Most of us fans are past college age. And don't tend to remember how fragile our psyche was at 19-21. Some of Us may have drowned that in booze while others of us have covered it in the stench of reefer. Johnny's right, though. As players, they're paraded in front of cameras for our entertainment (not saying that it's not what they signed up for, but still...). And in college towns, especially like here in Tuscaloosa with knowledgable fan bases, these kids get little or no chance at privacy. And we all know how some fans (every fan base has them) feel like since they pay for a ticket or pay their cable bills to watch the games, that it somehow gives them the right to talk to the players any way they see fit. That can get old fast. I used to hang with players and see it all the time (particularly because we weren't consistently good at the time). And on top of the pressure of performing, a couple of the guys were dealing with some real life situations (suicidal mother, dying father, younger siblings stuck in a physically/emotionally abusive home, disabled mother being evicted, etc.).
So I can dig what Johnny's saying. I think the fake outrage, though, has everything to do with the fact that it's June and there's no football to talk about. And by the way, I went near campus the other day and had this exact thought: "When I was here, I couldn't wait to leave. Now whenever I come near it, I miss it like crazy."
