Football is just a game, lives are worth so much more.

With the events that have happened in the past few days for Oklahoma State and Stillwater, OK, I have realized through reading social media that while football has become so popular we need to realize that there are things more important than a sporting event. After hearing about the tragic plane crash that had Coach Budke and Serna social media was flooded with everyone around the nation expressing their sympathy. Then when OSU lost the game to ISU Friday night it was flooded with people talking about the loss and suddenly the plane crash became a second thought. I was shocked that people would forget to easily about the deaths in our Cowboy family because of a game that, while it had a lot riding on it, was just a game. People need to remember that football is entertainment; it is not life. We lost one football game but we lost so much more when those two amazing people were taken from this earth Thursday night. We need to be remembering theses people not a mere football game. It was amazing to see football teams around the country wearing orange and black ribbons pinned to their uniforms in support. I will end with this post that has been circling Facebook the past couple days:

Orange is that day that you moved into the dorms as a freshman with lines for the elevator. It’s meeting those friends that would stick with you for life. It’s remembering those dorm buildings, even though they may not be there anymore. It’s wearing orange the Friday before the first game & every Friday after that. It’s KURT BUDKE, MIRANDA SERNA, Barry Sanders, John Smith, Garth Brooks, Mike Gundy, Eddie Sutton… it’s you and me. Orange is putting your arm around the shoulder of the stranger next to you to sing the Alma Mater. It’s making the switch to saying “Power” instead of “Orange.” It’s remembering Lewis Field & admiring Boone Pickens Stadium. It’s knowing that it’s your left hand up to make an “S.” Orange is when it’s good for a Cowboy First Down and Ten. Orange is Pistols Firing – Touchdown Oklahoma State. It’s “...O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A Oklahoma STATE” no matter where you are when the state song is played. It’s the big smile on your face when you walk past the orange fountain. It’s going back to the place you worked in college & remembering it as the best job you ever had even though it paid the least. It’s a cabinet full of Joe’s cups. Orange is knowing that it’s time to go home when you hear “New York, New York” or “Shoulda Been a Cowboy.” Orange is the one you tried to let down easy & the one you’ll never forget. Orange is wanting to get out of Stillwater for four years & spending the rest of your life wanting to go back.

Proud and Immortal,
Bright shines your name.
Oklahoma State,
We herald your fame.
Ever you’ll find us,
Loyal and true.
To our Alma Mater
O – S – U!!!!

Lauren Olson

KIN 577