Undercover Michigander's Columbus experience changes slightly after car is victimized
I was ready to give Buckeye fans all the credit in the world for a good experience in Columbus this weekend.
I didn’t get a speeding ticket, I didn’t see anyone get in any physical confrontations with their Wolverine fan counterparts and most Michigan fans I spoke to said they actually had a good experience coming down to Ohio, despite the oppressive 65 miles-per-hour speed limit and cell phone coverage that reminds one of a third-world country.
Then I saw it. While giving my car the once over after returning to the Neil Avenue parking garage on Ohio State’s campus after the game, I spotted a dent on the hood. This observation came literally seconds after I sent out a tweet stating the scene after the game was just as non-confrontational as the pregame festivities.
This dent in the hood of my car was the only piece of damage resulting from my weekend in Columbus.
Kyle Feldscher | AnnArbor.com
My spirits were crushed. I can’t be positive, but it looked like some overzealous Buckeye took a key and jabbed the hood of the car with all the adrenaline they could muster. Despite my Michigan State University gear sitting in the back window, I was still a victim.
And, it turns out, I’m not the only one.
I wasn’t down on the field as the game ended, but my camera-wielding AnnArbor.com colleague Daniel Brenner told me some of the Ohio State students who rushed the field following the final whistle were intent on mixing it up with some of the Michigan players.
A lot of words I can’t write in this column were thrown at those in maize and blue gear down on the field and, as I could see from the safety of the press box, there were some brave (read: drunk) souls in scarlet who actually tried to physically confront Taylor Lewan and J.T. Floyd as they left the field. It’s never a good idea to confront a football player, even less so when they’re in pads and helmets and were just beaten by their arch-rival. Luckily for those fans, Floyd and Lewan resisted the urge to take their frustrations out on those foolish souls.
Walking around the concourse of Ohio Stadium after the game, there was an almost active indifference to Michigan fans as they walked out. Only once did I hear some abrasive Buckeyes start lobbing F-bombs and other unpleasantries at Michigan fans, who surely just wanted to get home.
Other Michigan fans told me they had a slightly less pleasant experience. Adam White sent me a tweet just after 5 p.m. Saturday saying he watched a man in Buckeyes gear "lower a shoulder" into a woman in Michigan colors outside the stadium. Josh Rice said later on that night he’d never been called so many homosexual slurs in his life as he was Saturday (Warning: that link has some explicit language).
@kfeldscheraacom Not quite the same experience here. Saw a male Buckeye fan lower a shoulder on a female in maize & blue. Classless
— Adam White (@Adam6713) November 24, 2012
Probably the most intense one-on-several heckling I saw came later on during the night — and had nothing to do with The Game.
I was at R Bar watching the end of the Notre Dame-University of Southern California game with a few friends and, as the Irish wrapped up the game and a berth in the BCS National Championship Game, the few Irish fans in the bar started to go nuts. One Buckeye fan, who probably doesn’t remember doing this at all, refused to allow them a quiet moment of enjoyment.
“Sec-ond best! Sec-ond best!” he chanted, over and over. He was presumably referring to the fact he believes the 12-0 Buckeyes are a better team than the Irish and the fact the Buckeyes weren’t going to be playing in the Big Ten Championship Game or a bowl game (because of the Tattoogate sanctions) and wouldn’t be able to prove their dominance. To their credit, the Irish fans ignored him. That didn’t mean he was going to stop.
As I left and headed back to the hotel, he was still heckling them about not playing in a conference championship game (the irony was apparently lost on him) and being second best to the Buckeyes, who spent most of the game Saturday actively trying to lose to the Wolverines.
It was the type of football intelligence I expected from Buckeyes fans after watching more than 105,000 of them give disgraced former coach Jim Tressel a standing ovation while he was carried off on the shoulders of his former players during the first quarter of Saturday’s game.
I had been impressed. A lot of my friends and family literally feared for my life when I told them I was going down to Columbus this weekend. I rarely saw anyone in red get in the face of any Michigan fans and never worried about my own safety. While the dent on the car’s hood was a disappointment, it wasn’t exactly the end of the world.
But, it seems as if Columbus is just like anywhere else: Most everyone is fine but there are some idiots. Perhaps, at this point, the city’s reputation is so poisoned among Michigan fans that most just stay away instead of taking the risk of attending the game.
Regardless, there’s no feeling like going north and finally seeing that “Welcome to Pure Michigan” sign. And then pressing down on the gas pedal and going 80 with barely any fear of being punished.
