The Singular Mind

True football enthusiasts (players and fans alike) won't let a bit of snow stop them.

Thanksgiving has always (at least, since the advent of televised football) been hailed as a day to sit around in a tryptophan-induced stupor and watch football to your heart's content, but in 1950 something threatened all this, at least in Ohio. What became known as the Great Thanksgiving Storm, the deepest snowstorm in Ohio's history, reared its ugly head and covered Ohio in 20 to 30 inches of snow for 5 days, from November 23-27. But the Ohio State-Michigan game was scheduled for the 25th (which actually wasn't Thanksgiving, that was the 23rd, but whatever)! Whatever could they do?

Play the game, of course.

In an heroic effort, the teams marched out to compete in manly battle upon the frozen gridiron in what was called the "Blizzard Bowl", with a temperature of only 5 degrees Fahrenheit and winds up to 40 mph. In the end, Michigan came out on top, 9-3. There had been 27 yards gained total and not even one first down. It was truly a glorious day for the kickers.

What really gets me though, is that the marching band played. In my old days as a marching bander in high school (oh so many years ago), everyone complained if the temperature got below 40 or it was drizzling. We didn't march on several occasions because of a light rain. Sure, sometimes we toughed it out, but not often, especially on away games. Yet the band at this game not only went to the game and played (I assume; the video doesn't have sound), but they also marched their show in 5 DEGREE WEATHER. I wish today's bands (at least the ones I've had experience with) would follow their example and grow a pair. Harding's at least has been fairly good about this.

The stands are pretty filled as well, for the weather.

Read about the Great Thanksgiving Storm and see a video of its affects at OhioHistory.org.

Labels: Things of Interest

posted by Jeremy @ 12:40 AM