College football isn’t just about the game or even the food—it's about coming together for the rush of the game-day experience. And to each fan, that experience is one-of-a-kind. For entertainer and ultimate fan Keegan Michael Key, college football has been a part of life (and a source of inspiration) since he was a young boy. We’ve asked him to share a little insight into his love for the game and give other ultimate-fans-in-the-making a little inspiration for future college football experiences.
Looking Back as the Ultimate Fan
Just like Keegan Michael Key, the love for sport starts for many at an early age—and for many, becomes an integral part of their adult lives.
Q:
When did your love of college football begin?
A:
“My love of football began when I was quite young. Maybe around 9 or 10. There was a field at the end of my block where I would play football with my friends. And we would pretend to be players on our favorite college teams.”
Q:
What’s your favorite piece of college football memorabilia? How’d you get it?
A:
“Years ago, a colleague of mine was in Pennsylvania doing a show and he went into a bar, and they had a plaque on the wall. It was of Beaver Stadium, and there were two gold plates on the plaque that had the records of both the 1982 and 1986 National Championship teams. And after some friendly conversation, the proprietor of the bar gave the plaque to my friend, who then in turn gifted it to me.”
Rituals as the Ultimate Fan
True fans of the sport know: game-day rituals (both personal and fan-based)—if broken—could (just maybe) mean the difference between winning and losing.
Q:
Do you have any pre-game traditions or rituals?
A:
“My in-game rituals are pretty spontaneous and can happen at any time. I find that I stand up a lot when there’s a fourth down, which can then be accompanied by a little pacing. I feel the energy of moving back and forth creates some positive juju.”
Chowing Down as the Ultimate Fan
For some ultimate fans, loading up on stadium fare isn’t just about satisfying those game-day cravings... it’s a tradition that runs as deep as any other.
Q:
What’s your go-to stadium food?
A:
“I am a hot dog guy. I like any food that is self-contained, compact and highly portable. You can carry a box of four or five of those bad boys back to your seat really efficiently. It’s especially useful to have compact food when you have to squeeze past a ton of people and space is at a premium.”
Q:
What’s the most unique thing you’ve ever eaten at a game or in a college town?
A:
“In State College, there was a diner called, appropriately enough: The Diner. It closed in 2018, but one of the mainstays was a delicious dessert called a 'grille sticky' (which you can still get online). It was a combination of a sticky bun and a cinnamon roll that you would put on the grill. And they would pick up the flavors of other things on the grill as well, so you got both a sweet and savory profile. Sooo good.”
Making Memories as the Ultimate Fan
Being the ultimate fan means taking the sport home with you; but stadium memorabilia and swanky souvenirs can’t quite match the forever memories made on game day.
Q:
Which stadiums or matchups are on your bucket list?
A:
“One day, I would love to see a game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Ohio State Buckeyes in Michigan Stadium. I grew up in Michigan and have always wanted to see a game in The Big House. And Michigan/Ohio State is one of the biggest rivalries in college football.”
Q:
What’s your most memorable game-day experience as a fan (so far)?
A:
“When I was at Penn State there was a home game against Wisconsin in 1995. Though the Nittany Lions lost the game, what happened after the game is what was so memorable. There is a Wisconsin tradition called the ‘5th Quarter’ where, after the game, their marching band goes on the field for fifteen minutes and they just goof around and have a blast. They kick field goals, wear their hats backwards, lie on their backs and writhe around while they play their instruments. It’s wild! And really put a smile on my face. My understanding is that they do this after every game whether at home or away. It’s a very fond memory.”
Q:
What college game-day experience are you eager to have?
A:
“I would love to see a game at 'Death Valley.' That’s Tiger Stadium at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, for the uninitiated. I have heard through the years that the atmosphere there is amazing and super loud.”
New Traditions as the Ultimate Fan
Being the ultimate fan is more than just the cheers, the jeers, the colors, or even the food—it’s about new traditions made with fellow die-hards.
Q:
When and how did your impression of Penn State coach James Franklin come to be?
A:
“I went to Penn State one year to be the Grand Marshall of Homecoming and went to visit the football facilities and meet Coach Franklin. The coaching staff and I decided to play a practical joke on the team. I dressed up as Coach and in the middle of his meeting with the team he walked out of the room and I walked back in, (much to the players surprise) and I 'finished' the meeting. That was my first foray into impersonating James, and I have done it many times since.”
Q:
Are there any other ways your passion for college football influenced your creative side?
A:
“I think that the creative way in which students express their fandom is inspiring to me. For example, when you see people holding up clever signs on a program like College Game Day on ESPN. I guess you could call that an influence. I am always enthralled by the creativity it takes to create these cultures and then continually add to them. I really admire the wit and imagination.”