At one point, I pondered flipping my fandom to LSU for a variety of reasons. And also the New Orleans Saints. While I still like to see both those teams succeed, and my kids have hung on to their fandom of both (some more than others), this was still an entirely failed experiment. Total folly. BYU, I just can't quit you.

As one of my brothers observes, BYU gets in your blood. That's the case for me, and what's said in Sunday School, or whether I'm anywhere near a Sunday School while it's being said, has little to do with that. As has been stated, BYU is a staple of my formative years, many of my relationships, and my favorite moments. BYU has a terrific environment, the likes of which you just don't find elsewhere--doesn't mean other places don't have their own great traditions and atmospheres. Our is just unique. And also kinda awesome. That's true for me whether we're dialing it back to my childhood or just dialing it back to last night. It's fun to be a fan, I had a great college experience at BYU, and I'm proud of my alma mater. I enjoy meeting and being around other BYU fans, wherever I bump into them.

I hope everyone else with some or all of those feelings stays on board the BYU bandwagon, whatever their relationship with The Church may be.