Dear Blake Gideon,
by Longhorn in SC on Nov 4, 2008 1:23 PM CST
46 comments
You are the worst football player to every wear the burnt orange uniform. You didn't deserve to be on that field when that pass came your way. You shouldn't have dropped that EASY interception. If I was the coach I would take you off the starting defense and put you on the practice squad...check that; I would kick you off the team. I cant believe you dropped that pass! Turn in your pads and helmet! What were you thinking kid? You ruined our season! The only reason you are playing is cause' they don't have anyone else to play. Don't show your face in Austin ever again. Quit school now! This is all your fault!!!..............
There.....that's the hardest you will ever hear it! at least it better be...
Young man, you belong on that field now more so than ever. If the worst thing that ever happens to you in your life is dropping a potential interception to win a game, kiddo, you are gonna have a great life and I envy you. You were recruited by Texas because you can play. Didn't you break your back before? You committed to Texas knowing the level that the team competes on and what it takes just to play for Coach Brown. You earned the job as a FRESHMAN! A FRESHMAN!!! You have played above and beyond what anyone could have ever expected from a true freshman at the University of Texas. I am proud of you and I would take you and Earl over any other safety combo anytime!
Your character and courage and intestinal fortitude aren't tested when you are on top of the world; those things are tested when your back is against the wall and when you are at, what you perceive to be, the "bottom" emotionally and maybe even physically. Life is gonna throw you into some pretty tough situations if you're a football player or not. It's real easy for folks like us to criticize you and the other players when they mess up or make a mistake...we aren't playing, we have that luxury. You all don't and that is why you are actually PLAYING and we are not.
I don't need to tell you to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep your head up and do you know why? Because you have already done that and you certainly don't need a Marine to tell you that. You are a warrior and I wish I had your talent when I was your age.
I am the king of failures and I could tell you a thing or two about making a mistake...sometimes the same one over and over again. I am a success because of my failures and you will be too. Money, fame, awards, and admiration will leave as fast as it came but you know what matters to you most of all. You have some great peers and coaches around you but here is something you may not know...you have some darn great fans in your corner too.
As much as I love football and the Texas Longhorns at the end of the day the game gives me a chance to cheer for my team, takes my mind off of my stresses for a little while, and pales in comparison to what really matters in my life; my walk with the LORD, my family, my Marines, and going back into harms way which I am certain will visit me again soon. It's not matter of if, it's a matter of when. I have enjoyed watching you play and will enjoy watching you play like a spotted ape on Saturday. I feel real sorry for Baylor as I have some friends that are alumni and they let out a collective "Crap", when the dust settled and they realized that they are next.
Honor, Courage, and Commitment.....words that read a lot like a young man and a team from Austin that I watch on Saturday's.
Semper Fidelis....Always Faithful
Hook 'Em
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Well said...
he has a great future in front of him, and that one play didn’t lose the game for us – it was a combination of errors that did us in.
HOOK ’EM…!
by Horns757 on Nov 4, 2008 1:39 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
For the sake of adding comedic relief
I hope the players poke some fun at him, calling him “butterfingers” or whatever. It would probably ease his spirit.
by goingforthecorner on Nov 4, 2008 1:43 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Kind of like...
When my Cardinals and Albert destroyed Brad Lidge’s psyche in Game 5 of the 2005 NLCS? I heard that no one said anything to Lidge until they were on the airplane, when someone looked out the window and said “Lidge, look! That ball just landed!”
Of course, since in baseball momentum is only as good as your next pitcher, Mitser Oswalt in Game 6 made sure the Pujols homerun was a mere historical footnote.
by 40AS on Nov 4, 2008 4:23 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
It was Bagwell
He came over the captain’s intercom and said something like “And if you’ll look out the right side of the aircraft you’ll see Albert Pujols’ home run ball still flying.”
by BigTexBD on Nov 4, 2008 5:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
And for the record...
who got the last out in the World Series this year for the Phillies?
I’m sure after that he sent a big ‘Victory shall be mine!’ note to his ’pals in H-town!
by longhornJ on Nov 6, 2008 4:48 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
um...
