Rip it Off or Cut it Out? The Kansas Chant
October 11, 2008 by Allison Boyer
Filed under Football
Since 2003, Kansas students have a strange tradition. At kickoff, they yell “Rip his fucking head off.” Ok, I guess it isn’t that strange – if you’ve seen Adam Sandler’s The Water Boy, you now that a fan yells that in the movie.
Problem is, this isn’t a movie. There are a lot of young fans in the audience and watching TV, and some think that this cheer is embarrassing and inappropriate. On Thursday, Kansas coach Mark Mangino actually sent out an email to the students, asking them to forget the chant.
Still, for some, it is just a fun tradition. Even some of the team members stand behind it – senior linebacker Joe Mortensen said that it is motivation. Students ignored the requests to censor their shout and yelled it again today, causing the alumni and other fans to boo loudly.
I can see both sides on this one. There are other, non-offensive ways to cheer on Kansas, but maybe people are being a little too sensitive. What do you think?
Picture via Newscom.
When Roy Williams asked the student body to stop shouting “a$$___” after the opposing team made their free throw shot, we stopped doing it. Yes, we liked doing it, but it was low class and I’m glad Roy had the class to ask us to cut it out.
Now, it’s up to the latest generation of Jayhawkers to rise to the occasion and find something else to shout. KU fans should have more class than shouting that. Be more creative than what you’re doing now.
Seriously, guys and gals, Adam Sandler movie quotes as ‘motivation’? Please.
Austen L. Onek, AMS Broadcast Meteorologist
University of Kansas – Class of ‘91