There’s no place like home.
Kyle Feldscher covers cops and courts for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at kylefeldscher@annarbor.com or you can follow him on Twitter.
Comments
Skyjockey43
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 11:12 p.m.
So sad that will all the ills of the world currently that people would resort to such obnoxious behavior over a football rivalry. There are people in other countries right now that would like nothing better than to kill every one of us for no other reason than we don't agree with their religious or political views, and meanwhile back on the homefront we have people willing to do wrong to their fellow countrymen simply because they root for a different college football team. Seriously makes me want to cry sometimes
garyrj
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 9:46 p.m.
My 62 year old wife was intentionly kicked in the shoulder as we were leaving by a young buckeye. F bombs from behind us. Total classless from and to our car. But I did get a "osu Best Fans in the Land" pin, so maybe I should have allowed the guy to kick my wife twice. Kyle, I have been to the slipper every other year since the earlly 80s, and things never seem to change. I will be taking 2 body guards with me in 2014. Looking for volunteers. I will use 3 seats for two big guys.
Mike
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 6:16 p.m.
Sure every fan base has it's idiots but the Buckeyes have more than most, check the rudeness poll and how The Buckeyes win easily: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/ncaa/specials/fansurvey/2009/big10.html
TW
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:45 p.m.
I have been going to this game every year since 1994 with a best friend, who is a Michigan fan (me an OSU). It is always unfortunate that a few bad fans ruin the experience on both side of the boarder. I've witnessed both…OSU fans and Michigan fans acting bad. One year, we decided to take our wives with us to AA in a 1990s outing, where of course, Michigan yet again dashed the dreams of OSU. We could only get tickets at the edge of the student section in the Big House. We decided to leave the stadium with 2 min left to give the fans their deserved celebration and to beat the crowds…when we were both hit with half eaten hot dogs / ketchup. There were some fans who stood up for us, only to get into yelling matches between Michigan fans…but we were heckled (using some "choice" words) out of the stadium. To this day, my wife will not return. My friend and I have learned to go / dress down and be a bit more "blended in". I see/ witness many of the same issues visiting AA (and have many other examples) so I do not think it is one sided. What I hope for is that the real fans that embrace the rivalry, sportsmanship, and experience stand up for ANY indecent behavior…I know I have yelled at a few OSU fans.
justcary
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:22 p.m.
THIS is more like the Columbus experiences I've had. Acts of drive-by/walk-by vandalism. One weekend I was performing in a club down there, and spent the day between gigs washing and waxing the car. That night, dirty footprints were going up to the roof, mucus was spit at my UM decal, and presumably it was urine trickling down the back window from where the person stood on my roof. We've always understood it that there's an element of poor sports in Columbus with a lowbrow sense of humor.
Mary Beth
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.
It sounds like OSU fans are some of the worst... But UM fans can be just as bad. They might not be out there keying cars, but they tend to make very sore losers. Even when they are winning they tend to be just as obnoxious... Years ago I went to a UM/IU football game.. knowing full well my alma mater is not a football power house... yet people went out of their way to call me and my friend names, chided us when we were cheering for IU and just be rude in general. I get cheering for your team and smack talking, but there is no need for personal attacks or being rude. I could understand it more if it had been a big rivalry game but it wasn't. Thanks to that experience I have never been an UM fan and I have lived in Michigan for 14 years. I don't know how many times I have been asked "You live in Michigan AND in Ann Arbor! How can you NOT cheer for Michigan??!!" Simple I bleed Blue and Gold... and after this season and seeing how ND fans have been (I've been to 3 home games UM, Stanford, and Wake Forest) I am proud to say I am a Notre Dame fan. I'm sure there are bad fans everywhere, but I the worst I have seen tailgating at ND is Notre Dame fans drowning out an opposing teams cheers with ND cheers.
ArthGuinness
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 2:26 p.m.
"But, it seems as if Columbus is just like anywhere else: Most everyone is fine but there are some idiots." Let's be fair. This statement is true but they have a much larger proportion than we do here.
Ron
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 2:20 p.m.
Oh my, on Oct. 12th Ann Arbor has a on field "brawl" at one its own high schools!!! Kyle, you might want to spend some quality "undercover" time in your own backyard!
Paula Gardner
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 2:55 p.m.
He does that all the time. That's why we thought it would be interesting to travel to Columbus for a day. I'm the one who kept telling him nothing would happen to him or his property. Ha.
