I BLEED BLUE

FLASH BACK TO MARCH 28, 1992 - Is it really 15 years ago today????

There is nothing on TV so we were channel surfing and had the "guide" on the screen reading the pathetic offerings. One caught my attention, it read something like this, "PAST GREAT COLLEGE BASKETBALL GAME".

I mumbled and muttered and cursed knowing there is only one game that deserves that title.

Do you remember where you were when the University of Kentucky was beat by Duke in the Regional Final to advance to the Final Four? The score 104 - 103 in overtime?

If you are a True Blue Kentucky fan, that question certainly is answered with a resounding, if not disgusted and slightly choking, holding back tears, "Oh yea...."

I recently read that Richie Farmer said everyone remembers the little details.

I remember my details concerning that night.


I was dating a nice guy named Steve (way before Joe) and we decided to go the The World Famous Two Keys Tavern to watch the game. A week prior to that, we had gone to the Metallica concert where Steve, a normally mild mannered God Fearing Christian, was corrupted from the influence of a heavy metal band. (your mother was right)!

Two Keys was packed. Another regional final was being played down the street at Rupp Arena. Many of the fans of the teams that played the first game were also packed into Two Keys. We were wall to wall, shoulder to shoulder. Steve is not a drinker, but the beer was flowing that evening. Pitcher after pitcher arrived and was consumed by our new best friends. I need not describe the game, as it has earned itself accolades as the greatest college basketball game ever played. That evening, in the tavern on the fringe of the UK campus, you felt it, you knew it. The roar of the crowd was deafening. Everyone on their feet cheering and screaming. Beer mugs held high sloshing beer over the jubilant crowd.

The next thing I knew, UK had pulled ahead and it looked as if they were going to win the game! Steve climbed up on a table, and began to chant, "F*** you Duke, F***you Duke", shaking his beer mug at the tv.

Suddenly, everyone in the whole Two Keys Tavern began to chant with him , "F***YOU DUKE F***YOU DUKE F***YOUDUKE"

Then THE shot. Silence. Dead silence as people realized what had happened. Steve was helped down from the table. People were stunned. Some actually began to cry in disbelief and horror.

I took Steve home. I really had corrupted that man.