Anybody with good ideas, I'm all ears. I hate the fact that the outcome of a game played by 18-22 year olds ruins my day. Logically, I should just be able to say, "That sucked" and move on with the rest of my day. How do you not get so emotionally invested?
How do you disconnect emotionally from this whole thing?
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I've learned to do it. I just keep telling myself it's just a FOOTBALL GAME and that it affects nothing in "real life". Yes, it sucks and it would have been amazing for Iowa to win, but there are much more important things in life than football. I used to soooooo emotionally invested but then I realized it isn't worth all that. All football is is some entertainment for a few hours on Saturday. IT'S A GAME in the end.
Doesn't mean I am not heartbroken about the loss, just that it isn't worth losing sleep over or having it affect the rest of my life.
Doesn't mean I am not heartbroken about the loss, just that it isn't worth losing sleep over or having it affect the rest of my life.
here's how I did it: started in like 2012. drove clear up there, 1000 miles, to watch iowa play in IC -a pathetic, horrible game against penn st. it sucked so bad. I gave up. penn st 38 iowa 14
that was sooooo bad. I really gave up
in 2013 I did not even go to a game up there in IC
in 2014 I go to the Nebraska game and iowa tried like crazy to lose it and they did, then they played such a pathetic bowl that it was so useless but I had given up anywho
so when they play the greg davis style of football against msu- bau
tough to get all emotional about it, I really did not like the bcs and not really a fan of this playoff
I would get more emotional if it were back to the old system of going to the rose bowl when you have a no loss season or one loss season
that was sooooo bad. I really gave up
in 2013 I did not even go to a game up there in IC
in 2014 I go to the Nebraska game and iowa tried like crazy to lose it and they did, then they played such a pathetic bowl that it was so useless but I had given up anywho
so when they play the greg davis style of football against msu- bau
tough to get all emotional about it, I really did not like the bcs and not really a fan of this playoff
I would get more emotional if it were back to the old system of going to the rose bowl when you have a no loss season or one loss season
Haven't figured it out. I know in my head I should be happy with the tremendous turn around and the gutsy performance last night. But my heart aches.
Don't let it have any effect on your life outside the 3 hour game. It's just a game and there are more important things in life.
You get a life. Sorry to sound harsh, im a hawkeye too. But its just a game. You say that sucked and u move on
Hug the kids, bang the wife, visit family, go hunting. You know, do anything that involves real life because this football game is just that; a game. It's not real life and has nothing to do with anything in your life.
This. Think about the things that really matter; your family and friends, banging Legion's wife, etc.
I spent the evening texting with a players Mom. Her son is devastated. Heartbroken. My thoughts/feelings/emotions about last night pale in comparison to those of the guys who actually played the game. By 3:00 this afternoon I will move on to getting excited about the bowl game. Getting to watch this team play one more time. The pain she is in because of the pain her son is suffering is real. It will linger.
I used to get extremely angry, so here is what I've done since 1985 for almost all Hawkeye games (except bowl and home games....I have season tickets so I obviously can't do this for home games):
I don't watch. I record the game and watch if they win. Losses still hurt, but nowhere near as bad. No matter how I try, I just get too emotional. Had I watched last night, I would have gone ballistic. I never throw things, but would have been angry and upset, and not gotten any sleep.
Stupid to act that way? For a 57 year old man....yes. But I found a way to lick it, and I am much better off!
I don't watch. I record the game and watch if they win. Losses still hurt, but nowhere near as bad. No matter how I try, I just get too emotional. Had I watched last night, I would have gone ballistic. I never throw things, but would have been angry and upset, and not gotten any sleep.
Stupid to act that way? For a 57 year old man....yes. But I found a way to lick it, and I am much better off!
I do the exact same thing. There are times when I put past heartbreak aside and go to the games. The last three times I've done that are last night, 2014 Nebraska game, and the Illinois basketball game two years ago when we lost on a last second shot. A theme is emerging. Don't know how much more my heart can take.
Other Bowl losses were different. The Rose Bowl losses were really hard to take, but this one was really a quarterfinal game. Iowa actually was right there to win the league title and to move on.
That was a great game and also a stinging loss. Iowa gained a lot of national street credit last night but the win was there to be had. it will take a little time to get over.
That was a great game and also a stinging loss. Iowa gained a lot of national street credit last night but the win was there to be had. it will take a little time to get over.
The first step is admitting it's a problem. So you're there.
The second is talking to someone that isn't a fan and trying to convince them this is normal. Reminds me how riddiculous this whole thing is.
And I'm not depressed at all today. That was a fun night! Had we gotten blown out or something I'd be struggling. We couldn't get a few yards to put them away and they did. No big deal
The second is talking to someone that isn't a fan and trying to convince them this is normal. Reminds me how riddiculous this whole thing is.
And I'm not depressed at all today. That was a fun night! Had we gotten blown out or something I'd be struggling. We couldn't get a few yards to put them away and they did. No big deal
It's all perspective. As a Royals fan, 2014 was awesome because after they won the improbable wild card game, the rest was gravy. Sure, I wish Gordon had scored in Game 7, but it had been 29 years since they even made the playoffs.
After last year as a Hawkeye fan, my expectations were low. After they won their 8th game, they had already exceeded my expectations. The rest was gravy. Iowa hasn't been this close to a championship in over 50 years, and it was completely improbable.
I couldn't, wouldn't be more proud of them even if they had won last night. Sure, I would have liked a goal line stop, but the ride, the journey, the turnaround has been one of the neatest things I've experienced in my life.