Kyle Feldscher
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 1:57 p.m.
Just a little anecdote for those claiming I'm saying Michigan fans never do anything out of order: My dad once came to eat lunch with me here in Ann Arbor and had a MSU sticker on the back of his car. When he returned after his meal, someone had written "State Sucks!" in butter on his car. I've also written before that I've never been in a more hostile atmosphere than in Ann Arbor before the 2010 Michigan State-Michigan game. You can read that right here: http://www.annarbor.com/news/top-4-pieces-of-advice-to-msu-fans-coming-to-ann-arbor-from-a-resident-spartan/ Like I said in the column, every group of fans has their idiots. I don't think the few I saw in Columbus are representative of OSU fans as a whole. And a final point: I'm not jealous that OSU beat Michigan and went undefeated. My Spartans won this weekend and actually get to play one more game. Unlike the Buckeyes.
Spike
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:47 p.m.
Nope, we're still serving our punishments. This, along with tat jokes, don't hurt me. We'll take advantage of this huge recruiting opportunity. Good luck in the bowl games.
Kyle Feldscher
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 2:42 p.m.
Definitely not the most destructive, but it does show that there are idiots here in Ann Arbor too. Also, who has butter on them in a parking garage? Just super weird, right?
ArthGuinness
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.
Butter? Doesn't seem very destructive. Also, butter?
Ron
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 1:53 p.m.
Kyle, Saying you were "undercover" while sporting MSU gear in your window and Michigan plates would be like Osama bin Laden in his regular garb walking into a full Yankee Stadium. You also stated "while walking in the concourse.....". You had to pass at least several thousand people, but yet you said, "Only once did I hear abusive...", which, is hardly statistically significant. You also said, "I rarely saw anyone in red get in the face of any Michigan fans and 'never' worried about my own safety. Your entire article is a contradiction.
Kyle Feldscher
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
Ron - It's quite literally nothing like Osama bin Laden walking into Yankee Stadium and, quite frankly, it's extremely insulting to people who that man harmed that you would make that comparison.
RunsWithScissors
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 12:19 p.m.
I don't care one way or the other about rabid fans. I just stay out of the way. But I'm totally figged off about Kyle's driving habits. You seem to treat posted speed limits as mere suggestions. And you brag about it. I'm sorry you weren't pulled over by the Michigan State Police for blazing your way back to Ann Arbor. You can complain about other people's behavior when yours is impeccable.
Kyle Feldscher
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 1:17 p.m.
I move at the speed of traffic, along with all the other drivers, RunsWithScissors. It just so happens people in Michigan tend to drive a little bit faster than many other places I've been. That's what I was taught in driver's education class.
AnnArborBuckeye
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 5:22 a.m.
Columbus has more intense fans than Ann Arbor. So it has a larger minority that get out of control. The staid Ann Arbor population just doesn't get it. Just clap politely.
Lisa
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 5:11 a.m.
I had a work college who had a small OSU sticker on his rear care window (he went there about 35 years ago and now lives here). The car got vandalized several times when he parked downtown. It wasn't during any game or during late night hours. There are idiots everywhere and it only takes a few to give everyone a bad name.
Andy Price
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 5:09 a.m.
This reminded me of the UM-MSU game a month back, when there was a lot of green and white in Ann Arbor that day, and it was so friendly. I sat at the bar next to a Spartan, and we had a blast. I talked to lots of Spartans that day, in fact. There was always a little smack talk, but with a smile. Why the nastiness, Ohio?
Spike
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 12:25 p.m.
Have you, personally, seen anything like what these people are talking about? Like I said, other than some words back and forth, I've never experienced any of it. This is like an airplane crash. Just because one crashes and is reported doesn't mean that a lot of planes crash. These comments, like plane crashes, are outliers, and there's just as many stories of poor behavior from Wolverine fans out there.
TMJ
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 3:54 a.m.
That is unfortunate that you had that experience....I have made many a visits to Columbus for football and basketball games and have yet to encounter that type of hostility! I will say last year we invited friends up for the game and I was embarrassed by how they were treated by our fans. I hate to use the word fan because they were a poor representation. Unfortunately both universities have this problem and it only takes a few idiots to ruin it for the rest!
walker101
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 3:44 a.m.
I guess now you know how people feel when you drive an import in Michigan ( outside of A2).
Ricardo Queso
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 2:59 a.m.
Looks more like a bullet hole.
