"John Moore, thenxtgoldberg," 3/31/2005

(Chief opinion: VeryFor)

I can certainly understand that SOMEONE, somewhere is offended by the chief. This statement is based on the fact that everywhere you go, you will offend someone with something. People get offended by the fact that others discipline their children in public. So, in saying that, why would some ONE person not start a ridiculous offensive argument on a "mascot" that "depicts" a culture/people?? The problem with this is that most of the people who are against The Chief - and I say that with THE UTMOST REVERENCE! - do NOT understand what the symbolism of it all stands for. Out of respect, The Chief is absent through the entire game until halftime, when he makes his appearance to perform a ritualistic dance - WHETHER OR NOT IT IS A TRUE ILLINI TRIBE DANCE OR NOT!! and do some research and you will be surprised at how this said dance was given to the University to use - that is performed with the RESPECT of the fans. The fans - all Illini fans and to be honest as well, almost all opposing team fans realize the meaning of The Chief and have respect for him and show it by standing and being silent - all stand in reverence and participation of the "ritual", only to have The Chief stop and PRAY FOR VICTORY as the Illini faithful sing the Alma Mater. As The Chief prays, the fans hold their hands up to the sky in prayer as well, NOT OUT OF DISRESPECT OR MEANINGLESS GESTURES, and then, when the dance continues, the fans again watch in respect until the end of the dance and out of respect for the school as well as the symbolism cry CHIEF because this symbol, ritual, or whatever one wishes to call it is RESPECTED as a part of the school, as a tradition, AS WELL AS - and this is absolutely KEY - a reverent monument ( I use that term because you do not ever see a statue or any type of material monument to The Chief) to the symbols and people The Chief represents. If you all would do some research into how the tradition started, how the "costume"/clothing for The Chief came about, and who is eligible to be selected to represent The Chief you would find that this is not a "MASCOT", nor is it meant to disrespect anyone. It is a symbol of a fighting spirit that holds its faith in a higher power and is true to what it believes in.

"John Moore, thenxtgoldberg," via the web.