George Ferguson Column: Football players don't quit, and the fans shouldn't either

No one likes a quitter. Fans don’t like to see their sports heroes give up — ever.

But, at times, fans should be held to the same standard. Giving up on your team, no matter how sad, mad, frustrated or angry you might be, is not being a true fan.

My hope is the fans of the Montana State University-Northern Lights remains true to the Lights. Because one thing is certain, the Lights aren’t quitting. They didn’t quit at any point in Saturday’s loss to the College of Idaho Yotes, and they won’t give up over the next five games either.

No, if you were paying attention Saturday at Blue Pony Stadium, you saw the Lights have a lot of fight in them. The Lights have a lot of pride, and while they’re record isn’t what any football player hopes for when they put on the pads and helmet, they aren’t going to stop trying to put that W in the left-hand column.

And because of that, the fans shouldn’t quit watching these guys try to get that win either.

Case in point, the Montana Grizzlies’ disappointing loss to Weber State Saturday. It was a major setback for a Griz’ team that’s already been struggling for the better part of a month now, and to Griz Nation, the loss was simply unacceptable.

But, what’s also unacceptable is a fan base being so unreasonable, so annoying and whiny that one loss, and you hear things like “I’m giving my season tickets up next year,” or “The coach should be fired,” even though he’s only been around for five games. Those were the reactions, and many were much worse after the Grizzlies lost to the Wildcats Saturday afternoon.

Some reactions, or as I see it, overreactions were so stupid and so off the wall, that I consider myself less intelligent for having read and heard them late last night.

Now, before I say this, keep in mind, I’m as big a Griz fan as there is out there. I’m a proud UM alumn. And I’ve been riding the fun times in Griz Nation for a lot of years now. But I’m going to say it anyway.

Please, Northern football fans, don’t be like Griz fans. Don’t act like they do. Yes, losing is hard, I fully get that. But at the end of the day, it’s much, much harder on the players and coaches than it will ever be for those of us who do nothing more than sit in the stands, or write stories about the games.

In other words, don’t give up on the Lights, because the Lights sure as hell aren’t giving up on themselves. Just watch how spoiled Griz fans are. They are 3-2, and are still 2-1 in the Big Sky Conference, and when they play Oct. 24 against North Dakota in Missoula, it will be the worst attended game of the season — simply because fans are mad that they dare lose a single football game.

So again Lights fans, don’t be like them. Instead, show just how much pride you have in Northern football. And the best way to do that is to pack the stands and the parking tiers for the next home game, which is Oct. 24 when the Lights play Eastern Oregon.

By showing up, and pulling for the Lights, that’s the very best way to show that Northern Nation is proud and strong. And, above else, the Lights deserve that support — no matter the record, no matter the score.

Again Northern Nation, just don’t be like Griz Nation is being right now.