Krupper1
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 2:52 a.m.
It's my understanding (from a parent of a UM Band member) that the band and the dance team were delayed leaving the stadium over an hour because security couldn't assure their safety. My friend's daughter confronted spit, vile verbiage, tossed drinks, and - had it not been for the security - who knows what potential abuse. I remember walking around Pioneer last year watching Wolverine and Buckeye fans sharing tailgates and entering into good natured bantering. . . We are far from perfect here in Ann Arbor, but I do think we don't pose a physical risk to our guest opposing teams.
average joe
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 1:48 a.m.
The most disgusting & yet revealing scene from the game was the ovation of fans that tressel received and carrying him out like he was some type of hero, when in reality he is the one most responsible that their season is over in spite of having no losses. I don't know why the OSU administration wanted him at the game, much less on campus. He has tainted their reputation, cost the University many recruits, and a very large sum of money. And yet he is their hero. Either all is forgiven, or, this past saturday they publicly stated that they believe neither he or the school did anything wrong. I just don't understand those buckeye fans..........
Spike
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.
And like I said, we understand that he did domething wrong. He's taken a lot of heat from fans, and his name doesn't carry the same connotation that it once did. We have gone through the forgiving process, and it has probably been sped up by the current standing of the program. Last year, people were much more upset with him and the players. I would say the majority of Buckeyes place the majority of the blame on the players for putting Tressel in that situation. The National Championship, which was being honored on Saturday, still stands in the record books because the Tatgate incident didn't have any effect on it. There's no reason to boo that team whatsoever. Bring in the 2010 Sugar Bowl team, and you have a different story. It was that one perfect season being honored, not Tressel's entire coaching career. I understand your argument but think you misunderstood what was being cheered for.
lindsay erin
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 2:31 p.m.
The reason OSU fans were applauding him was because he promised them free tattoos after the game.
average joe
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 11:20 a.m.
Spike- I'm not complaining about it. Also, since the game was on national TV, it isn't just U of M fans that were left scratching their heads when they seen tressel being carried like a hero. See Dan Wetzel's piece on this subject, and how this display is "a summation of what's wrong in college sports" . I see it as an statement by the fans that he & his staff did nothing wrong.
Spike
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 3:53 a.m.
If they mean nothing, why weren't they removed? Because the NCAA conducted a very extensive investigation and removed everything that was effected by the tatgate situation. Just because you don't like the guy or his school doesn't mean his accomplishments didn't happen. You can say he probably did all kinds of things, but you can say that for any program or coach. Hoke got Ball State in NCAA trouble, so he's probably still cheating, and since ge's not coming forward, he's a liar too (by your standards). Tressel made a mistake, but the punishments have been and are still being served. I don't think my vision is clouded at all because I'm over it. The guy cared about the players and winning, and he let it get the better of him. He lost his job and many others have been punished. It is what it is, and we're moving forward. You UM fans are the ones so butt hurt over it. His accomplishments do count, and he will always be remembered at OSU. We know he was part of the reason OSU got in trouble, but it's difficult to be too upset when our new head coach has us at 12-0 and on the verge of being a stronger program than under Tress. It's not about us not getting it, it's about us being over it. Some fans are experiencing the salt in the wound right now, but for the most part, UM fans are the ones disgusted, and that's because you don't get it. It's cool, keep thinking and complaining about it. We're already working on next year.
average joe
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 3:12 a.m.
Spike- All those "accomplishments" as you call them mean absolutely nothing. He cheated.
a2roots
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 2:35 a.m.
It would appear spikes vision is clouded. Yes the man had a very good record but he was a cheater and proven liar. He got caught and probably did it many times without getting caught. He also cheated at his prior school. If that is the kind of coach and person that osu fans want to put on a pedestal it says plenty about their integrity. tressel does not belong on the field regardless of past accomplishments. His entire history is now as a cheat and liar.
Spike
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 2:20 a.m.
No, you don't understand Tressel. You think you know him, but I'm doubting you even know why he isn't OSU's head coach seeing as how you say he's the reason we don't get to play in a bowl this year. 9-1 against UM, a NC ring, 3 NC appearances, 6 Big Ten Titles, and the list of accomplishments goes on. Plus, look where we are now. We had 1 down year and got a pretty good replacement coach. He would have to do a lot worse for Buckeyes to turn their backs on him.
Sees Both Sides
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 1:07 a.m.
