Are Ole Miss fans a cult?

Oct 11, 2014; College Station, TX, USA; Mississippi Rebels fans celebrate after a touchdown during the second quarter against the Texas A&M Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The behavior of Ole Miss fans towards their football program feature a lot of similarities to a cult.

College football fans as a whole are a pretty passionate bunch.  After all, the word “fan” is a shortened version of “fanatic”.  So it stands to reason that fans, regardless of the team they support, are somewhat extreme in supporting their favorite team.  And there is certainly nothing wrong with this.  In fact, it’s probably the main reason college football is so great.

Yet there are fans of certain teams that take their fandom beyond what most would consider healthy.  For these fans, the obsession not only with their team, but with their coaches too, actually borders on the behavior normally associated with a cult.  This is especially true for Ole Miss Fans and their relationship with head coach Hugh Freeze.  And as the NCAA investigation continues to drag on, the behavior becomes more cult-like.

So what exactly is a cult?  Well rather than just throw around loaded words in an attempt to merely inflame, let approach this in a more systematic and scientific way.  Let’s examine some of the warning signs that experts commonly use to identify cults, and then compare the words and actions of Ole Miss fans and their leaders to those warning signs.  Fair enough?

There are many experts in this field, as well as many organizations that exist to help people who may have loved ones involved in a cult. For purposes of this article, I am using the cult warning signs identified by Dr. Michael Lagone, Executive Director of the International Cultic Studies Association and a noted expert on cults.  Using the checklist on cults that his group publishes, let’s take a look…..

Jul 14, 2016; Hoover, AL, USA; Mississippi head coach Hugh Freeze speaks to media during SEC media day at Hyatt Regency Birmingham-The Wynfrey Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports

THE GROUP DISPLAYS EXCESSIVELY ZEALOUS AND UNQUESTIONING COMMITMENT TO ITS LEADER

The love affair Rebel fans have with Coach Hugh Freeze is pretty much off the charts. As an example, have a look at these tweets:

Yes, Rebel fans love Hugh Freeze. It’s not hard to categorize that love as “cult like”.  But it’s not just a matter of individual tweets.  Recently, HottyToddy.com came up with an entire campaign designed to show the college football world that Rebel fans love their coach.  The “I STAND WITH COACH FREEZE” buttons, pictured here and discussed in this article, demonstrate that there is no shortage of zealous and unquestioning support for Hugh Freeze.

I think we can put a checkmark by this one.

Dec 22, 2015; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels head football coach Hugh Freeze talks with Mississippi athletic director Ross Bjork during a mens basketball game between the Rebels and the Troy Trojans at the Tad Smith Coliseum. Mississippi defeated Troy 83-80. Mandatory Credit: Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

QUESTIONING, DOUBT, AND DISSENT ARE DISCOURAGED, OR EVEN PUNISHED

Does anyone remember a Clarion Ledger beat reporter named Riley Blevins?  Riley was attempting to do some real journalism, something that seldom happens over at the Clarion Ledger, when it comes into alleged improprieties that involve Ole Miss.

Lindsey Miller, the stepfather of Laramy Tunsil, was involved in a skirmish with Tunsil, supposedly over the fact Tunsil was receiving illegal inducements from professional agents.  Given that Tunsil was entering his junior season at Ole Miss as the potential first round pick in the next NFL draft, it was a big story and Blevins jumped on it.

Suddenly, and with little warning, Blevins is gone from the Clarion Ledger.  Was he asking too many questions? Perhaps getting a little too close to the truth?

We’ll never know for sure, but the prompt manner in which Blevins was taken out certainly resembles cult-like behavior.

Dec 31, 2014; Atlanta , GA, USA; Mississippi Rebels head coach Hugh Freeze greets fans prior to the game against the TCU Horned Frogs in the 2014 Peach Bowl at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell/CFA Peach Bowl via USA TODAY Sports

THE GROUP IS ELITEST, CLAIMING A SPECIAL, EXALTED STATUS FOR ITSELF, ITS LEADER AND MEMBERS  (for example, the leader is considered the Messiah, a special being, an avatar the group and/or the leader is on a special mission to save humanity).

It’s no secret that Ole Miss fans have always thought highly of themselves, but with the arrival of Hugh Freeze, we’re seeing a spiritual theme emerge. Not only does Hugh Freeze tweet out inspirational stories and Bible verses, why he’s got a foundation – The Freeze Foundation.  Look at all the great work they do in Haiti.

Read those lines again – the leader is on a special mission to save humanity.  Doesn’t that perfectly describe Hugh Freeze?  That’s what Ole Miss fans tell us:

Next: Us vs. Them

Oct 3, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive back Mike Hilton (38) huddles up with teammates before the game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

THE GROUP HAS A POLARIZED US-VERSUS-THEM MENTALITY, WHICH MAY CAUSE CONFLICT WITH THE WIDER SOCIETY.

Oh my, talk about a perfect description of Rebel nation today.  Ole Miss fans are convinced their NCAA problems have nothing to with their coaches.  No, that has no bearing on the situation at all.  After all, their coach has a Foundation that helps poor children in Haiti.  A guy like that couldn’t possibly have cheated.

No, the problem is that the big boys don’t the like the Rebels crashing their party.  And jealous rivals who cannot beat them at recruiting are just making things up to get Ole Miss put on probation. Not only that, but the NCAA has a personal vendetta against Ole Miss, Hugh Freeze and Christianity.  That’s the only reason this thing even came up in the first place.

Next: Accountability

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (1) and head coach Hugh Freeze prepares to take the field to play the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports

THE LEADER IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO ANY AUTHORITIES

The response to the NCAA actions by both Hugh Freeze, Ross Bjork and Ole Miss media relations officials has pretty much been a non-stop “flip the bird” to the NCAA.  Hopefully when this matter concludes, other schools will have learned exactly what NOT to do when the NCAA comes calling.

First of all, don’t leak stories that most of the violations occurred in women’s basketball and track when they did not. Secondly, don’t say it all happened under a previous coaching staff when in fact many violations occurred under the current staff.

Third, don’t try to claim someone isn’t a booster just because they are a part of the Fellowship of Christian athletes.  The NCAA has clearly defined rules as to what comprises a booster.  There’s no exception for guys who happen to work for FCA.

SO ARE OLE MISS FANS A CULT?   

There certainly are similarities.  I know what I think, but I don’t want to influence anyone’s opinion. You’ll have to examine the facts and make that determination for yourself.

Special thanks and a hat tip to @CopiahDawg for finding these great tweets.

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