My temptation is to follow the lead of national and local media and use this space to rave and rant about the despicable act perpetrated on the trees at Auburn. I am not going to do that.

Football rivalry has been part of my life from as far back as I remember. I was raised in a University of Texas family. I have laughed at the stories of what my daddy and uncles did to the Texas Aggies and other schools in the state. I’ve also laughed at what was done to them in the name of rivalry. I can add my own stories to the legacy and proudly say that it was all in good fun and no damage was done that a little paint thinner couldn’t fix. I know about rivalries. They’re fun, or should be. It is part of the tradition of college football. Long live rivalries! I understand them. I participate in them.

What I do not understand is the hatred. Now that there has been an arrest, the hate is coming out on both sides. Really; death threats? Please forgive the mini rant. I want to focus on the positive side of this embarrassment, which, as is often the case, will get very little publicity.

The day after the arrest, I was listening to the same radio program that is part of this incident. A caller who owns a tree service said that the trees in question, if they die, can be replaced, and that his company has done the procedure many times. He went on to say that he, and his three sons, all graduates of Alabama, are appalled by the killing of this tradition. The man said he and his boys have contacted “their alumni organization” and are setting up a campaign to collect donations to replace the trees. He went on to say he would do the work.

What did the radio host say? “Thanks for the call,” and moved on without comment. It wasn’t sensational. It didn’t raise the ire of people. In fact, the opposite is true. It soothed my rancor and got me to thinking.

Did I really want to lambast the parties in all this? I could throw my fuel on the fire, but I was looking for the good in it. Good is out there and it is still in the majority.

There are thousands on both sides of this rivalry that should continue to enjoy it. They will continue to have fun insulting each other, taking swipes at each other’s mascots and all the pranks associated with a rivalry. There will also be those who hate. It is our responsibility, as it has always been, to keep them in the minority.

To sum it up, this column is about rivalries, good vs. evil, and football. That’s a pretty good microcosm of life isn’t it? I am not a fan of either school, but I look forward to next season and wish both sides the best, but woe unto the Texas Aggies. You beat us last year, but we “Tea Sippers” have plans for you. Let the fun continue.

David Wilson Atwood is a local freelance writer whose human-interest columns offer a unique perspective. He may be contacted at david@starchasers.us.