I am from Columbus and I am a Buckeye fan which is not to be confused with a Wolverine hater. I root for Michigan to win all their games until they play the Buckeyes (I am nuetral with the M State game. I have friends from both cities). First, I apologize to those Michigan fans who have had bad experiences in Columbus. I also suggest that one should not judge all Buckeye fans by the actions of Wolverine haters (who are really in the minority) just as one should not judge Wolverine fans by the actions of Buckeye haters (one would being fibbing if one said they do not exist). Football is a game. Games are supposed to be fun and enjoyable. If we take this rivalry to the point of calling Ohio a third world country and calling Michigan whatever it is Michigan haters call the state, then we have taken the fun out of the game. At that point it is best for one to remove themselves from involvement. I speak from experience. I had to quit watching OSU games for four years to realize it was just a game and games were meant to be fun.
Dawn
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 12:53 a.m.
As an OSU fan living in Michigan and not far from Ann Arbor, I have to say there are stupid fans on BOTH sides of this rivalry. I drove down to the game in my car from Michigan with no Ohio State markings anywhere on it and parked in a lot and had NO dents or anything. I can tell you that wearing anything Ohio State in the 10 years I have lived here has been hard. I have been spit on, called some rather colorful names, and have had my OSU items destroyed and defaced at 2 places I was employed. I used to have a small OSU magnet on my car that has been removed from my car and thrown away more than I can count. I love Ohio State, but I am ALWAYS respectful. I even congratulated the UM team on playing a great game. To act like this is ONLY at Ohio State is crazy! It happens EVERYWHERE!
1bit
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 6:25 p.m.
Spike: You're arguing nonsense. The whole reason Kyle went down there is because OSU fans are absolutely famous for this kind of thing. Infamous really. The fans in Columbus are hands-down the worst in the Big Ten and that's even spotting you Notre Dame. So a reporter goes down there and sees mostly good fans and writes positive articles and then finds his car vandalized. Just random in your opinion? Maybe you're not like those in Columbus and I have good friends who are OSU fans who are otherwise great people. But I'm fairly certain that at this point that if one does a Google search for "trolling defined" your posts in this thread will be at the top of the list.
Spike
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 2:05 p.m.
The comment was more based on the assumptions of others that claim they know why their car was bumped as if it was an act of vandalism. Maybe it was, but they don't know. Maybe a Michigan fans damaged my car. I don't know that, so I don't point the finger. My wife works at the OSU hospital, and cars are broke into and damaged in the area all of the time. It wasn't a one-time occurance for a UM fan. You all just want it to be that way, so you've convinced yourself of it. You don't KNOW why his car was damaged because you weren't there. I'm not saying we're totally innocent, but you all want to point the finger. If he had MSU gear in his car that was easily visible it could've just as easily been a drunken UM fan. We don't KNOW, so we can't say. You can point the finger all you want, but the fact is you don't KNOW.
1bit
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 10:46 a.m.
Spike: You're trying hard to make the list of dumbest comments of the year. We all know why his car was vandalized. Many OSU fans are reasonable and passionate fans. There are, apparently, a number who are idiots in Columbus. You guys are renowned for it and should be better at self-policing.
Spike
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 1:03 a.m.
Funny how people think their car gets dented bc they're a UM fan in Ohio. I've never been in an accident and have a handful of dents and scratches on my car. I have OSU stickers, and all of these marks happened in Ohio. The only way you know why a dent, or even hole in the hood, happened is by knowing. Maybe a Wolverine ran a Buckeye fan into the hood of the writer's car which caused the damage. Now, I'm not dumb enough to convince myself that's true; but you can't point the finger based on assumptions.
Spike
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 12:47 a.m.
And let me reitterate the fact that I have friends that are michigan fans. We hang out and trash talk each other all of the time. We were together before the game tailgating, talking keys to the game, and having a goid time. I saw him again after the game. We high-fived and parted ways. He grew up in central Ohio and has always been heckled by OSU fans. I was told yesterday was pretty bad, but he shrugged it off and was more upset by the loss than the Buckeye fans. I know there's good and bad UM fans out there, just like there's good and bad Buckeye fans. I just think some fans are delusional in their view of their own fan base, and I hate to see that sort of delusional thinking supported by, what's supposed to be, professional writing. If you wanna trash talk then write it, but this article caught my eye because of poor writing and an obviously biased and one-sided point of view; and I think this type of thinking is what causes the unacceptable behavior at these events.
E Claire
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:03 p.m.
