Tell me if I am wrong!

[Turbine]

_ . . . And Grant is 100% correct. It's just a game fellas. . . .

Except he didn't say it.

I'll say it again. "All players should be ready to run through walls for their coach.

If the mentality is it's just a game they will barely run through the tunnel."

Grant runs through walls for Bustle and co.

[CajunFun]

_ First of all this is Grant Fleming #47 for the Ragin Cajuns. I do not need an alias name to hide behind. I would like to start by saying that I never said that "this is just a game" or even knew cjr3888 was yelling at Bernard Smith. I heard some guy yelling in the stands the entire game about how much we sucked because we were losing to an 0 and 26 team. How much he hated Coach Bustle and Coach Fouquier. He did not make these comments one time but from the start of the game until the end. So at one point in the game I was very frustrated because I cannot help my team because of an injury and turned to the stands to see this man degrading my team. I simply mouthed to him that if he hates us this much then why doesn't he leave. I never said anything about "its just a game". I have been playing this game since I was 8 years old, trust me it is more than a game. If you knew how hard we work you would know it is more than a game to all of us. I would also like to say that if you do have the utmost respect for me then please don't degrade my team and coaches that does nothing to help. Secondly, for raginwaldo and his comment about how we need to recruit players who give a ________ about this alma mater. I had offers to go play for Northwestern in Illinois, University of Houston, the Navy, UL Monroe, and a few other colleges but I chose to come here. I chose UL because I wanted to change the program. I was tired of people talking trash about my home school and felt like if I stayed home then maybe I can get some other local talent to stay here. I care more about this University more than I can say in this message. Another thing to raginwaldo, why would you say send me to a JUCO for something I never said. That is the problem with this site people think they hear things or know partial truths and make players and or coaches out to be the bad guy. Just like when I broke my hand against Georgia. I used a persons phone to text my parents because they were freaking out and did not know what happened to me so I let them know I was alright. I did not even have my phone on me and that was the only text I sent. Then because the camera turned to me when I was texting, everyone assumed I am texting friends and that I don't give a ______ about this team. Please just be sure you know the facts before you degrade a player. Finally, I just think it is sad that even when you play a home game you still have to put up with your own fans talking trash about your team. I am not sending this to start a fight or anything. I am very grateful for the fans we have and hope to see more in the future. I just wanted to set the facts straight about what I so said did. I hope all of you will continue to come to support us. We need all the support we can get. Thanks again. Go Cajuns. _

Grant,

Thanks for the post. Someone once told me that most fans are nothing of the sort. They aren't fans of the players, they aren't fans of the team, and they aren't fans of the game.

They just want bragging rights.

Saturday was hard on everyone who loves this university, most of all you guys who bust butt all year long to wear the vermilion and white. Our fans get on the players, but I know that you guys get on yourselves much, much worse.

IMHO the misquote, however, was right; it is just a game. Some day you may be lucky enough to have a family you love and a career you love. If you do, you will find that football becomes much less important for you.

This is a great school, and you are great young men and women. We build this University, first and foremost, to provide you-- and our world-- with a future. In effect, the university, and the university community, should be here to support you.

Not vice versa.

Those of you who choose to play for the Cajuns out of a belief in this University and this community make a difference, though not always in the way you originally intended. Every time a Jerry Babb or a Michael Desormeaux or a Grant Fleming-- or any one of dozens of other great young people-- dons the school colors, you raise the bar for your teammates, for your classmates, and for all of us. A lot of nasty people are in record books all over the world, and a lot of great people aren't. Never forget that the real contribution you guys make to this University and this world won't be included on a top 10 list.

So let me leave you with some words of wisdom. When I was in high school, my band director made me swallow the gum I was chewing. I replied with the urban legend that gum takes 20 years to digest, and he replied with a comment that has served me at many points in my life:

"This, too, shall pass."

Geaux Cajuns

[cajunhawk]

_ Except he didn't say it.

I'll say it again. "All players should be ready to run through walls for their coach.

If the mentality is it's just a game they will barely run through the tunnel."

Grant runs through walls for Bustle and co. _

Crapola, I didn't read enough of the thread. Oh well. I stand by my post.

[scotto_25]

This is college football people. There isn't a stadium in the world that doesn't have fans yelling at players. Somethings are just so damn ridiculous! Why do we cradle our teams like they are damn babies. They are all big boys and they know that they screwed up. No one had their head in the game and we got our faces bashed in by Western KenSucky!

We are playing terrible football and if you disagree then you are lying to yourselves. It's not just a game....it's a job to these student athletes and coaches. If I played or worked half ass 75% of the time like our team is doing, I'd get yelled at too. I'd probably get fired.

As far as yelling at players is concerned....who cares? Players aren't supposed to even listen to that crap. Why should anyone else be concerned as long as profanity not being blistered through the stands. It is a family environment but believe me it happens 100% of the time at every game you go to. Quit the F'n crying....!!

Lastly, If you don't put up for RCAF then quit talking completely because your voice shouldn't be heard. You have no opinion on how bad our team is. This is something that's very affordable for anybody that holds at least a banker's hour job.

