Jaywalking in Tiger territory can be a dangerous pastime

Standing in front of the mirror, I recite to myself: smile, chin up, game face, break. After preparing myself for the power of my blue T-shirt, I leave my dorm room and enter enemy territory. This is no ordinary blue T-shirt. In fact, one glance can cause a riot. Set in all-capital, white letters, "KANSAS" stretches across the front of the blue backdrop. That's right. I'm a Jayhawk fan living in the heart of Columbia; home of the Missouri Tigers and longest-standing rival of KU.

Some might wonder how I am even alive to write about this phenomenon. To be honest, I wonder that myself. I'm not one to be ashamed of anything, and my friends and family understood that when I chose to attend college in Columbia. Around graduation, I had several people ask me if I would like a bulletproof vest as a gift, because they knew I would continue to wear my KU T-shirts even in Tiger-centered Columbia.

So, maybe a bulletproof vest is a little dramatic. But, this rivalry is by no means little; this match-up has baggage. Rooted in the civil war, "Bleeding Kansas," slavery and innocent murders all led to the Kansas and Missouri "Border Showdown," which remains the oldest college rivalry west of the Mississippi River.

This is not to be confused with the "Sunflower Showdown" that somehow still exists between Kansas State University and KU. In my mind, that's not rivalry. It's simply domination. But, that's just me.

Now without murder (I hope), KU and MU continue the tradition and compete against one another in the most anticipated match-ups of every year. Like I said before, not little.

Jayhawk and Tiger football has never been too hot. Let's be honest. It's rarely lukewarm. So, I think both team's fans would understand skipping over that sad sight. (Although, I should mention in fairness that MU did indeed snag the Border Showdown title during the football season this past semester with a 35-7 win. I'm just going shake my head and move on).

For me, the powerhouse of men's basketball is all that matters. Since 1974, KU has scored more than 100 points five separate times against MU, including an early February match-up with a 103-86 run. The Jayhawks lead the all-time series with 170 wins versus Mizzou's 94 wins. Let's just say, I'm very confident when it comes to KU versus MU.

By the time the heat of March Madness approaches on Selection Sunday, I'll be immune. Nothing compares to the heat I endure on the days when I wear that blue T-shirt. Now that I live in enemy territory, it's become much more intense. To these people, this rivalry is more than a game. It's about earning respect and gaining bragging rights. Whether KU wins or loses, that is the one thing I'm deprived of in Columbia — a mutual respect for the Jayhawks.

No longer can I watch KU games on television. Instead, I'm forced to filter through multiple websites that stream live television coverage online through my 10-inch laptop. No more high fives for fellow fans and friends when KU takes home a win. I'm forced to suppress clapping, cheering and excitement behind a quick smile. No more celebratory streaking. Well, my RA probably wouldn't like that anyway.

Instead, I brag only to my closest friends unless I'm provoked by an MU fan. For example, I was invited by a fellow Stephens student on Facebook to attend the event, "Beat KU Week 2011." Now, this student specifically knew that I am a die-hard Jayhawk fan. She did it to tease me, but it's not the only type of taunting I've received from Tiger fans.

Remember when the MU boys lived in Prunty Hall this past semester? Yeah, they relieved our "needs" to see a human male at least once during the day, but they were also hardcore MU fanatics. When I would wander into Stamper Commons for dinner wearing my blue T-shirt, no amount of talking to myself in the mirror could save my game face. Never in my life have I experienced glares from not one, but a table full of good-looking boys. These weren't just any glares, either. That moment in time felt as if eight, steaming-hot lasers were piercing through my shirt, skin and bones. One even looked like he might pounce.

It's during those times when I consider using my "Kansas" shirts solely for sleeping purposes in the comfort of my own room, where I can stare at my three separate KU posters and jam (in headphones of course) to the song, "Red and Blue KU" by B Double E. That's about as close to "home" as I'll ever get in the heart Columbia.

But, then I realize this isn't just about a team. It's about one of my beliefs. I believe in KU, so I wear the blue T-shirt. If I go and hide in my dorm room because of a look or taunt, how am I supposed to express any of my beliefs? It's important to stand your ground on any issue that you believe in no matter how small. If you let that belief down, you let yourself down.

So, if I wear my blue T-shirt on campus, don't think it's because I'm bragging. I'm not. It's just my way of standing up for everything I believe in, including myself. Whatever your "blue T-shirt" might be, I hope you wear it with pride. Smile. Chin up. Game face. Break.