It’s tough being a Kansan during summer and fall. No real hope for the Royals to make the playoffs, though they always seem to tease their fans at the start of the season with the promise of something magical. Some of us still remember the 80’s and long for the days of Brett & Saberhagen. However, that’s been around 30 years ago and we’ve been around the block enough to know that was then and this is now. About midseason talk around town turns to the upcoming football season and hope springs to life yet again.
This year conversations ranged from having a healthy Chiefs team to a possible turn around in Lawrence, KS with the new additions to the Kansas Jayhawks and then there were those Wildcats at Kansas State. Was last year a fluke in Manhattan or could they be legitimate contenders? Hopes were rising and expectations were at a all time high. Then the season started.
It didn’t take long to learn it was going to be a long season for Chiefs fans and wasn’t long before they were booing Matt Cassel at Arrowhead. The college scene was different as KSU and KU both started the season with wins. The hope of Kansas fans grew and maybe just maybe this year the Jayhawks would be competitive. Fans packed Memorial Stadium to watch their beloved Hawks battle Rice in the second game of the season. Leading in the 4th quarter fans frantically cheered, hung on to hope and their hearts were about to burst in their chest…and then one poor decision turned jubilation into jeers. Crist was not KU’s savior!!! How could he throw a pass up for grabs and put the game in jeopardy? So many questions with no answers. This wouldn’t be the last time the Hawks would surrender a fourth quarter lead.
As the season went on it became clear that Crist was not much of a quarterback and the Hawks’ would once again be lucky to win a league game. Talk turned to basketball season and the count down to late night began the feeling around Lawrence was probably best depicted by the school newspaper. 
Meanwhile in the little apple the scene was the same but the outcome was different. A talented Wildcat team is undefeated but about to face it’s toughest competition yet. Are they for real or just posers? Only time will tell but until basketball season begins (it’s only two days away) those covered in purple are the only hope remaining in Kansas.
It’s hard to be a sports fan in Kansas.
Action Jackson Sports 