I have been a member of Double-T Nation for over 2 years.  And I've been silently reading the posts everyone has been blowing this site up with the past week or so.  And I have to say, I am ashamed of the way our fans are handling this. 

As some of us have put it, we did not get our degrees from Mike Leach, we got them from Texas Tech.  There is always, always, going to be individuals in life who we don't agree with, and it's gonna make us passionate.  But I am completely appalled that some "fans" are refusing to support Tech football, and are pulling money from the school because of what happened.  Really?  Seriously? (FYI - you can tell donor relations where you want your money to go. Don't want it at football? Don't put it there. Move it elsewhere, like the classroom.)  This is why UT, aTm, and other universities call us classless.  I'm sorry, but if you went to Tech, graduated from Tech, and only have pride in one thing - the old football coach - that is just sad. 

I graduated from Tech in 2007 and I have never been more proud of my school.  I loved the friends I made, the experiences I had, and most importantly, I loved the pride everyone had in wearing red and black, and throwing their guns up.  I was a Raider Recruiter back when they had them, and our boys on the team make up the team.  Football isn't about one person.  It's about 100 players who work their tales off to be the best unit they can be.  By refusing to support them, we are saying the team is nothing without Leach.  Give these boys some credit!  THEY were the ones on the field, making plays.  THEY were the ones throwing the ball, making catches, interceptions, tackles, sacks, etc.  I didn't see Leach throw, catch or tackle once.  Did you?  So lets be real. 

We may not agree with what happened, I know I certainly don't.  I don't appreciate how the situation was handled, and I am a Leach supporter no matter what.   But I am a much bigger supporter of Texas Tech and our football TEAM.  If you are gonna base your love of Tech or our program on only one thing, jump off the bandwagon already.  Support our boys and what they are about to go through.  Lets show some support for them.  The players.  And try to make the new coach feel welcome, whoever he may be.  The Leach era was GREAT, but let's open our arms to the new guy.  We are Tech fans for a reason....we're passionate, crazy, dedicated for a reason.  So please, lets remember why that is.

Michael Crabtree,

I am a personal fan of yours.  You won't remember, but I met you and helped recruit you at Texas Tech.  You were, and still are, a phenominal player.  You are a major reason why Tech was on the map last year.  Without your athletic ability and sick hands, we wouldn't have had a chance to rise to #2 in the rankings.  You said you would stay another year; you left.  Can't say I blame you, with NFL fame knocking at my door.

Draft time came, and you slipped 3 below what you expected.  We could all see the disappointment and shock on your face.  You still went top 10.  You still went to a great team.  You still are making millions of dollars.  So I ask: why are you holding out?  You're attitude about money makes you look like a diva.  You are given a chance to play pro ball, a chance that not many people will ever get the opportunity to experience, and you are taking advantage of it.  If you want more money, earn it on the field.  Simple as that.  You are making infinitely more than most young and old people will ever see in their lifetime.  People have been calling you a diva, saying you have an attitude problem and claiming you aren't as good as you think you are, and unfortunately you are proving them right.  You have literally been handed a gift, and don't forget millions of dollars, to do the one thing you love: play football.  Don't mess it up.  Prove people wrong.  Stop holding out in hope of making a few extra Benjamins.  Do what you are born to do.  PLAY.

As a fan, I ask you.  Stop holding out.  Take the money, and make a difference for your pro team.  Play the game.  You are letting the game play you.  Show what you have out on the field and I can guarantee more money will come in.  But please, Michael Crabtree.....stop the money war and just play football already.

-Frustrated Fan

I just read on scout.com that Jonathan Stewart has committed to Texas A&M.  No offense to the Aggies, but I don't really understand why a player like Stewart would want to go to a school with such a terrible record and no chance of really becoming a powerhouse again for a couple of years.  I think he should use his talent elsewhere (cough cough TTU) and make something of himself.  Signing day is still 1 day away and he could change his mind, but reading that made me a little sad.

http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?sFirstName=jonathan&sLastName=stewart&yr=2009&s=73&p=9&c=11&cfg=null

Leach IS NOT going to Washington or Auburn!

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2008/12/auburn_is_considering_houston.html

That relieves one more ounce of stress.

rivals.com has an article on Crabtree supposedly saying he's going to stay at Tech next year....it makes me wonder if he's actually telling the truth, or just keeping it to himself since he can't declare eligibility until January.  I can't say I'd blame him if he went, with the record year he had and being a sure-thing first round draft pick.  It just doesn't sit well with me that he may be lying....I can't know for sure until the eligibility date comes and goes, but I like truth and honesty from people, especially big-time players like Crab, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that he stays true to his word and stays for one more year.

Also, thoughts on Graham's comment on Leach being likely to go?

http://windowsxp-privacy.net/?id=12193338844

I love Graham, he's a great guy and an amazing QB, but I think in this situation he should have pleaded the 5th.

Checking the polls this morning, I was pleasantly surprised to see us at lucky #7.  Maybe I'm a little biased because it's my favorite number, but it brought us good luck earlier this season.  We were ranked #7 when we beat Texas.  We stayed number 7 for a few weeks before that game.  And that got us some respect.  I'm SO proud of our boys, I couldn't have asked for a better season.  I didn't think I'd be alive (at least have rational brain function) before I saw Tech pound their way into the top 10 for an entire season.  They surpassed all my expectations and things can only go up.  We're legit, even though the "expert" ESPN analysts may seem to enjoy ripping us a new one.  I find it pretty interesting that they focus so much on us, whether good press or bad.  OSU didn't get the kind of coverage when they lost to us.  Florida hasn't, Penn State hasn't, heck even Texas didn't when they lost.  Yet everyone can't get enough of us.  I don't really care that we lost to OU.  I'm proud to be 11-1 (come on, we're not losing to Baylor) and I'm already looking forward to next season.  It's a damn good day to be a Red Raider. 

Coach Leach is currently in 16th place, and we all know he deserves it this year more than ever:

The Liberty Mutual

Coach of the Year Award provides each winning coach with $50,000 to donate to one or more charitable organizations of his choice and a $20,000 grant to donate to his school's alumni association to enhance student scholarships and activities. As of last year, $300,000 has been donated to charity, and $100,000 given to alumni associations.

Go to www.coachoftheyear.com and PLEASE VOTE!!!  Leach AND Texas Tech deserve this!

Wreck 'Em Tech!

I found this online to vote for your Heisman candidate.  Colt McCoy is winning at the moment, and we need to show our support for Graham and Crab!  Graham is tied for 3rd place with 9% of the vote, and Crab only has 4%   The link is below, click and vote, and get everyone you know to vote too so our guys can win.  They deserve it!  Guns Up!

http://www.nissanusa.com/about/events/heisman/index.html