By Jeff Alba for DieHardDevil.com

Since its inception, the mission of DieHardDevil.com has been to build a stronger, louder and more unified Sun Devil Nation. A big part of that mission includes asking all Sun Devil fans a basic question… Are you a DieHard Devil?  If the answer is yes, then “prove it.” It’s a simple yet essential question as it relates to being a part of the movement to build our program into the best it can be. Since last Saturday’s heartbreaking loss to UCLA on a last-second field goal, there have been reports of fans booing during the game and suddenly jumping off the Todd Graham “bandwagon” on social media sites. Honestly, these are the type of fans that shouldn’t be allowed through the entrance gates at Sun Devil Stadium. There is no doubt that part of being a DieHard Devil is having expectations of success from the football program, which includes the Athletic Department, the coaches, players and yes… the Fans. However, along with those high expectations comes the responsibility of the fans to support the team through both victory and adversity.

DieHardDevil. Are You? Prove It.

Earlier this week two influential people in the Sun Devil community,  former ASU football player Kyle Caldwell and House of Sparky editor Brad Denny, shared their voices and responded to this select group of fans, holding them accountable for their knee jerk reactions.

Caldwell didn’t hold back on social media by calling out these negative, bandwagon fans. He spoke the truth about what we all need to do to support our ASU football program today and moving forward. Here are excerpts from some of his comments…

“After a 5-3 start NO ONE should be booing the hard work being put in. 5-3 is where many people had this program at this point in the year. The future is being built, and CTG and crew are doing an excellent job! Great things are coming to Tempe under the CTG watch. I can promise you that. Gotta keep speaking the victory and it will all come! Truly hope all those out there can see and understand all the intangibles in place and realize that.

There is no place for boos in SDS. Not this year. I just really hope that everyone who appreciates Sun Devil Football can be honest with themselves this season. We all have high expectations every single year. There is no doubt about that.

But it is up to the fans to help build this program. It could not be more destructive to see a half empty stadium and many of those who are there booing when they get frustrated. That is not how you motivate your players and that is not how you help the recruiting front. The fans need to really realize that on game day and get more involved in positive fashion. I’m reflecting on my own feelings as a player right now because I witnessed this all first hand and this staff/team does not deserve all of this.”  You can follow Caldwell and receive his tweets at @TheCoggs50

ALL IN.

Denny also took advantage of his reach to Sun Devil fans and asked them to make a simple choice. Basically, are you in or are you out? Here is a brief snapshot from his article on House of Sparky…

“So Sun Devil fans have a choice to make.  Do they try to settle down, come to an understanding of the situation and support the team during this rebuilding process? Or do they continue to go round and round in an unstable relationship, falling in love after a few wins in a row, and then threatening to throw their season tickets out onto the front lawn after a couple losses? As a fan, you should be mad about losing. You should expect better. But you should also see the whole picture. It’s easy to cheer for a winner. It’s another to be there for your team, your alma mater, your hometown boys through thick and thin and the ride back to thick again. Which are you going to be?”  Read the rest of the article here

Caldwell and Denny are both DieHard Devils, and they “proved it” by their actions this week. Are you doing your part to support and build this program, or are you tearing it down at the first sign of adversity? Dedicated fans speak victory and believe that the passion, commitment and decisions made by new leadership are building the foundation of a consistent winning program, the likes of which we have not seen for years. In the process, here is what DieHard Sun Devils should expect from our players and coaches each week: That they fight for every inch on every play, knowing they left nothing but their best on the field.  When they take that approach for every game, we will have our team’s back despite the result. If our Devils don’t come out with the Win, it’s okay to get frustrated, ask questions and consider all the angles where we went wrong. That means you’re invested and care about your program. So before, during and after the game tonight at Oregon State, ask yourself one simple question…

Am I a DieHard Devil? 

If the answer is yes, then “prove it” by making a commitment to support this team and program through both victory and heartbreak. Share on Facebook to build a Stronger, Louder, more United SUN DEVIL Nation.

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