Letter: We lost, but the Tar Heel pride is alive

TO THE EDITOR:

Last night, I had an amazing dream. Marcus Paige, the humble hero who represented Carolina perfectly for four years, hit the most incredible shot in history to win the National Championship.

But that dream was crushed in the 4.6 seconds it took to wake up.

Sure, it’s a #GDTBATH, but who cares? There is no “next year” for Marcus. And it’s just sports, so feeling devastated is pointless.

There are more important issues to discuss. As Coach Dean Smith said, There are two billion people in China who don’t even know we’re playing.

We’re sick of reading eulogies for another team leaving empty-handed. We’re sick of the doggone media demeaning Coach Roy Williams.

And we’re sick of investing our emotion into something that only brings pain.

Well, except when Marcus hit that overtime game-winner against State. That was awesome.

Or Brice breaking the double-double record.

Theo being Theo. Kendall and Harrison playing pick-up at Hinton James.

Tyler hitting that three in Hansbrough Indoor.

Jackie Manuelhaving a posse.

Those moments remind us of Chapel Hill, a place no one can truly explain in words; except to say it fostered the generation of world-changing heroes we call our friends.

These same friends discuss those important issues and find ways to solve them; like Joel James, long after the confetti is cleaned in Houston, advocating about mental health for student-athletes. That’s the real Carolina Way.

Today is Wednesday. And you know what? It’s a great dadgum day to be a Tar Heel.

Moazzum Bajwa

Class of ’08