I don’t think you understand the point of the story. Lidge loved being in Houston, though most fans were glad when he was traded. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t send something like that back to a team where he got his start.
by BlinkOneGun on Nov 6, 2008 6:34 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Actually
I’m pretty happy for the year Lidge had. True followers of the ‘Stros were adamant that Lidge was suffering from a mental "pitcher’s block" here in Houston. We all agreed that a simple change of scenery would likely mean a return of Lights-Out Lidge. And it did.
And BOG is right. Lidge is a man of high character. He’s not the type to send a note like that to his former team.
by Shake on Nov 7, 2008 1:05 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
You’re a ’Horns AND Cards fan? Same here. Quick BFAM check: are you a Chiefs fan, too?
by burntorangehorn on Nov 5, 2008 9:45 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Funny
I was thinking the exact same thing when I typed the above post, but didn’t mention the comparison because it brought back bad memories.
by goingforthecorner on Nov 5, 2008 3:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
I said in my fanpost
That it would take a long time for me to forgive Gideon for that play. But it’s already happened. No Horns fan should be too hard on him; he was certainly not the only guy who made a mistake. It’s not like Michael Huff and Griffin didn’t screw up when they were younger.
I’ll be cheering for both Thomas and Gideon extra hard in the coming weeks.
by TheElusiveShadow on Nov 4, 2008 2:04 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Too soon to forgive
The kid is on a full-ride. He shoulda caught the damn ball. My loans won’t be paid off until I’m 55 years old.
One ball. One tipped-ball. And we go to the MNC for sure.
Too soon to forgive, my friends. I ain’t over the broken heart, yet. And the kid needs to hear the laments until he gets the chance to redeem himself.
It's Mean to Ween
by Bombilla on Nov 4, 2008 4:31 PM CST up reply actions 1 recs
As long as we don't single him out
Mack gets way more compensation than Gideon, and we lost the game because Mack poorly managed the clock.
Muschamp gets much more than Gideon, and we lost the game because he didn’t put his secondary through enough tip drills, and didn’t have Brown and Thomas playing closer to Crabtree.
Shipley’s far more experienced than Gideon, and he should have been able to make that first touchdown pass.
Colt knows better than to throw a pick-6 right into the LB’s hands.
I could go on, but you get my point. If you’re not going to forgive Gideon, then I hope you’re holding a grudge against the entire team and coaching staff; this loss was a group effort.
by mikey 4 on Nov 5, 2008 10:10 AM CST up reply actions 2 recs
Very well done!
This post saved me a LONG rant that I’ve been writing in my mind since Saturday. I would however add the following to your exceptional post if I may, sir.
Since Saturday evening I’ve read a number of comments about how bad everyone feels about the loss. Among them are (but not limited to): the other team held, our OC is incompetent, certain players should have done this or done that, the opposing fans are classless, the world has ceased to spin, woulda, coulda, shoulda……
I love me some Texas Longhorns folks, and have a for a very long time. I was disappointed when they lost on Saturday night too. But how would you think the players felt after the loss? We’re not the ones out there sweating it out 7 on 7 all summer. We’re not the ones competing for a starting role among the best football players in the country. Most of us don’t get up every day at 5 and hit the weights at 6. We don’t go to practice and film study every single day.
So if you think you’re disappointed, how do you think those that actually did all that work feel? I’m pretty sure that many of them feel like they let a lot of people down, when in reality they did their very best at the time.
This team needs it’s fan-base now. If you care about this team, get there early Saturday and scream your head off when the buses arrive. Get your horns up and do your part, if you want them to know that you care. None of us can change the past and there’s no sense in living in it.
My vote is cast that the mourning, pouting, what-if’ing, blaming, period after a disappointing loss is officially over. ENOUGH!!!
I smell bear meat. Let’s go Horns!!
HOOK EM!
by Mad Dawg's Chain on Nov 4, 2008 3:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
what if the whole game went vice versa? we outscore Tech in first half and play bad in the second. Blake Gideon drops INT in first half and McCoy and company go under 100 yard offense. Who would you blame?
I believe that because Gideon’s dropped INT happened in the end we are all jumping on him saying that he is the reason why we lost. Although he should have got that ball, we should not forget how bad our offense was in first half: 6 points (2 FGs, Safety, early “go for it 4th down”).
