College Football - What Makes it so Special?

A lot of people love college football, but why is it that so many people tend to feel college football is more special than professional?

An example of the huge crowds and craze of college football on a Saturday.

"It changes what's special about college football. We turn it into the NFL, where who has the most money, that's where you go." - Tim Tebow

The Traditions

There's nothing like a gameday Saturday on a college campus, whether you're a student or an adult, the smell of tailgaters grills and the anticipation of the game will have you eager to join the fun.

If you have ever been lucky enough to experience this, you understand the exhilarating feeling I am talking about.

This is just an example of the many traditions that go along with college football. What makes college football so special to me is the fans and the traditions you can't get anywhere else. The energy in the stadiums in college has a much different feel than the NFL. The pride in your team and school is what it is all about in college football. If you look at the NFL it is all about the money and it's more of a business. Not to say that the NFL is not special, as I am an NFL fan myself, but it is special in it's own way. Although there is still a lot of passion when it comes to the NFL, the fan experience at a college football game is superior.

College football is built off the pride of ones school, even the alumni of the school will cheer for their school until they die. That is what makes it so special, you can't graduate from an NFL team, only in college sports can you get this type of loyalty and enthusiasm. Many people find the college game more enjoyable to watch as well because it is more unpredictable, whereas in the NFL it is usually easy to predict.

The industry of college football is much more appreciated as well. The NFL is based off of money as are all professional sports, you can even consider the NFL as it's own market. Although college football does bring in revenue for the universities through ticket sales and memorabilia it is not the same. The players are not playing because of a multi million dollar contract, they play for the love of the game.

Along with that love of the game they are playing with a love of their university. When high school superstars are on their athletic visits to universities they want to go where they feel at home and where they feel wanted. If they are going to give their blood, sweat, and tears to a university they expect the same loyalty from fans.

Although some believe that college athletes deserve to be paid, I believe they are paid enough through their academic scholarship. It may not seem like much but the love from the fans and love for the university will last forever for the athletes. This is what makes college football so special and you just do not get the same dedication in the NFL where it seems like the players go where the money is.

The feeling of a college football Saturday is something that can't be replicated. Going to a college football game is something I believe everyone should experience in their lifetime because the passion and tradition the game is played with you can't get anywhere else.