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Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Replies: 52
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Aug 31, 2024, 8:47 PM
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But man, I just lost that "feeling" I used to have watching college football.
Usually before the games and during the first few possessions I am seemingly just as nervous as the players. But today a profound sense of peace and acceptance came over me when I woke up this morning. The acceptance that my joy is in no way, shape, or form tied to the result of a game played by college kids. But to my relationship with my family and to the purpose that my occupation gives me (I'm a therapist at an inpatient rehabilitation center for substance use disorders).
Yes, of course, I would have been excited with a win. But for the very first time in my life I was completely unaffected by the game's result and even shared a few laughs with my dad as Georgia built their lead. That is UNHEARD OF given our unhealthy obsession with Clemson football over the years.
Just got back home from taking my son to the park and going out to eat. Turned the TV back on to catch some of the Notre Dame - Texas A&M game with zero concern whether analysts bring up the result of our game.
There's a quote that essentially says, "Men who lack purpose seek pleasure." I think that is the crux of the issue for many on this board. Their lives are so destitute of purpose that they have to live vicariously through the pleasure of Clemson sports.
Anyway, I'll stop rambling. Just wanted to take the time to reflect on this new perspective that has suddenly (and unexpectedly) developed within me. Happy to be here and can't wait to take my son to his VERY FIRST Clemson football game next week. Go Tigers and God bless.
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CU Guru [1523]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:00 PM
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Well said.
Viktor E. Frankl said, "When a person can't find a deep sense of meaning, they distract themselves with pleasure".
Give back, or life will stop giving.
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:08 PM
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Great quote! In recovery circles we often say, "you get what you have to offer." People can interpret that as they wish 😎
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Campus Hero [13372]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Joined: 2001
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:12 PM
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I'll add, for me personally, one of the few benefits (maybe the only benefit) of what a cesspool "college" football has become is it doesn't make me care as much as it used to when things like today happen. I mean it stinks. But I'm over it much more quickly simply because I'm so down on the sport.
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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I think that has a lot to do with it
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:25 PM
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I was watching Kirby today acting like a complete psychopath to his players when they were up 34-3 with us driving down the field for our potential first TD.
Then I considered their program. Deaths, arrests, nobody actually graduating. Kirby is legitimately a 50-ish year old man making millions to scream at teenagers to dominate other teenagers.
If Clemson had to model Georgia's program to win more titles, would we TRULY want that? Yes, I know, titles are fun. But what makes our national championships so special is that we won them the "right way" against ALL odds.
I don't know, I'm not trying to be all philosophical and enlightened. Today was just a strange experience for me seeing things for what they actually are in this new landscape of commercialized college sports.
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Scout Team [87]
TigerPulse: 90%
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Re: I think that has a lot to do with it
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Sep 1, 2024, 12:44 AM
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“If Clemson had to model Georgia's program to win more titles, would we TRULY want that?”
I’d rather win than get blown out and make a sanctimonious “we’re better than you as humans because we do thing the “right” way” posts
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: I think that has a lot to do with it
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Sep 1, 2024, 7:54 AM
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Thanks for replying, my friend. I certainly don't feel that Clemson is better than anybody or any program, but man, there has to be a better way to win at the highest level than what Georgia has displayed these past few seasons. Again, no judgment. Just not something that I could take pride in personally.
I'm hopeful that Clemson was the model for that sort of program from 2011-2020. We still are, but unfortunately the results on the field aren't what we want them to be. Dabo included, I'm sure.
I will be supporting Clemson through thick and thin this season and do my best to also be a model of "what's right."
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Orange Blooded [2176]
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Gridiron Giant [16097]
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Accepting the death of our program can bring peace***
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:13 PM
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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My brother, your hyperbole alludes to a deep sense of pain
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:19 PM
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Why are you so emotionally invested in the result of today's game?
I have nothing but gratitude for the memories that Dabo and Clemson football have provided for me and my family. If we continue to regress then I expect the University will make changes.
Or they wont. Either way, it doesn't really affect me, my finances, or my family.
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Asst Coach [858]
TigerPulse: 65%
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CU Medallion [20701]
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:17 PM
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Life beyond college football; what a concept…
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Joy outside of teenagers hitting other teenagers?
Aug 31, 2024, 9:26 PM
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Mind = blown
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Recruit [69]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Beautiful
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:23 PM
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Well said. Thanks for sharing. I appreciate your perspective
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Awesome!
Aug 31, 2024, 9:27 PM
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Glad you could glean something from my nonsensical introspection 😎
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All-In [10861]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Im 39
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:29 PM
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And have 4 kids, and feel similarly. I think the fact we’ve seen something we never expected to see during the championship runs helps. I used to get dressed head to toe every game day, collared shirt, tucked in, fancy Clemson belt and Clemson shoes every game day. It was always an event. I’ve seen the worst and experienced the best, I am good. I tried it again today for the first time in 4 years. I forced it and didn’t really matter. I enjoy a comfy Clemson shirt and basketball shorts and can drink some beers and not have my week ruined by a loss now. I think it helps we’ve seen the best, as I never expected to see that in my lifetime. Too many more important things in life. Great job on your recovery, the glory years so to speak were when I was in the thick of mine. 12 years clean now. Perspective what it’s all about.