I believe that both our safeties will learn on their mistakes (look at their progress from FAU game) and will follow a great tradition of Texas safeties.
by justfr1day on Nov 4, 2008 6:54 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
I have a daughter who just turned 18
And if she brought Blake Gideon home, I’d greet him a lot more warmly than any other jack-leg punk, I’ll tell you that. I might not even clean my gun in front of him.
There was a great story about him in the AAS not too long ago. Seriously, a great-looking kid. And I love how he asks both Mack and Muschamp before every game if they’re feeling nervous. He’s going to be just fine.
Friends may come and go, but enemies accumulate.
- Thomas Jones
by beast in bama on Nov 4, 2008 8:41 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
But At The Same Time
How in the phuck did he not catch that ball! That was the game in his hands!
by realmccoy on Nov 4, 2008 9:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Aha!
As much as we don’t want to admit it, several Longhorn fans will never forget that play. If we were to make a list of the all time most disappointing plays in Texas history, this one will be right up there with Phillip Geiggar’s infamous penalty and Colt’s injury on the QB sneak at KSU that cost us a Big 12 Title.
There is still time for this play to be forgotten, but if Texas Tech ends up in Miami and we finish 11-1, this play will sadly earn a spot in Longhorn Football Infamy.
That said, Blake is a tough kid, he’ll be back.
by the1austin on Nov 4, 2008 11:53 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Try Craig Curry's muffed punt - now that's one for serious consequences.
I'll never forget ol' what's-his-name.
by Horntod on Nov 5, 2008 10:43 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fred Akers to blame, not Craig Curry
To Curry’s defense, the ’84 Cotton Bowl game was a pure defensive battle and our undefeated and No. 2-ranked Longhorns (Nebraska was ranked No. 1) had kicked 3 field goals to lead 9-3 against Georgia. With about 4 minutes left in the game, the defense once again held firm near midfield (too far in the cold blustery wind for the Dawgs to try a field goal). I froze my butt off along the north sidelines that day.
Despite it being 4th and long, Akers was convinced that Georgia would not punt, so he (Akers) called his “unsure defense” formation and play. If the ball comes over the line of scrimmage it must be a pass, so the defenders are told not to even try risking an interception (it being 4th down anyway) but to simply knock the ball to the ground (ending the play).
Sure enough after the snap, the ball floated over the line of scrimmage and some Georgia players were running in the direction towards Curry when he slapped the ball to the ground as instructed. Except that the ensuing mad scramble for the football revealed that something different had happened … Georgia actually punted. With the short field (about 15 yards) and momentum and no time for a Texas comeback, Georgia scored the only touchdown of the game and won 10-9, thereby eliminating Texas from national championship consideration when the No. 1-ranked Cornhuskers would lose its Orange Bowl game later that evening.
"God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him." J.Piper
by bravobevo on Nov 6, 2008 4:44 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Just a thought......
but maybe……a little credit could be given to Tech actually playing a great game……maybe the game wasn’t just lost by a missed opportunity from a young CB but more so by……….
• 579 total yards of offense to Texas’ 374.
• 474 passing yards to 274.
• 105 rushing yards to 81.
• 31 first downs to 18.
• 81 offensive plays to 62.
• Four sacks to two.
• 50 percent success ratio on third downs to 33 percent.
• 36:52 to 23:07 advantage in time of possession
just a hunch…………
by 2001Raider on Nov 5, 2008 6:39 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Just a hunch...
But I think if you read this site closely, you will see very clearly that everyone gives due credit to Tech. That doesn’t mean we can’t examine our own mistakes. Make no mistake, we played by far our poorest game of the year… and still almost beat you guys in Lubbock. What we are ruing is the fact that we made a lot of mistakes that were not induced at all by Tech, and for this one regarding our young safety, it was a very easy interception that defenders dream about. Others will include a variety of dropped balls and penalties that killed drives. Not to mention the fact that Cosby and Orakpo went down during the game and Chykie Brown, who has been our best corner, played only one play.
