn’t have on clothing he thought you’d have on. Okay then. Agree about the band. It’s the best.
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I don’t own a single team licensed piece of clothing, not even a team ballcap. The teams make enough off of me as it is. Some of the colleges (I’d imagine THE Ohio State University is one of them) rake in more off marketing merchandise than some of the pro teams do…
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evilsquirrel13, I have no doubt that THE Ohio State University makes gazillions of dollars off the merchandise they sell. It is ubiquitous in this state. And can be as tasteful as a stylish wool sweater with embroidered logo OR as tacky as a over-sized jersey in shiny, slippery fabric. Be that as it may, it’s not my style to wear clothing like that.
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