After last year as a Hawkeye fan, my expectations were low. After they won their 8th game, they had already exceeded my expectations. The rest was gravy. Iowa hasn't been this close to a championship in over 50 years, and it was completely improbable.
I couldn't, wouldn't be more proud of them even if they had won last night. Sure, I would have liked a goal line stop, but the ride, the journey, the turnaround has been one of the neatest things I've experienced in my life.
It sucks, but if anyone woulda told you at the beginning of year thus was the outcome, you woulda taken it in a heartbeat. Don't dwell on outcome, cherish the ride.
I wanted the Chicago Bulls to win an NBA Title so badly in the early Jordan years.
Then, when it finally happened, guess what?
It was nice, and definitely enjoyable for awhile. But, then another season starts and your just the defending champs, and everything is about "now" again.
Best thing is to just realize it is just a game. Enjoy the season as a whole.
Time to rally and get behind this team for a great Bowl game.
Then, when it finally happened, guess what?
It was nice, and definitely enjoyable for awhile. But, then another season starts and your just the defending champs, and everything is about "now" again.
Best thing is to just realize it is just a game. Enjoy the season as a whole.
Time to rally and get behind this team for a great Bowl game.
You don't. You enjoy the ride and be a man about handling this disappointment like any others. You shake it off and keep moving forward.
I'm still so happy that our Hawks went 12-1 and played in our first big ten champtionship game. Furthermore, we get one more game to show the country what Iowa football is all about.
I'm still so happy that our Hawks went 12-1 and played in our first big ten champtionship game. Furthermore, we get one more game to show the country what Iowa football is all about.
I think what makes it hurt more is that for many of us, Iowa's success this year was a beacon of hope for better things and something that was good in our lives, when so many of us are dealing with other parts of our lives that have been worse than they've ever been recently and we feel the need for something happening that gives us a respite from that. With financial and physical health affecting me and those around me, difficulty in many relationships and those who I know with others, death of those close to me like my mom last weekend, and dealing with being unemployed, I think that makes this loss of Iowa so much harder for many of us this year than it would have been in other years, when the rest of our lives weren't so stressful as they are for so many of us now.
I'm still thankful for so many of the good memories that coach Ferentz and these great group of kids gave us this year to help us more than perhaps many of us really imagine. As bad as they might feel today, I hope that message gets to them so they can feel as good as they should about what they've accomplished this year. Just hope they get to the Rose Bowl and end the season on a great note that on balance will make it as great a season as we've ever known for Hawkeye fans!
I'm still thankful for so many of the good memories that coach Ferentz and these great group of kids gave us this year to help us more than perhaps many of us really imagine. As bad as they might feel today, I hope that message gets to them so they can feel as good as they should about what they've accomplished this year. Just hope they get to the Rose Bowl and end the season on a great note that on balance will make it as great a season as we've ever known for Hawkeye fans!
Like good golfers when they screw up a shot...always lots of them...get upset, take the pain, walk it off...and forget about it and start focusing on the next shot (the only thing that you have an affect on)...take the pain, focus on the next game and year. It is painful and there is always lots of that to go around...pick up your gear, move out.
The resilient hurt...but then find another joy as they press on...to what awaits.
The resilient hurt...but then find another joy as they press on...to what awaits.
That's a good suggestion, but for people that don't have time or money to do that, this is still an issue for them too. For some it is just trying to find some place to live if they can't afford to pay a hotel bill to stay another week in a hotel room. I know at least two people close to me who've been dealing with circumstances like that. I'm not speaking just for myself, but for many I know now who are also facing very tough times in their lives too. And many of them who I am also trying to help out now, have it worse off than I do. Those who are well off don't realize how rough these times are for many out there, and how even just a winning sports team can bring something to feel good about in to their lives, that might be missing something like that in just about everything else they are dealing with.
How to disconnect emotionally from last night's loss? Well, it certainly helps when you find out that your Hawks are invited to the New Year's Day Rose Bowl, and Sparty is relegated to a night-before game? 
Face it, those semi-final football playoff games (Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl) are just another bowl game. Only the national championship game on 1/11 is really special.
Face it, those semi-final football playoff games (Orange Bowl and Cotton Bowl) are just another bowl game. Only the national championship game on 1/11 is really special.by realizing that letting disappointment and anger linger over something you can't control is dumb.
I would love someone to do thie highlights to this sound track and end with the standing ovation of the Hawkeyes at the end..
I was in morning until the committee voted us 5 and invited us to the ROSE BOWL. Even the eventual National Champ (Unless its Clemson which I doubt) will have a loss. At least our one loss is to a Playoff team. If we go 13-1 and beat Stanford in the ROSE we will be #3 or #4 in the final rankings pretty outstanding!!!
That's like winning lotto and being upset you won $2 million and not $3 million. Life is great and so is being a Hawkeye today!
That's like winning lotto and being upset you won $2 million and not $3 million. Life is great and so is being a Hawkeye today!
Well when your favorite teams are the Hawks, Cubs and Detroit Lions you learn to just accept the fact that they are going to blow it and when they don't you cherish it. See you at the rose bowl it could be a while before we are back.
I used to be in a bad mood but then realize why I'm upset and that makes me snap out of it. A good workout will. Change your mood.
I used to be in a bad mood but then realize why I'm upset and that makes me snap out of it. A good workout will. Change your mood.
I hear ya, but dude, don't let it ruin your day...
Oh yeah, and we're in the Rose Bowl!!!!! Never thought I'd see it again during my lifetime. Sure feels good. I wish I could have recorded this season full of memories.