You won a great game, and Harrell and Crabtree made the plays to win. However, we virtually no-showed the first half, had devastating injuries and/or players out due to discipline, and made key mistakes throughout the game. I’m not making excuses, as that’s just football, but what Tech should be worrying about right now is the fact that despite how poorly the Horns played and how banged up we were, it was still a game we arguably should have won at the very end if not for some horrible defensive mistakes by our young secondary. It’s not going get much easier playing OSU and most certainly not much easier playing Oklahoma in Norman.
by TheElusiveShadow on Nov 5, 2008 7:11 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
hmmm
maybe you should hunch the following:
0 Big 12 titles
0 National Championships
Tech played a great game against Texas. However, the kind relevance and respect YOU seek will not be found here, or elsewhere, until the those numbers change. Unfortunately winning one conference game against a “rival” neither annoints a team as valid, nor does it erase a history of mediocrity. Keep winning. Tack a few skins up on the wall over the next few years. THEN we’ll talk genuine relevance. Until then? Maybe you should get ready for Okie Lite and Land Thief. They have pretty good teams too. Maybe as good as Tech’s. Good luck with those two and Hook Em Horns.
by Mad Dawg's Chain on Nov 5, 2008 12:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
HaHa
I forgot that the aggies have actually won a Big 12 title.
by Wells on Nov 6, 2008 6:28 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
also..
They have won a national championship, and Tech hasn’t.
by BlinkOneGun on Nov 6, 2008 6:36 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Raider, despite Techs statistical successes during the game
When it came down to it, Texas was one play from beating Tech 7 years in a row. Texas played its worst game of the season and lost on a miracle last second play. Tech played a great game, but I have a hunch that Tech will not be so lucky against a rested Oklahoma team at Norman.
by the1austin on Nov 5, 2008 3:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Raider defense...
had a hand in the stats. Tech had missed opportunities, dropped balls, missed calls, bad special teams just like Texas. Don’t try and say Tech played perfect. because you argument won’t hold water. It was a great game by two great teams.
Didn’t Texas lose 5 years in a row to OU before the year they won the National title?
Tech has hard games ahead of them that they may lose but our 500th win came over a #1 ranked team for the first time in our history. Just makes a little better it was against Texas. Good luck the rest of the season.
by techsan on Nov 5, 2008 4:27 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Fair enough, let's move on.
Isn’t there an Oklahoma State board somewhere out there?
by the1austin on Nov 5, 2008 10:00 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Techsan
I really hope one thing, if you guys make it to Kansas City, I really hope you guys pummel MiZZOU. It would really suck if they took a BCS spot they have no business claiming.
by the1austin on Nov 5, 2008 10:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone's conference...
that is making this season really fun to watch. It would be disappointing if a North team took the title just because they aren’t doing as well and they have a chance of winning it if a south team slipped up in that game. But there are 4 teams in the South that are well deserving no matter who takes it. Too bad we can’t send 4 to the BCS.
by techsan on Nov 6, 2008 8:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
My first thought was,
I feel sorry for the young man. Neighbors came over saying what a F;d up kid Blake was, he cost us the MNC.
I don’t feel sorry for Blake anymore, I’m proud the young man is wearing BURNT ORANGE.,Period!!!!!
"Nobody leaves this field until we beat the hell out of them".................... L.J."Louis"Jordan in 1913 before kickoff of the Texas/ou game.
by ouALWAYSsux on Nov 5, 2008 10:02 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
Blake better not flake
As long as it doesn’t happen again….I can let it go. I can’t however let the Curtis Brown poor effort escape my mind. He didn’t not even make an effort to tackle. Bench him!
by Dawnpatrol on Nov 5, 2008 10:37 AM CST reply actions 0 recs
You're kidding, right?
Brown’s job was harder than people realize. He couldn’t let Crabtree go out of bounds, because that would have set them up for a game-winning field goal. He also couldn’t let Crabtree go into the end zone for obvious reasons. Nor could he easily tackle Crabtree; because the receiver was so close to the sideline and end zone, a careless tackle would give away the game for the reasons mentioned above. His only option was to try to hold him in place and pull him down carefully.
by mikey 4 on Nov 5, 2008 10:52 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
FG Attempt
FG attempts no matter how close are not guaranteed. I would rather get a shot at blocking the attempt. Remember, we blocked one earlier.
