1983 - I was born in Toledo, Ohio. I don't remember watching any games.
1986 - We moved to Kansas. I have piecemeal memories of KS, most of which involve sports, none of which involve college football. Jayhawks, Bo Jackson, and Dan Quisenberry were the people I remember.
1989-1995 - We moved to NYC. In NYC it all began. My dad taught me a love of college football, the Big 10 specifically. I had a Buckeyes sweatshirt and a Wolverines sweatshirt. I thought multiple times that Brutus (pictured on my chest) looked like he would attack me. The maize and blue wolverine, more deadly than a nut, looked like it would attack my enemies. Regardless, I cheered for OSU and Michigan throughout all 6 years in NYC never knowing there was a rivalry. I just liked Michigan better.
1991 - Desmond Howard won the Heisman Trophy. I think I struck the Heisman pose about 50 times within the next year. I also learned of the amazing broadcaster, Keith Jackson.
1993 - Charlie Ward, for a reason I cannot remember, captured my imagination. I still sometimes think fondly of the Seminoles, Bobby Bowden, and Charlie Ward.
1994 - I learned the agony of defeat as Kordell Stewart threw a hail mary to beat the Wolverines. I cried, and was sad throughout the rest of the week.
1995 - We moved to Ohio.
1995 - I cheered for Eddie George until the OSU Michigan game. I was in Cincinnati with my relatives and my cousins kept talking about how Michigan was going to lose. I didn't understand the hostility and felt that justice, in the name of Tim Biakabutuka, was served.
1995 - My grandfather, the best Ohio State fan that I have ever known, died.
1997 - I watched the OSU Michigan game in my house with my uncle and my dad. Charles Woodson returned a punt for a touchdown. I struck the Desmond Howard heisman pose and jumped around the living room. My uncle grabbed me and said "All year long we cheer for OSU together and are happy. Then, this one day, you cheer for Michigan. I'm sick of it. Pick one or the other." I picked Michigan. He left, and for the next few years, we did not watch an OSU Michigan game together.
2001 - My two uncles, my dad, and some other people gathered to watch the Buckeyes play the Hurricanes for the National Championship. There was an empty chair, with my grandpa’s OSU gear set up on it. A memento of bowl games gone by, when the Noonen men would gather to watch football, for love of the game.
2005 - I was in my room, watching Michigan lose to Notre Dame. My friend, a 6’3 230 pound ex football player, ridiculed me through the entire game. We then watched Texas beat Ohio State, with me ridiculing him. This was, and is, one of the most Godly men I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. For the 30 minutes after the Texas victory, we were at war. We started by almost breaking the futon. Then we moved to the common room, moved all the furniture, and had a wrestling match. This was not uncommon, but the violence with which we threw each other on the hardwood floor, made both of us realize it was not for fun. We both ended up bruised and covered in floor burns. I don’t remember who won, the real message was we both lost.
After that, I talked to Kimmy. We had a long discussion after which I decided that I loved my brothers in Christ more than I loved the Michigan Wolverines. It still makes me happy to see them win, but it does not adversely affect my relationships or my demeanor. Kids that were in 5th grade when I graduated High School will be playing in this game. I will still cheer for the Wolverines and will most likely watch the game.
As an aside, praise God that I can once again be in a place where I'm not a pariah for liking a football team. There are way more important things to be passionate about than some kids playing a game on a Saturday.
