Planting The Flag

I was there. Colin was sitting right next to me. September 18, 2005. Michigan State comes to South Bend and shows Charlie Weis why emotion is such an important part of college football, to the tune of a 44-41 OT loss. That game was brutal, and the flag planting at the end of the game was absolutely classless. Michigan State players, fans and its coach John L. Smith should be embarrassed by such a poor display of sportsmanship. Why a gang of ND players didn't pound them is beyond me.

I have heard excuse after excuse since that day from Sparty. First, that these were younger players who didn't know any better. WRONG! Seniors and a co-captain were a part of this event. How about MSU was ticked that ND didn't give up the megaphone trophy awarded to the winner each year. WRONG! The award is never given out at the game, and the flag planting occurred the second the game ended.
How about payback for ND doing the same thing the previous year. WRONG! This was never even suggested in articles and blogs after the 2004 game or any other game in the past. Finally, surely John L. Smith would never condone such behavior. WRONG! An on-camera interview during the game had this gem regarding his feelings about the flag, "My boys didn't know where the 50 yard line was. That's what really bothered me!" What a total a-hole!!! I almost broke my TV when Brent laughed at the comment. Muskberger needs to be shot.

The other issue is that of motivation. Both teams denied that the event provided any motivation to the other team. MSU attempted to deflect the flag incident by claiming Weis stated that he would never lose to Michigan State again. Did Weis say it? I don't know, but I'd be willing to wager a few hundred that he did. So what. Promising your boosters that you'll do well? What a big slight against poor, disrespected Sparty! John L. said the flag incident was not in his teams mind. Weis refused to admit it was motivation.

However, after our remarkable comeback victory, 3 things became clear:

• First, Weis now understands the power of emotion with his team. The Michigan game last week finally drilled home that lesson to Charlie. Never again will we go into a game with the cold, business-as-usual attitude of the NFL. Weis obviously used the flag-planting as a motivational tool, although he will never admit it to outsiders.
• Second, Weis is all class. After our emotional victory, our players and coaches walked right to our fan section and sang the Alma Mater. No flag plantings or showboating of any kind.
  
• Third, John L. Smith has zero class and and his players reflect that. After the game, three of his players immediately stood at the 50 yard-line standing guard against a possible Irish flag planting. What does this tell me? That Smith actually had a gameplan for losing. That he absolutely used the flag planting as motivation.

In summary, John L. Smith has no class, is a liar, and is a terrible coach to boot! Sparty will collapse again this season after losing their "Super Bowl," and Smith will get the pink slip he so much deserves. What a great victory. This picture circulating the web summarizes my entire argument. CLASSIC!