by HornsFaninCalifornia on Nov 5, 2008 11:22 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs
He should have gotten help from Thomas
Thomas jogging right by the play was absolutely inexcusable. Curtis Brown had slowed him down, and if Thomas came and helped him wrestle him in bounds and to the ground, we would have won.
by TheElusiveShadow on Nov 5, 2008 1:33 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
Brown wasn't guaranteed to fail at tackling him, either
Our probability of success was very low regardless of what Curtis did. He could have pushed Crabtree out of bounds and given them the 15-yard field goal, or he could try to make a soft tackle all by himself. Either way, we had lost.
by mikey 4 on Nov 5, 2008 12:46 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
a shot at blocking a field goal, icing a kicker, or simply putting pressure on their weak FG kicking unit is infinitley better than a soft tackle on a big, physical, talented receiver in an attempt to bring him down when he’s already tiptoeing the sideline.
by Displaced Longhorn on Nov 5, 2008 1:15 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
As if Leach would leave the game up to the FG unit anyway...
by BoddickerIsClutch on Nov 5, 2008 2:20 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
crabtree shoulda kicked it.
by Displaced Longhorn on Nov 6, 2008 6:37 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
the true anger
I think it is on the whole team, however if you want to put it on one player you can’t put it on gideon. I mean how shocked would you be when what your praying for happens, you are salivating for an interception to end the game and low and behold there it is you freeze u…miss read it… shocked that it happend.. all this = understandable your a freshman and your one big play from redeeming yourself….no the blame goes on the safety or DB that gave up on trying to tackle crabtree not the player that had a hold of the jerzey but the one that non-chalantly jogged and then walked to the side line in a pathetic effort to tackle him… but like i said the whole team is to blame that first half was just bad football.
by ousuxHOOKEM on Nov 14, 2008 2:58 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
This Marine couldn’t have said it any better. OOHRAH! He is an amazing athlete that we’ll be watching on Sundays soon enough.
Semper Fidelis
Hook ’Em
by PapaHood on Nov 16, 2008 9:48 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
Pick a play, any play
What stood out to me at the time was Colt on the play before you scored your last TD. Rather than take a hit from an under-sized DB, he steps out of bounds and stops the clock. If he stays in bounds, the Gideon play would have never happened because Tech would have run out of time. Give me a physical mistake any day over a mental lapse by the team leader.
We can all pick out one play or one call and say that was the difference. Bottom line is that both teams played 60 minutes and the score is what it is.
I have rooted for the Horns for years (with Tech’s history, can you blame me?), but I’m disappointed in the Horn fans and their reaction after that game. Sure it’s a huge letdown, but don’t tarnish decades of tradition with an aggie-like response.
by TT_ on Nov 17, 2008 12:42 PM CST reply actions 0 recs
??
What exactly is an aggie-like response? That we are frustrated with our own goofy mistakes? That we came out totally flat in the first half and had to crawl out of a hole? That we were an easy pick a way from still winning despite playing by far our worst game of the year? To be honest, I’ve seen plenty of “aggie-like” responses from Tech fans… true cases of little brother syndrome. They claim dominance in a game they won by the skin of their teeth, decry referee mistakes when our linemen were getting held egregiously, and pretty much act like they’ve never been there before. Which they haven’t, but it doesn’t excuse the behavior. Should I rip all Tech fans for a few who have acted classless?
In hindsight, it is easy to say Colt should have stayed in. At the time, I thought he should, but he wasn’t just avoiding contact. Scoring is not guaranteed, and Tech only had 1:29 left when they got the ball back. Then it’s up to our defense. That’s why Gideon’s mistake will be remembered and not Colt running out of bounds. He makes that play, which was an extremely easy one, we win. He didn’t, and we lost.
I don’t blame him solely for the loss; in fact, I blame the offense more for coming out absolutely brain-dead in the first half. That doesn’t change the fact that he made a huge mistake that will live on in Texas history.
“I have rooted for the Horns for years (with Tech’s history, can you blame me?)”
Um, yes I can. This would be called “bandwagonning.” So unless your allegiances changed because you just started attending Texas Tech University, then there aren’t too many justifiable reasons for that.
by TheElusiveShadow on Nov 17, 2008 4:39 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs
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