Nebraska Cornhuskers Football: Traditions Are Meant To Be Amended

Matt Ryerson-USA TODAY Sports

The Nebraska Cornhuskers are one of the most tradition rich programs in the nation. For decades there have been thousands of people showing up for every game at Memorial Stadium wearing scarlet and cheering on their Huskers.

Minutes before the game kicks off you have dueling chants of “Husker” and “Power” until Alan Parsons Project’s “Sirius” signals the beginning of The Tunnel Walk. Everyone’s attention is turned to the giant Husker Vision screens and the video intro plays. Bo Pelini and his team begin the walk towards Tom Osborne Field while the crowd claps in unison with the music. Then the doors swing open and with the stars and stripes accompanying them, the team rushes the field.

We have witnessed this for years now. They are just a few of the traditions that we have become accustomed to. The thing is, all of these traditions have been pieced together over decades. When Bob Devaney led his team onto the field there was no tunnel walk to watch, no music blaring through loud speakers. You had the marching band and the fans. That was it. That was the tradition.

In the years since the aforementioned Tunnel Walk with bells and whistles have taken hold as mainstays of Husker game day. This Saturday we have the opportunity to do something a little different. For the first time in history, The Nebraska Cornhuskers will wear black alternate jerseys against UCLA. Nebraska’s best know player has suggested that fans join in.

There has also been a call by the students for the first ever blackout at Memorial Stadium. While the concept is a great one, many fans will balk at the idea of wearing anything other than red. I understand the tradition of wearing red. We have only heard “Sea of Red” a millions times living in Nebraska and following the program. There is nothing wrong with it, it’s what Husker fans do.

Saturday is an opportunity that should not go without consideration. For one day “The Red Sea” can become “The Black Sea” in support of the Huskers. While it would be a different site from the view of a camera, it does not take away from the traditions that have been built. You can’t tell me that a different color shirt would take away from the solidarity of over ninety  thousand people screaming at the top of their lungs for a common cause. It is an opportunity to amend a tradition, even if only for one day. I hope it happens. I have wanted to see Nebraska play in black jerseys as far back as I can remember, and it would be cool to see the crowd do the same.