Unless you have been living under a rock since last Saturday night, you probably have noticed that the subject of most conversations, Facebook and Twitter posts, sports stories including print, TV, radio and online, revolve around the 78th playing of the Iron Bowl. Even Barbara Walters commented on the game during her daily talk show.

As most who know me are aware, I have been an Auburn University supporter for many years. My wife attended Auburn University for three years, and both of my sons are students of the University. I especially enjoyed the picture of my oldest son, who will graduate in May, celebrating on the field after the game, since this was his last Iron Bowl as a student.

I will also admit to ribbing a few of my friends who support the University of Alabama. I took their ribbing last year knowing it was all in good fun, and will be on the receiving end again in the future. However, in saying this I do hope that most realize this was just a football game. Neither my livelihood, nor my wife’s has changed from what happened Saturday. My faith, health, family or any other thing I hold dear has not changed with the outcome of neither this year’s Iron Bowl nor last year’s.

I will go on record as saying if I have offended anyone with any comments that I made it was not my intention and I apologize if I did so. Going forward I will continue to pick at my friends who wear crimson, as I always have, I will also continue to show my support of Auburn University, not only during football season, but also throughout the year. I will also do my best with any public comments that I might make to show my support of my choice, but not at the expense of making another’s look bad. I do hope we can all agree to show our loyalty to our favorite team, enjoy the rivalry but keep things in perspective.

The Iron Bowl will be played again next year, with the same fierce rivalry that has always been associated with the game. When meeting a new person most will still want to know whom you pull for the last Saturday of November, and that is OK. What is not ok is a young man receiving death threats because of a missed field goal, a lady killing another because she was not upset enough over the loss, an Auburn alumni cursing a lady wearing houndstooth after the game and those from both sides who want to tear down the other side. We are very blessed and the outcome of a football game should not change what is important; God, family, friends.

Randy Garrison is the president and publisher of the Hartselle Enquirer.