"You think you're better than us". Actually, I think YOU think we're better than you; hence the hatred.
Spike
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 1:55 p.m.
Then write about the entire experiences. Just because somebody damaged his car and because he saw ND fans get heckled for trying to rub salt in their wounds doesn't make this a bad experience. He even starts out saying it was going really well, so why would these two incidents represent the entire fan base? You all act like it's all of Buckeye Nation. We're a passionate fan base and have just as many idiot fans as Michigan, Alabama, USC, and every other major college fan base. His experiences seemed about 99% good, so why focus on the 1% and not give any credit to the 99%. Some of the other comments make it sound like you guys just want to hang out, watch the game, and have a good time; and that's exactly what we do in Columbus; but you all think otherwise because of something you heard. Downvote me all you want. The truth is that your fans hate ours, but the way you make it okay is to act like we're barbaric. This is why many of us see you as arrogant. You think you're better than us and try to throw Buckeye fans under the bus by focussing on the 1% of bad. I'm not trying to convince you to like us, just understand that the same things happen in Ann Arbor.
Jimmyc
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 10:48 a.m.
Spike, it's one sided because it is a column, NOT an article. It is about one man's experiences in Columbus and was not written as an unbiased news story.
a2roots
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 12:20 a.m.
Get a grip people. I rarely miss an away game and it does not matter where you go there are dumb a... everywhere. Michigan fans tend to get more crap slung at hem both verbally and otherwise on the road. The opponents fans hate losing and hate that Michigan fans represent a winning and nationally recognized program. Some places the abuse tends to be worse than others. msu and osu are by far the worst places to go for Michigan fans. Bottom line is those of us that go on the road know this and deal with it. I am quite sure we have fans here that do not treat our opponents fans nicely. I do not condone the behavior either way but it is what it is.
pseudo
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 12:01 a.m.
Kyle - I am very sad to see this. I had several "michigan" friends at this game and they did not report the same kind of experience. This is terrible and OSU should both be ashamed if its student's behavior and take far better care of its visitors.
Speedy Squirrel
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 11:46 p.m.
Perhaps it's your annoying "Leaders and the Best" song, especially when you are neither.
craigjjs
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 1:59 p.m.
As opposed to what? "Ode to a Potato"
SemperFi
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 12:57 p.m.
You're just mad because nobody knows your song.
a2roots
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 11:45 p.m.
Why was tressel allowed on the field in the first place? I have no problem with his team that won being honored but he should not be anywhere near that field. He is a known cheater and caused his school to be disgraced. I was there and was absolutely amazed at the warm reception he got. It does not matter if he did good things or not. He is a proven liar and cheater. I think the NCAA and B1G ought to look into further penalties for osu's thumbing their nose at the rules.
Jenn McKee
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:18 p.m.
The fact that Tressel was carried around on players' shoulders and met with adulation - despite the fact that the team on the field at that moment would have no post-season thanks to him - was astonishing and surprising to me. I couldn't believe my eyes. Was there any discussion in the stands about this as it was happening, Kyle? Baffling...
Daniel Soebbing
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 7:29 a.m.
I agree totally. OSU should have an additional year of sanctions tacked on for associating with that sleaze bag. Those idiots in Ohio should be booing him for violating rules and causing their program to get sanctioned. That kind of behavior should not be condoned.
Spike
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 11:33 p.m.
As I stated, if you can't handle the verbal harrassment then don't make the trip. It happens everywhere and is expected in this day and age at a rivalry game like this. Those fans want you to feel like you shouldn't be in Columbus. We take our football serious...very serious. If you can't take it, then support your team from home. The guys keying cars and using violence can't take it and shouldn't be there. Never should we fear for our lives going to a football game, but you need to understand that you have fans that do the same stuff. The way to avoid it is to not put yourself in that position. That being said, you need to get over the verbal abuse. It's the most petty thing to write about. When you try to shove your colors in somebody else's face or yell "Go Blue" at Buckeyes, you're going to get harrassed. I wonder what that UM chick did to catch a shoulder from a Buckeye. Not that he was right at all, but I'm guessing she wasn't totally innocent. I thought this site didn't allow for name-calling...? "Inbred hillbilly idiots" should be a violation. I mean, it doesn't bother me; but I just thought UM fans were always innocent and opperated by the rules.
RUKiddingMe
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 11:01 p.m.
