Pederson
THE BUGMUNCH -- Local News
Pederson nearly crushed during
1.7 million-person group hug
LINCOLN -- NU Athletic Director Steve Pederson escaped with minor injuries Monday after a group hug involving all 1.7 million people in Nebraska apparently got out of hand, local law enforcement officials said.
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The incident occurred near the end of Pederson's weekly press conference at Memorial Stadium, where he spent the better part of an hour uttering a host of red-clad catchphrases designed to make Nebraskans feel secure and happy about themselves, the university and the Cornhusker football team. By the time he finished speaking, every man, woman and child in the state had rushed to his South Stadium office to embrace him.
The crush of Husker zealots, whipped into a patriotic frenzy and all hoping to get a chance to hug Pederson at the same time, touched off a riot that eventually had to be suppressed with canisters of pepper spray, UNL Police Sgt. Gordie Grebe said.
"Good god, it was chaos," said Grebe, his uniform torn and his left cheek scraped from the melee. "One minute, everyone -- and I mean everyone -- is all warm and fuzzy, singing 'There is No Place Like Nebraska' and waving their arms back and forth in unison. The next minute, someone in the back yells 'Group hug!' and suddenly there's this stampede in Steve's direction."
The press conference, which was intended to unveil Pederson's lunch plans for the week, was attended by a small group of journalists and onlookers at first. But the scene rapidly grew when Pederson began talking how the hard work, dedication, loyalty and importance of all 1.7 million Nebraskans plays a vital role in the success of the Cornhuskers.
"Let me tell you, folks," Pederson said moments before the failed group-hug attempt. "I never walk into my office in the morning without remembering that it is the same office from which Bob Devaney built this great athletic program. He alone is the most high! I am mindful of that legacy, and the trust that has been placed in me by you, the good people of Nebraska."
"But I cannot do this alone!" he shouted. "I need 1.7 million Nebraskans and beyond playing on the same team with me! With the pride and enthusiasm of Nebraska fans, the greatest fans ever to grace this earth, no one can stop us! Go Big Red!"
It was unclear how the melee would affect Pederson's 100 percent approval rating, which he breathlessly achieved in his first month on the job by making a number of key moves. Among them were dropping ticket prices, opening up a pool of single-game tickets for Husker fans, "ungrounding" the NU cheerleading squad, bringing back the football team's red road pants and, most notably, announcing that he was not Bill Byrne.