The recent folklore in Lubbock is that Texas Tech students’ tradition of throwing tortillas onto the field originated after a TV broadcaster once said the only thing in Lubbock, Texas was the Tech football team and a tortilla factory.
I’m here to say that’s bullcrap. There is also a feed lot.
Fortunately the Tech students did not create a tradition of throwing bovine excrement at opposing fans or players. But, there is still time. And considering that Bleacher Report once, appropriately, named the Red Raiders the 8th Rudest Fanbase in College Football, I would not be surprised.
I’ve seen the tortilla throwing in person. Frankly, it’s not as scary as a trip to Boulder, Colorado back in the 90s where the student section smuggled into the stadium rolls of toilet paper that they would soak in water in the stadium bathrooms, then wait a while (allowing the Mile High air to place a nice icy film on the item) and then heave the tissue bomb from the student section onto the field.
Fortunately, the Buffs were so bad back then their students were throwing these at their own players, not the visitors.
Tech fans are a bit more loyal. Whatever Trump-like insult they toss is usually at the opposing fans or players. Tech fans are like the small town football program where the entire town shows up on Friday night and half stand around the sidelines, not because there isn’t enough space in the bleachers, but because they want to think they might get called to play in their kids’ game.
Much of the in-your-face attitude in Lubbock started with former coach Mike Leach. Leach agreeably accepted his title “The Pirate” because he was anti-establishment long before this current election put it in vogue. He never played football. He was a lawyer. He didn’t subscribe to the notion that defense wins championships. He preferred a mad-bombing offense and a defense that let the opponent score so he could get the ball back.
They would rather have their fun jawing at people who drive the six or more hours onto the flats of west Texas for a football game in a dusty town that smells like the litter box hasn’t been emptied in about 20 years.
They would rather have their fun jawing at people who drive the six or more hours onto the flats of west Texas for a football game in a dusty town that smells like the litter box hasn’t been emptied in about 20 years.
Of course Leach never won a conference championship either.
But apparently Tech fans have grown OK with that.
They would rather have their fun jawing at people who drive the six or more hours onto the flats of west Texas for a football game in a dusty town that smells like the litter box hasn’t been emptied in about 20 years.
And throw Tex-Mex food at them.
I considered making the drive to Lubbock this year. It’s sort of like deciding whether to go to the State Fair. After about six or seven years you forget how bad it is and you return.
The last time I went to the Oklahoma-Texas Tech game in Lubbock was about six years ago. But, I still remember it. So, I’m not going back just yet.
OK, if the above doesn’t rile them up with flying tortillas then I give up.
Boomer Sooner, baby. Beat Texas Tech.
-Mike
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