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Tuesday, November 14, 2017

The Navy Shaker



It is no secret that I am extremely superstitious when it comes to sports, especially Auburn sports. I will change seats, shirts, or the location from which I am watching the game. I wear the same bracelets on THURSDAYS that I wore when we won the day of the national championship game. I am not sure why I started wearing them on Thursdays.  I always buy a game program. I would not leave work early the day of either national championship game because I left work early once for an Outback Bowl and we lost. I could go on and on. I am sure you all understand. 

When I saw that the game was NAVY, I groaned to myself.  Actually, I did more than that. I texted my friend Ashley, who was going to the game with me. My actual text was, "Awwwww, crap. It's a navy game.' She responded with, "We're doomed!" So far, my experience with navy games has been quite bad. I especially considered the navy shakers to be cursed. I texted her again, "Maybe we will be ok as long as there are not navy shakers."

Now, I will say. Campus held a certain buzz Saturday that I had not experienced in quite some time. I would say the atmosphere was similar to the 2010 Georgia game.We got there and parked in our normal lot, but it was nearly full. We rode the bus over, and everyone was very pumped.  I have been extremely sick, so I could not do a lot of running from place to place, so we went to eat at Mama Goldbergs then went to the bookstore. The bookstore was CA-RAZY from everyone trying to buy sweatshirts since it was so cold. Campus was still buzzing. I could not put my finger on it, but things seemed to feel different.  I bought my game program and we went on in the stadium.

BLUE. SHAKERS. I refused to get one. I would not even touch them. 

I was nervous, but the student section was PUMPED UP. They really were. I was excited to see how excited they were, even if they were waving around those cursed navy shakers. It seems like every game I have ever been to where those navy shakers are out, we have lost. We talked with some of the people around us for a while when 3 late teen Georgia fans show up for the seats on the end of the row. I was a little worried they might be obnoxious but they were very polite and friendly.  They were not dressed for the weather at all. The kid closest to us told us that he lives nearby and roots for Auburn on every game except Georgia. Of course, everyone knows what happened. When Auburn went ahead, the kid nearest to us just put his head in his hands. He was a thin little fella, so he was freezing. Everyone around him offered Auburn jackets or sweatshirts but he declined. The lady in front of him had  a jacket that did not have anything on it and he accepted. They players came out and went over for their prayer in the far corner of the stadium. I wonder why that is their spot?



We're up by quite a bit. I am still worried about those navy shakers. 

When we scored after halftime, the kids leave. He had been muttering about freezing for no reason and there was no way they would beat Bama. He handed back the jackets and left. He really was polite. We scooted over a little and spread out since we had been jammed in like sardines.  Immediately there was a good play that went UGA's way. I honestly do not remember what it was. I moved back to my original seat. I told the lady on my other side how "traditional" I was. She laughed and said she was the same way. I pointed to the navy shakers and told her I was worried about them. 

Of course, it became evident we were going to win. Watching our boys have so much fun dancing was a highlight of my year. I mean it. It was awesome to watch them. I am not the biggest fan of the jumbotron because I miss the band playing all the time. However, I will say that the DJ fella was SPOT ON with his selections. When he played "Too Late" on the review of the play made my laugh a lot! The plays, the players, the songs were all fabulous. It was a great atmosphere and I had a blast. 

Fast forward to the end of the game. I made sure to grab a navy shaker! I have it on my special shelf. Why are we so superstitious? I cannot explain it, but at least I have one more I can mark off the list!!


Christy:1 Navy Shaker:0
War Eagle, everybody!


Jeff Holland. Isn't he fun?

P.S- I stayed in my original seat the remainder of the game, jammed up against folks I do not know when there was plenty of room to spread out. Maybe that will be my next worry that I conquer!

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