In my experience U of M students/fans seem to be a little less maniacal and jerky about their team when NOT on gameday. All the Ohio fans I've come across are very vocal and in your face or stand offish and aloof, when drinking and not. However, ON game day I think the bad eggs are all on the same level. Walking away from the stadium after tailgating, decked out in all my U of M gear, was a very bad experience. It seems like a lot of drunk kids just looking for a fight, and if no one's sporting the opposing team's paraphernalia, anyone will do (ie. anyone walking in a different direction than themselves).
RayA2
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 11 p.m.
My father, no Wolverine fan, remembers OSU fans getting off the train drunk and abusive in Champaign, ILL in the 50's. OSU fans are and have been for a long time notorious around the country for the foul air that surrounds them . The Tressell scandal was just a symptom of their maniacal fantasy world.
Kitty O'Brien
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 10:59 p.m.
My 80+ year old neighbors haven't missed a game, home or away, in over 40 years. She said today's OSU fans aren't nearly as bad as they were 10 years ago when they were shoved and spit on. This year she got away with only being called a whore, twice. OSU fans are animals.
Spike
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 10:46 p.m.
Buckeye fan who stumbled on this article and wanted to share my thoughts and opinions. I was at the game and tailgated with a large group of Buckeyes and a few Wolverines. I saw poor behavior from both fans but nothing more than swearing and in-your-face cheering...which is pretty standard. If you can't handle the verbal aspect of this rivalry, then you have no business making the trip. Any kind of violence or damaging of property is just dumb and uncalled for, and there's no place for it. That's not how you 'win'. I am sorry that happened, but the verbal stuff, you're just whining about. Both sides are guilty of the same things, so this article just makes you guys look like you think all Wolverines are better than all Buckeyes.
Spike
Tue, Nov 27, 2012 : 4:40 p.m.
I am an adult. The situations at OSU appear in the same places at all of the colleges listed. Apparently, you've never been there; so you don't really have a word in this.
E Claire
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 7:52 p.m.
"Student" parties? Sorry, I assumed you were an adult. I've actually been to both PSU and Wisconsin. Great people and great fun. And they don't have to cheat to win. See ya next year...buddy.
Spike
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:44 p.m.
There's the Michigan way of thinking. Try going to PSU, Wisconsin, or to your own student parties. We won the game, and you're upset about it. Maybe some time down the road something will happen and the realization of it all will hit you, but until then, enjoy your ignorance buddy.
E Claire
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 3:54 p.m.
Dude you're living in a fantasy world. I've been going to games for years and have been to many other stadiums. I've never seen such low class behavior as what goes on in Columbus. It's the only place that one cannot have a fun, friendly rivalry. Both sides are not guilty; you will not get spit on, called a whore or worse, or get beer thrown at you at the Big House or anywhere else. If you do, it's a very rare occurrence. This isn't about "not being able to handle it", it's about being a decent human being. You clearly think that it's ok for a man to put a shoulder into a woman because (in your mind) she must have said or did something to deserve it! That statement alone is Pure Buckeye. Grow up already.
packman
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 10:35 p.m.
Kyle - The car was vandalized, the owner was the "victim." I don't think that inanimate objects can be "victims." On another note those "peel down" corner ads are really p.....g me off as well as other people who have commented on other blogs.
arborani
Tue, Nov 27, 2012 : 3:20 p.m.
TinyArtist: *That's* funny.
TinyArtist
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 3:12 p.m.
Be thankful you're not pushing 70. I keep getting peel-down coroner ads.
Barb's Mom
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 10:32 p.m.
Kyle, You don't think the same thing happens here after a big game? What about the young man who was beat up after the Michigan State game 2 years ago. What about the Michigan Fans who thought it was fine for the Winter Classic to be canceled "because everyone would be watching Michigan in the Rose Bowl." I am sure that there are articles like this in the Columbus newspaper after Ohio State plays in Michigan. I am not saying it is correct, but making it sound like it only happens there is just not facing the truth.
Spike
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:20 a.m.
You're so right, eagleman. The differences between the fan bases are huge. UM fans never cause issues to opposing fans, and OSU's fans are all violent. Just like UM has tons of men begging kids on Twitter and Facebook to come to their school, and OSU has none of them. We'll be violent, you guys be creepy.
eagleman
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 4:03 a.m.
