Gridiron Belles

South Carolina v Auburn in Columbia, SC

1) The Gamecock’s AP and Coache’s Poll ranking may have gone down, but they sky rocketed in the Gridiron Belles Poll

2) South Carolinians use the Palmetto symbol more than Texans use the lone star.

3) Prayer trumps all stereotypes within the stadium. And at the post office.

I arrived in Columbia, SC on Wednesday before the Auburn game to give a brief talk to the South Carolina Kappa Deltas about business etiquette and SEC football. I was told that it would be a small crowd of about 50 girls because there was a bible study at the same time that most members attended.

Thursday, I spent a substantial amount of time at the local post office where I was told to “have a blessed day” by workers and patrons alike… for no other reason than maybe my hands looked full and I could have been glistening.

Friday, at LaRoque clothing store, the owner and her friend Elizabeth (GIB Tailgater of the Game) told me they met at church.

The next day at the game, while I stood and placed my hand on my heart for my favorite part of the game, the National Anthem, I was surprised when the “voice of god” no pun intended, asked the entire stadium to bow our heads in prayer.

Let’s be clear.This wasn’t a quick, generic prayer that you’ve heard 100 times before. This was someone down on the field, in synch with the Divine, talking to the Divine and asking the Divine to bless the players, coaches, fans, opponents, and the Palmetto state. True story. The prayer went on for at least 4 minutes. You can imagine all of the things blessed in that amount of time.

I felt like I was responding to the prayer/petitions of the people at church on Sundays. Just about everywhere I turned, it seemed like the Gamecocks and Tigers needed a prayer refill…

South Carolina fans commenting on the improvement of the marching band as more significant than the football players indicates a long game ahead. Pray for us.

Auburn’s Michael Dyer carries the ball down the field 1000 times. He then gets walked off the field by trainers. Pray for us.

South Carolina’s Garcia can’t seem to connect with one receiver. Someone in the stands suggests adding liquor to Garcia’s Gatorade. Pray for us.

Displaced Auburn fan disguised in garnet and black is spotted. Pray for us.

Auburn’s quarterback Trotter took the snap. The ball is in his hands. Please pray for us.

One extra second left on the game clock didn’t get played. Whoops. Pray for us.

South Carolina fan immediately sells his season tickets to the lowest bidder. Pray for us.

Sloppiest game I’ve seen in a long time. Pray for us.

Aforementioned disguised Auburn fan didn’t brag or partake in trash talking after a win. Pray for us.

Aside from all the praying and the need for all of the praying on the field, I must say, South Carolina Belles, Gents, tailgaters and fans deserve some credit for being wonderful. Four and a half days in Columbia and I not only figured out how to correctly say “Gervais Street” and “Huger Road” but I have a whole new group of friends, I felt a part of the community and I feel more than comfortable launching USC near the top of the Gridiron Belles poll.

Thank you to my wonderful hosts, Reeve and Scott Ballew. My new favorite place to shop in Columbia, La Roque. My new favorite USC tailgaters, Elizabeth and Wesley Donehue, Allison and Joel Hughes and Morgan and George Crouch. My new media friends, 107.5 The Game, 97.5 WOC and Chloe from The Gamecock. The Columbia parking enforcement team…. You got me this time… twice… but I’ll be back!

I may never look at a crescent moon the same way again… but then again, Saturday is three days away so I’m likely to be swooned all over again.  Yep, go a head, Pray for us.

Xs and Os, Christie Leigh