Somewhere Over the Rainbow, California — If you were at the Rose Bowl last night or if you follow TMB on X.com (FKA Twitter) —and you really should!—you may have noticed the halftime rainbow over the Rose Bowl video board. I meant to write something about that in today’s Sunday Morning Quarterback article, but there ended up just too much good stuff to discuss from the postgame interviews and I forgot to include it. So, now, my good readers, you get to benefit from an SMQB Afternoon Bonus Edition!
When I looked up and saw that rainbow last night, several thoughts came into my head.
The immediate thought I had had to do with Coach Chesney’s dad aka Coach Senior. That’s because the media has discussed how Bob Chesney, Sr. is fond of passing out Skittles aka “power pills” to players who make a big play. Of course, the advertising slogan for the candy has long been “Taste the Rainbow.” So, actually seeing a rainbow which was visible inside the Rose Bowl pop up during a Bruin game made me think of Coach Senior and his power pills.
Then, my thoughts on this sign grew even deeper.
I thought about how rainbows usually pop up after some sort of a rain after the sky has gotten sunny again and I immediately drew an analogy to the 28 years of frustration Bruin fans have experienced since losing to Miami in 1998 and missing the first BCS Championship Game and everything which has happened since.
There has been plenty of rain during those years. To be sure, it may have slowed down to a drizzle at times like during Karl Dorrell’s 10-2 season or the beginning of the Jim Mora era when he had the benefit of playing all of Rick Neuheisel’s recruits. More recently, even as Chip Kelly was perpetrating his fraud against Bruins fans, he still managed to eek out nine wins in 2022. But the rain never truly ever stopped.
Till now.
And, just like the Bible story where after 40 days and 40 nights of rain when Noah’s Ark finally came upon dry land and he spotted that rainbow, so too, now, have Bruin fans spotted one after 28 seasons of “football rain.” We are finally experiencing true football joy with many of us experiencing that true football joy for the first time ever.
As for me, it’s reminding me of 1998 all over again when Cade McNown and the Bruins were at the top of the College Football World…until they weren’t.
So, keep enjoying this team, my friends!
I want to thank Coach Senior for helping to bring a rainbow to Bruin football. Of course, he does it for the players whenever he’s passing out his Skittles. But also to Bruin fans everywhere for raising an outstanding son and football coach.
Here’s to the Bruins continuing to get better and locating the “Pot O’Gold” the CFP Selection Committee is giving away on Monday, January 27, 2027 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Go Bruins!!!
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I’m growing more and more sentimental as I age. Now in my 60’s my eyes tear up whenever watching a movie of redemption, seeing someone succeed, or someone overcome great difficulties. Watching the Bruins win again, a coach who makes everyone believe in something larger than themselves, and fans experiencing the joy of success again makes me, you know…
Go Bruins!!
I had those exact same feelings when I saw that rainbow last night. You nailed it, Joe.