Forever Red: Confessions of a Cornhusker Football Fan

by Steve Smith

On any given workday, any little thing might send Steve Smith’s thoughts spinning back to Saturday—last Saturday, Saturday two weeks ago, Saturday two years ago, back into the thrilling minutiae of game day—until reality reminds him: this is not how well-adjusted adults act. Steve Smith is not a well-adjusted adult. He’s a Nebraska football fan, and this is his rollicking account of what it’s like to be one of those legendary enthusiasts whose passion for the Cornhuskers is at once alarming and hilarious.

 

A journey into an obsessed Nebraska fan’s soul, Forever Red immerses readers in the mad, mad world of Cornhusker football fandom—where wearing the scarlet-and-cream Huskers gear has its own peculiar rules; where displaced followers act as the program’s ambassadors, finding Cornhusker subculture beyond the pale; and where the team’s performance can barely keep pace with its followers’ expectations but sometimes exceeds their wildest dreams. Blending wit and insight, Smith’s story of twenty-plus years following the team takes readers back to memorable game moments from 1980 to the new era under coach Bill Callahan, offering the uninitiated and the fellow fanatic alike a window on the world where fantasy and football meet, where dreams of glory and gritty gridiron realities forever join.

176 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2005

About the author

Steve [5^] Smith

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forever Red is a diary style book chronicling the authors lifetime experiences and how they relate to being a fan of Nebraska Football. I really related to this book as the author is near my same age and nearly some of the same experiences I've had over my course as a fan. I felt for the author as he moved away from the state right before the glory years of the mid 90's and was forced to find alternate means to follow his team. There are some flat out amazing chapters in this book. The one on Scott Frost really stood out to me as well as the one where he finally got to celebrate that long awaited National Title for the 1994 season. Another favorite were the authors recollections of some of the side attractions for the student section. If you were a student at UNL in the 1980's, who could forget the Husker Bob, Mad Mike, The Hopping Cop and the SEEEVEN UP! guy! This is a must read for any Husker fan. I really wish the author would write a follow up as this one was published in 2006.

[marcus miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book loaned to me by my English teacher friend who is a rabid Nebraska fan. I am sure this book would be most interesting to other Nebraska football fans and perhaps those who for whatever reason, might want to try to understand what makes at least one Nebraska fan tick. People who follow college football closely may enjoy it as well. My friend described it as a bit like Fever Pitch (though he only saw the baseball movie version, and hadn't read the book based on soccer) but unfortunately it didn't approach that level, at least for me, as this book didn't have a narrative in the same way Fever Pitch did. Still it would have been interesting to hear what the author had to say about the Bill Callahan years, or better yet, talk to him after they lost to Iowa State this past season. Actually, he probably would not have been all that pleasant to be around after that particular loss.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a Cornhusker book, of course it's great.

Steve Smith outlines the intricacies of being a Nebraska Football fan that I know you will either completely identify with, or have zero idea why a person would put themselves through such things. The inside-look to the craziness that comes with being a fan is truly hilarious - that is - if you're also one of them. When all else fails, and your team is about to lose - take a shower. Read it, you'll understand.

It doesn't go up to the current events obviously, but he captures the feelings many felt through the thick and thin of the 1970's until 2007.

The highest of highs mirrored the 1970-1971 seasons in the 90's and in 1995, Nebraska fielded the best team of college football history. Author Steve Smith details his trials and tribulations throughout his ride.

[Chad · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. First purchased when I was a student at UNL myself. It perfectly encapsulated why I will be 'forever red.' A hilarious insight into the world of a kid growing up inside Husker Nation. Mr. Smith's (aka Red Clad Loon) brand of nostalgic and humorous story telling will have you harkening back to the days of watching Nebraska football on grainy TV sets or listening to Lyell Bremser on the radio.

[Valerie Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had to read a football book as the season approaches. I laughed and can fully relate because I am also Forever Red. Mr. Smith, I will think of you and other red-clad loons every Football Saturday. Thanks for the good read.