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Thanks for sharing your testimony
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:39 PM
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I'm 5 years in recovery from a 14-year battle with heroin and fentanyl. I'm sure that has altered my perspective a bit as well, ha! So glad to be here.
You're absolutely right. As someone who was born in 1990 I NEVER could have imagined witnessing our run from 2011-2020. Beyond grateful to have been able to share those memories with my father as he turns 70 years young this year.
I'm in agreement with many on this board regarding their frustrations with the current program, but it does me nor others any good to incessantly gripe about it. I'm going to enjoy every moment of this season, good or bad. These young men deserve our support because they represent our University. Period. For me, that comes with zero strings attached. They chose Clemson so I have chosen to support them to the best of my ability.
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All-In [10861]
TigerPulse: 100%
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10 year heroin battle myself
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:41 PM
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Keep fighting, every day is better than the next.
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Great job!
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:42 PM
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So freaking proud of you. I work at an inpatient residential facility in SC. If you ever need to work your program and pay it forward to the next suffering addict, please keep me in my mind. Will always make myself available to be of service to others.
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All-In [10861]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Feel free to tmail me anytime
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:46 PM
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I don’t preach to people because I know the person has to make the choice, but I love sharing what can be. My journey is a wild one and shows anything is possible. I will talk to and help anyone.
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Absolutely. Can only help those who are willing to help themselves
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:47 PM
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I just followed you. I think lol. Fairly illiterate when it comes to the TNETS. You going to the App St game?
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All-In [10861]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Absolutely. Can only help those who are willing to help themselves
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Aug 31, 2024, 10:04 PM
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Dabo has a quote that I think about every day and is a big reason why I will never stop supporting him “there are people that wake up every single day that are facing 4th and 16… if we can help them get a first down they got a chance to be successful “ ❤️❤️❤️❤️
I will follow that man anywhere no matter what happens.
https://youtu.be/KPciYqoHZqA?si=3nDMAlHQ7iWQ39Ss
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All-In [10861]
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Re: Absolutely. Can only help those who are willing to help themselves
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Aug 31, 2024, 10:05 PM
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I watch that once a week and it motivates me and fills my heart.
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All-In [10861]
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Valley Protector [1401]
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: 5 years is impressive, #### 1 year is****
Aug 31, 2024, 11:02 PM
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Thanks, my friend!
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Game Changer [1610]
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Re: Thanks for sharing your testimony
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Sep 1, 2024, 1:13 AM
[ in reply to Thanks for sharing your testimony ] |
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A great friend of mine and ex girlfriend, amazing person, she had a battle with heroin, was clean when we were friends, but she relapsed during Covid, was out and desperate one weekend, so rode with a stranger to get her fix, ended up getting a bad batch laced with Fent. Long story short nobody heard from her and she didn’t log onto work. They found her face down on her knees in the doorway from her bedroom and living room 8 hours too late 
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: Thanks for sharing your testimony
Sep 1, 2024, 7:25 AM
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It's a truly a nasty and despicable disease. Have lost an untold number of family members, friends, and residents. Those of us still breathing make it a part of our program to represent those who are no longer able to represent themselves.
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110%er [3655]
TigerPulse: 100%
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:35 PM
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Welcome to parenthood! This is life's way of preparing you for the Saturdays when you have tee ball or soccer or swim meets and will see only a few random moments of various football games on your phone.
Your own child should come first. My bagger at the grocery store this morning said her family is UGA fans and her dad said he would send her sister to pick her up after they both got off work because he wasn't missing any of the game. I told her Clemson parents would pick up their daughters.
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Ha! I love it!
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Aug 31, 2024, 9:44 PM
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Will you be at the game next Saturday? Will be my son's first ever Clemson game 😎
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Team Captain [481]
TigerPulse: 97%
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Sep 1, 2024, 12:34 AM
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I myself am in recovery and have a 2 y/o and another on the way. It’s amazing how much healthier my mindset feels towards sports in general nowadays. I still care a lot, I’d say I’m a passionate fan, but I don’t live and die by the results on the field.It’s incredible how different Saturdays in the fall are when you remove the alcohol component and add in the fact that my boy wants to go to the park and hit wiffleballs weather we win 56-7 or lose 34-3…
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
Sep 1, 2024, 7:26 AM
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Congratulations! So proud of you. Seeing life through the eyes of a child truly brings you back to the basics and what is actually important..
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Rival Killer [3049]
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Sep 1, 2024, 7:30 AM
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Post of the month in my opinion
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
Sep 1, 2024, 7:32 AM
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Aw man, thanks for the kind words brother. Just felt compelled to share this amongst all the chaos and negativity, both in the real world and on the TNETS.
