So my man Bootsy Collins put out a song titled, “Fear the Tiger,” as a tribute to the great season the Tigers are having. They have caused me quite a scare. For example, that game against UAB in Birmingham, down seven with less than a minute to play was not good for my heart, nor was the close call at home against UTEP, or the overtime game with USC, or the lone loss to Tennessee. So I’m in fear every time the game is close.

I did experience similar fear on my flight from Little Rock to Dallas before connecting to San Antonio. I’m a calm cool person and anyone who knows me, knows this is true. My hands are as steady as they come. But that ride Thursday was frightful. I couldn’t believe the amount of turbulence, not to mention our pilot believed he was Jeff Gordon. We left late so I guess he was trying to make up the time. Meanwhile, I’m clutching on the seat in front of me.

As irony would have it, my worst flight ever was flying with the Tigers’ team two years ago on the way to Providence, Rhode Island. The weather in Providence was horrible that day and there was ice and snow everywhere. The ride was very indicative of the weather.

Then, while in the air, the weather started getting rough, the tiny plane was rocked, if not for… (If you watched Gilligan's Island you know the rest). Anyhow, we all know Joey Dorsey is a big, strong, tough guy, but he didn’t look that way when the plane dipped that night. Dorsey, like members of the rest of the team, was in a deep sleep until he felt the jerk of the plane. Dorsey jumped up and almost ripped his seatbelt off. I can’t repeat what he yelled, and of course I was just as terrified.

After their game against UCLA, Tigers' guard Chris Douglas-Roberts walked off the court and said that no one wanted the Tigers right now. So yes, fear the tiger, but also fear the plane ride.