This football team is pathetic. I hope there's more yelling next game. Player's parents or family members can't take this to heart.......people dedicate a lot of time, money, etc to these teams and they want to see winners. YOU DO NOT LOSE TO WKU OR MCNEESE AND THINK EVERYTHING'S GONNA BE ALRIGHT. WAKE UP AMERICA!

[RaginWaldo]

people dont wanna wake up. they just want to believe everything the administration, coaches, and players tell them. Oh well. Im done.

[lcitsh]

_ people dont wanna wake up. they just want to believe everything the administration, coaches, and players tell them. Oh well. Im done. _

You are? Great! Take cjr & scotto with you. You're not needed.

[cjr3888]

_ You are? Great! Take cjr & scotto with you. You're not needed. _

There you go, with the main problem with this fanbase. HOW DARE SOMEONE HAVE AN OPINION THAT YOU DON'T AGREE WITH. When someone speaks their opinion in regards to anything with this university that goes against the norm, they are not needed. We are all people and we all have opinions. We will never agree on everything. I have been through the entire thread, tooks everyones opinion, and discussed the situation, which is the purpose of a message board. You and all the other's who TRULY believe the "if you don't support the cajuns, move to baton rouge" need to wake up. Of course, you will tell me to go support LSU as someone already has.

[ragin91cajun]

_ You are? Great! Take cjr & scotto with you. You're not needed. _

You're right we have way too many fans. Cajun Field was a little too crowded on Saturday and then all the yelling. It was quite terrifying.

[SportsFan]

I have been following this thread since the first post. Interesting, to say the least. I know my opinion is not wanted, but here it is anyway!

To answer the question, am I wrong? YES! You are wrong to berate a player by name/number. And you are wrong to expect people to side with you. If this scenerio happened exactly as you described, it was WRONG. What did you expect a parent to do?
I am not going to condemn you. Not my place. The number one reason why you are wrong is that these players ARE NOT PAID to play football. And don't use a scholarship as justification for your boorish behavior. Head down to the Superdome and let it fly! They are paid to perform.

Expressing displeasure with your team's performance is one thing. Singling out an individual is a different thing in this case. And don't hid behind the excuse that the players are "coddled or babied". Having to listen to someone berate them isn't going to make men out of them. Because, I have no doubt that what they are really thinking is, "shut the ____up, you idiot!" They don't think you are much of a man.

[MetryCajun]

Good thread. I am glad I heard both sides of the story. A few of my worthless observations.

1) As long as personal attacks or profanity are not used I think it is acceptable to call out your team. This is not bidy ball or even HS. In D1 football the stakes have been raised.
2) Players should ignore the fans. They have a job to do and resonding to fans during the game is not one of them.
3) Grant did not say it, but someone said this is just a game. It is not. Many coaches on this staff will probably lose their jobs at the end of the season because of this loss. Coming from a losing low level D1 program it will be difficult for them to find a better paying job. I am sure this is not lost on most of the players.
4) I have no idea if the original poster was wrong (point#1), but he does sound obnoxious.

[scotto_25]

_ You are? Great! Take cjr & scotto with you. You're not needed. _

Dude, you're a loser! I donate a good bit to this program (win or LOSE). I hope you do the same! But don't tell me that I'm not needed because I've stated a level-headed case.

1. People will always holler at players
2. The players are MEN, they can take it
3. The players should ignore the crowd no matter what
4. Our team isn't good....you can't argue that
5. Coaching staff needs to go
6. Players aren't focused

And I need to go????? Yeah, I'll go....to every game like I do each week, each season, each year.

Maybe you need to go my friend.....

[Cajunsmike]

_ There will be no 180 about my comments or attitude. First off, as I've said before I never used profanity.

To Grant, I know you love this university like the rest of us and you always play your heart out and you are a leader for this team. That's why when I heard the "it's just a game" comment it set me off. I know what I heard, and you were looking at me when it was said. If it wasn't you then I apologize for that. I stated many times at the game and on here that when in position, the players made plays. But there were very few times players were in position, whether it be play calling or wrong assignments. How many time do they have to throw the ball over the middle before someone figures out what they will do?

It's very frustrating when time and time again we get embarrassed by horrible teams, and WKU was horrible and 0-26.

As for as what I would have done if Smith came in the stands, I deal with people much more dangerous than him on a daily basis with my job so I can handle myself.

igeaux.mobi _

People I trust claim with absolute certainty that you did use profanity in your remarks. Perhaps the emotion of the moment and the frustration is such that you do not recall every word you uttered. They also claim you calmed down after security asked you to behave. As far as handling folks more dangerous than Smith, you probably have a weapon at your disposal when you do so. That would have been different on Saturday. Of course that is a foolish point to bring up as it would have been doubly embarrassing to have a player lose control. From this point on, we need to all be pointing in the same direction, support of the program and student athletes. That does not mean we have to agree with each coaching decision. It also does not mean it is inappropriate for people to voice an opinion that a change in staff should be made. Doing so does not mean you are not a supporter.