Sam Mellinger

The Kansas City Star

With all of the fun that comes with our deepest sports rivalries comes a darker side. Most of us understand this, at least subconsciously.

Rivalries are the best parts of sports, normally. Rivalries make mundane games interesting, good games memorable, and great games epic. They are conversation pieces to get through the day, anchors to talk about with family and friends with whom we’d otherwise struggle through Thanksgiving.

But there is a dark side, too, and it comes in taunts or insults that cross the line of decency, loss of perspective, a general failure to understand that ultimately these are just games.

Which is a big part of why I liked writing this morning’s column so much. I do hope you’ll read it.

Emma is a five-year-old Kansas State fan who already has a story that’ll be told the rest of her life. It is fandom at its purest, a kindergarten girl sticking up for the team she roots for.

Emma’s story first went viral through her mother’s blog. Her parents have received hundreds, if not thousands, of responses.

Emma’s parents told me they’ve heard from the occasional jerk, but for the most part, this is a story that fans of any team — even KU — can appreciate.

Well done, Emma.

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