Alabama and Georgia played for the National Championship on Monday night.
This public service announcement is meant for UCF fans and a segment of the Central Florida community delirious with Knight Fever.
It's highly contagious, infectious, and makes people lose sight of reality.
I get it. The Knights had a wonderful, spectacular, breath-taking, undefeated season, with just one hitch: They didn't win the National Championship.
Why yes, the college football Power 5 cartel had much to do with that. But the fact remains that it's not a good look when you start celebrating stuff that you actually haven't won, even if you didn't get invited to the party.
For everyone who screams, 'we can do what we like and show the world the system is flawed,' there are sarcastic eye-rolls from others who think it's all too much, and it cheapens your great accomplishments.
Parades, proclamations, championship T-shirts, championship rings, trophies, and all other sorts of yada-yada. My colleague Mike Bianchi is leading the charge on this, bless his little soul. You can even find a meme of him on Facebook, in a Superman outfit. The caption reads: "He's faster than a speeding bullet, balder than a bald eagle..He's UCF's Hero Mike Bianchi!"
Sigh. Does this make me Lex Luthor?
To be clear, it's not the celebration. It's the excess celebration. Way over-the-top. And I am not alone. Consider this from a huge UCF fan and friend who reached out on Facebook:
"UCF is turning a cool moment into a joke. Having the parade at Disney is bs."
This is called jumping the shark.
And we will have more of that Monday night.
"In recognition of UCF Football's perfect season and national championship, the City of Orlando, the Downtown Development Board and the University of Central Florida will host a FREE block party on Church Street. This family-friendly event will begin at 6 p.m. and include a pep rally, National Championship recognition, and much more."
You too Mayor Dyer? I thought you were a Gator Man?
Sigh.
Maybe I'll just cave in, show up, and buy a #FakeNews National Championship T-shirt. Assuming Bianchi hasn't taken me out with his Super Powers.
Charge on and stay thirsty my friends.