What does people wanting the Winter Classic to be canceled after to do with harassing rivals fans?? That example is completely irrelevant to this subject. It wasn't right that the kid was beatup, but such incidents are few and far between up here. OSU has a well earned reputation for such antics. Ask Texas fans.
music to my ear
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 10:22 p.m.
so next year why not boycott the whole darn game we michiganders spend alot of money in their town ,for what to be treating like poo.
music to my ear
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 1:39 p.m.
ok how about 2014 thanks for the date
WalkingJoe
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 10:57 p.m.
Boycott next year's game? That's good because next year's game is here.
Davidian
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 10:10 p.m.
First, everyone knows Columbus is a hostile place. Reminds me of people that ride their bikes on incredibly busy streets. Just because it's legal doesn't make it a good idea. Second, people that get violently riled up over a game are idiots, plain and simple. Unfortunately, it is acceptable behavior in some parts of the world. How this happened I will never know.
Daniel Soebbing
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 7:24 a.m.
Part of the reason that I don't live in Michigan any more is that people have the same hostile attitude toward bicyclists that people in the city of Columbus have towards Michiganders.
nickcarraweigh
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 10:01 p.m.
Last trip I made to Ohio the weak wound up killed and eaten. Best to just fly over it.
Terry Star21
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 10:01 p.m.
Kyle; there are many of us Michigan faithful that never miss a Michigan football game. Unfortunately there are also many of us that will not ever, for any reason, venture to Columbus again for a football game. I went to games there, my last three were in the nineties and it got increasingly worse. The last time, in the mid nineties Ohio was undefeated and Michigan won. As a male, without any friends along I probably stood out 'very inviting' with my colors. I can't remember but once in my life when I was more scared (once while running, a pit bull charged me) on the 20 min. walk back to my car. I spotted a police officer and I yelled I need help. He came to me and said; 'what did you expect when you wear those colors'. In all the spit and beer and other things thrown, in all the swear words and bumps and pushes - that was the it. If I couldn't count on the law, I couldn't be safe. I checked my lights, turn single, license plate lights to make sure they were all working (the key scratch down the side of my car would survive) and drove, 50 mph toward Michigan (the USA from this third world country).
Steve
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 12:07 a.m.
music to my ears: I have had OSU people near me many times during "the Game" and to a person they have said they were treated a lot better than they ever thought they would be treated. We have always had good natured fun with them and they have thanked us for a fun time regardless of the game's outcome. The worst I have ever heard from an OSU fan is that some of the people near him pushed on him when Michigan did something good and I have never heard of vandalism of peoples cars. To OSU fans defense-I have been to the Michigan OSU indoor track duel meet in Columbus and was treated very nice by everyone we came into contact with. We even walked around campus and on High St. in our Michigan gear.
music to my ear
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 10:25 p.m.
well how do michiganders treat ohioians.does it go both ways. next time take your cousin Bubba.and if you dont have a big cuz hire one.
Kyle Feldscher
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 10:09 p.m.
Terry - The impression I got from a lot of U-M fans is that it used to be much worse. Perhaps there were spots yesterday where U-M fans were in that kind of danger and I was just in the wrong spots, but it appears the 1990s (when Michigan dominated the rivalry) was the worst time for a lot of people. I imagine this is a part of the natural ebb and flow of the rivalry - if OSU is doing well, the UM fans might be more hostile and if UM does well, the OSU fans become more hostile. With both teams doing well, everyone seemed a little more relaxed. I imagine the fact that OSU and UM didn't have a lot on the line in this particular game added to the lack of tension as well.
badgerboy
Sun, Nov 25, 2012 : 9:38 p.m.
I'd like to add a few things. I went down to the OSU game as a member of the Michigan marching band several years ago when it was #1 vs #2. A family, son father grandpa, all walked up and gave me the finger as a group. Fans tried to rush me as I was marching from the bus to the practice field and were held back by the police. A man, id guess in his 60's, stood up and threw a handfull of change into my face. After the game was over and the fans rushed the field they began to pull up their own turf. They then began to pelt us with turf, fruit, and rocks. We were told to go the bathroom in groups and not by ourselves. Our buses had to have a multi police car escort in and out of the town. I went down to OSU to visit a friend (not during football season) and my car hood was dented in by someone because I had a Michigan license plate. A friend with an EMU plate (not during football season) had their tires slashed and Michigan sucks written on the car. The hatred these people have for the state of Michigan is pathetic...
sellers
Mon, Nov 26, 2012 : 1:54 p.m.
All because Ohio got Toledo and Michigan got the upper peninsula? Wow. Shameful. Folks I've met from the Toledo area are much more friendly, must be due to proximity.