I'm going to miss the first and second Clemson games this year. The first for work commitments and the second for Lovey and my annual trip to the Knoxville side of Tennessee. It's always so hot the first games that I rarely see the whole thing. In recent years, I've taken a book with me so when I get overheated at least I have something to do while I sit under the stands to cool down.
Then today, I read this. It's stolen from Mickey Plyler's blog:
"We started the Tiger Walk two years ago and I try not to miss this new tradition. I have to admit it is now my second favorite Clemson tradition (Howard’s Rock and the Hill are first). I can’t wait to see the team get off of those buses and greet the fans for the first time. Dabo created a sense of unity with this new Tiger tradition. If you have not seen this, try to get there about two and a half hours in advance to get your orange blood pumping.
And most importantly I get another chance to see the Tigers run down the hill Saturday. I wrote this in a blog last year about the greatest Clemson tradition, Howard’s Rock and the hill:
This is really what gets most of us going. This makes the hair stand up on your arms. This is the adrenaline pumping. This is what Clemson football is all about.
The way I see it, I am about half way through a normal life expectancy for a male. If I am lucky enough to live another 40 years and if Clemson plays seven home games a year, then I get to see this about 280 more times. Therefore, I cherish every time I get to witness.
The anticipation of seeing the video of the buses starting their journey is the first step. This is when your heart is not only a supplier of blood throughout your body, it now provides the bass beat and your chest starts to feel the energy.
Then you actually see the buses come around the corner and you start to see fans at the top of the hill get excited.
One of the most unique feelings I have ever had is the one I get every time I see the first Clemson player emerge at the top of the hill. By this point, my heart rate is between 150-190.
This is when noise becomes a feeling.
How about the first note of the Orange Bowl March? Does any single note of any song strike that kind of emotion?
Then the band makes its way towards the hill and the energy is climbs even higher.
The cannon sounds. Tigers pour down The Hill into Death Valley. Fans spell out C-L-E-M-S-O-N the loudest they do all day.
I get to see this again Saturday. Yes, I feel so blessed."
And now, I'm sad. Because it is an awesome sight. There is an incredible energy to be surrounded by so many other Solid Orange fans. Lord willing (and I don't fire anyone) I'll be there in October when the leaves begin to turn, the air is crisp and the sky is a beautiful, deep blue. Go Tigers! I'll be there in spirit.
