What does it mean to be a Hog fan?

When you listen to call in shows, read the paper, or talk to the common fan, you see that Arkansas sports is more than just a gathering on Saturday, it's a passion. Passion is any powerful or compelling emotion or feeling, such as love or hate. That is a perfect reflection as to what it means to be a Razorback fan. You hear the love after a win or you hear the frustration after a loss. Some people don't understand why its like that. I have thought about this and decided that its because the Razorback is a symbol of who we are as hog fans.

When you drive around you see a Hog on many people's cars. You see flags at people's homes. Why is that? The answer is that we live vicariously through what those kids do on a day to day basis. As Arkansans we have heard how we are just hillbillies or we are a state that (in some minds) are inferior to other states. So the way that our team performs is in some way a message to everyone else that we are just as good as anyone in the Southeastern conference. Now is that right? Well, that is in itself a question that I cannot answer. Its just kinda the way that it is.

Just look at what happens to those that play for the Hogs. You can travel statewide and see former Razorbacks that have made a name for themselves in the buisness world or public speakers. A perfect example is a former player Pat Bradley. He is not from Arkansas originally; however this Bostonian became a radio celebrity in the the state. It's because in this state they we take care of our own; and whether you were born here or matriculated here from somewhere else, if you wear the symbol of the passion ( I mean the Hog) of this state you have the backing of an entire state.

No offense, to ATU, SAU, UCA, ASU, HSU.... (the list goes on) but you will never have the passion of a state gathered behind one team, one voice one love or a single banner that flies higher than any other banner in the state. To a Hog fan its Woo Pig Sooie on Saturday that brings chills shimmering down your spine. Its a group of 18-22 year old kids that carry the pride and the heart of who we are and what we love. Now again is that too much pressure on a kid? Perhaps, but you will never have the backing that you will have that you will have from the Nation; a Razorback Nation, that makes you smile when its good and hurt when its bad....

The uniqueness of the mascot is fitting to the uniqueness of a team that truly isn't rivaled by anyone else in this state. In Oklahoma you split the state, in Texas you divide the state in many pieces, but in our "little ole" state we all follow the "BIG OLE" Razorback. So for those who don't understand why we are the way we are about the Hogs; maybe some light has been shed on the picture. However, until you're a Razorback you will never fully understand. So to sum up this little post, what is a hog fan? It's a passionate heartbeat for a group of selected players that carry more than just a football; they carry little kids dreams, old men's stories, and every fan's aspirations of the goals that every Arkansan has. It is to be more than what everyone thinks that we are in this state; It's to have the heart of a Champion.

Go Hogs Go!