Hope you have a wonderful day.
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Game Day Hero [4373]
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
Sep 1, 2024, 7:32 AM
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The apathy comes from the fact that we just aren’t that good. I guarantee you UGA and bama fans are just as passionate as always. There simply just isn’t anything to look forward to with this team
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Game Day Hero [4170]
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Sep 1, 2024, 7:42 AM
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I can understand how you may think that, but my feeling is much less apathy and much more gratitude and perspective. Clemson football has given me SO much joy throughout my life. Who the heck am I to be a prisoner of the moment and feel entitled to ANYTHING, much less the result of a game played by other people.
I will be supporting the team with the same enthusiasm this season regardless of the results on the field. They represent my alma mater and that is enough in and of itself. If coaching changes need to be made then I trust they will be made. I can't allow that to affect my principles or what I feel is right, which is supporting this football team.
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Rival Killer [3049]
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Sep 1, 2024, 7:37 AM
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I am an old guy who has seen a lot of life and the wisdom and humanity in this string makes me proud of y’all and happy to know there are such good folks out there
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Oculus Spirit [43277]
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Best post I have read in a while.***
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Sep 1, 2024, 7:40 AM
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Game Day Hero [4170]
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Re: Best post I have read in a while.***
Sep 1, 2024, 7:43 AM
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Thanks, my friend. Life is much too short and precious to live in anger.
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All-Conference [431]
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Sep 1, 2024, 7:53 AM
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Yep. Same for me. Actually it was having kids and getting off social media. I used to bicker with #### fans til I was blue in the face. And one texted me last night saying I was 0-1. I said nope, I’m not. Clemson is.
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Game Day Hero [4170]
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
Sep 1, 2024, 7:59 AM
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Haha outside of ribbing amongst friends, it is hard to imagine someone taking the time out of their day to send a text like that. Congratulations on parenthood and your wise life decision to remove yourself from negativity!
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Team Captain [481]
TigerPulse: 97%
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Sep 1, 2024, 5:24 PM
[ in reply to Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father ] |
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I used to be on Twitter/X reading all the comments and tweets from media people and national fans about Clemson and it ate at me to see the vitriol and hate about my alma mater.. I deleted Twitter a while back and Saturdays are so much more peaceful now that I’m not reading random idiot fans’ opinions of my football team.
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
Sep 1, 2024, 6:44 PM
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It's all just a giant industry at this point. Objectivity doesn't get clicks or generate revenue. They hate to love you when you're up, and they love to hate you when you're down.
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Top TigerNet [31543]
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Sep 1, 2024, 7:55 AM
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Sounds to me like you got your priorities in the correct order. Treasure those moments with your son. It goes by quick, trust me.
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
Sep 1, 2024, 8:00 AM
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I'm doing my best to make improvements, so I appreciate those kind words. Will you be at the App St. game?
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National Champion [7392]
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Sep 1, 2024, 8:18 AM
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Thanks for sharing your story. Having a healthy perspective is important. My wife and I talk about this a lot.
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
Sep 1, 2024, 8:21 AM
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Unfortunately it only comes with adversity and life challenges, ha! But very grateful for those opportunities.
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Athletic Dir [1136]
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
Sep 1, 2024, 6:48 PM
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We Suck. Whatever we need to say and do to feel better is what we do.
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Game Day Hero [4170]
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
Sep 1, 2024, 6:57 PM
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I'm in full agreement that we are capable of playing MUCH better, but the only thing I can do as a fan is continue to support my University and those who represent it.
I trust Dabo to continue to make the necessary changes. If not, his own job will be one of those necessary changes. Just the way of the world and the nature of college football.
To say we suck is clearly hyperbolic, and I would encourage you to do some self-reflection as to why you're having such a visceral reaction to the results of a sporting event. Hope the rest of your day improves, my friend.
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Legend [6954]
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It is not the same game anymore. Or players.
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Sep 1, 2024, 6:53 PM
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There is a much better chance of these boys driving a Lambo as a player while we dish out our hard earned money and can’t even get parking on campus anymore. IPTAY prices will go up soon so get ready for that.
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Game Day Hero [4170]
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Re: It is not the same game anymore. Or players.
Sep 1, 2024, 7:00 PM
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Agreed. Dabo said it's all on him, which is ultimately true. But I think you're going to start seeing coaches "blame" the players increasingly more considering they are now amateur professionals getting paid. With money comes increased accountability for the results that follow.
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110%er [6938]
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
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Sep 1, 2024, 6:54 PM
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Good grief, you're growing up!
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Game Day Hero [4170]
TigerPulse: 99%
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Re: Maybe it's my age, maybe it's because I'm a new father
Sep 1, 2024, 8:13 PM
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I figured 33 was a good time to start acting like an adult.
Unfortunately my acting skills are often poor 🤣
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Replies: 52
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