Husk'em Corns: Are Nebraska Fans Working on a Hand Signal?
26 comments so far
April 21, 2009 by
Tom Osborne warned us about this. Back in the dying days of the Big 8 Osborne knew that the formation of the Big 12 meant a lot of good but it wasn't without certain drawbacks. Expanding meant asking one of your (likely) national title contenders to play another (likely difficult) game, it meant more money for everyone overall but the concentration of resources would lie in the south, it meant that the original Big 8 teams would probably feel pressure to create their own hand signs, those fan finger theatrics so ubiquitous in the former Southwestern Conference.
The first two items on that list have certainly been felt in Nebraska over the past decade or so but I hadn't seen evidence of the last one until I was watching video of last Saturday's spring game and, honestly, it may have been the most shocking item to come out of the scrimmage.
Is Nebraska going the route of Gig'em, Guns Up, or Hook'em?
Below is the screen capture in question, taken from this video from KOLNKGIN.com.
That grainy photo shows two Husker fans, each displaying a different side of what looks to be the same foam hand. The gentleman in the foreground has the "finger side" displayed--a red hand with ring, middle, and index fingers extended, pinkie folded and thumb out. It doesn't make much sense until you see the gentleman in the background's foam hand which, when turned around and done up with green leaves and gold kernels, does sort of look like an ear of corn. Husk'em Corns? Is this to be the new rallying cry?
Before we proceed, a history lesson is in order. According to this Texas Monthly article, the hand signal ball got rolling in 1930 with Texas A&M's thumb up "Gig'em". (Yes, there's an entire Wikipedia section devoted to Hand Signals of the SWC. The Internet is a beautiful thing.) As the state of Texas is big on oneupsmanship, the rest of the schools were destined to follow suit. You're probably painfully familiar with Texas' "Hook'em" or Tech's "Guns Up," but don't forget about Baylor's "Sic'em," SMU's "Pony Ears," Houston's "The Cougar Paw," Rice's "Peck'em Owls" (just a middle finger), or TCU's "The Frog" (as demonstrated here by the SuperFrog).
Somewhere along the way, the "tradition" of hand signals made it out of Texas to Arizona where the Sun Devils adopted "The Pitchfork," but, even after pilfering four SWC teams to form the Big 12, I never truly thought we'd see such fananigans (that's fans + shenanigans) in Nebraska.
I don't even know how to feel about this. On the one hand, I'm generally in favor of anything tying Nebraska to it's agrarian roots as long as it's not too corny (generally defined as anything falling short of the level of that very pun). Give me the fat Herbie, build sod homes in west Omaha, and put "The Beef State" back on the license plates. I want people to think we're simple, corn fed hicks. That characterization doesn't reveal anything about me as a Nebraskan, but it reveals a lot about the person speaking it. A hand signal made to resemble corn seems to jive with this train of thought.
That said, I'm equally wary of anything so derivative. As a person who is constantly thinking that everything good--minus the Internet--was created 50 years ago, jumping into the hand signal game now seems like a bit of a pathetic stretch.
Of course, the real question at hand here is whether or not those two foam hands actually represent some sort of effort to adopt such a hand signal. Living thousands of miles away from Lincoln means that those foam hands could have been around for a while now and I didn't notice, but I like to think I'm fine tuned to the fan minutiae (a.k.a. "The sort of thing most people wouldn't write hundreds of words about") surrounding Husker football and I couldn't find any such product being sold through the usual web channels. Does that mean that this is some sort of underground movement? A fraternity initiative? A simple way to sell more merchandise? I need to know if this thing has traction so I can prepare myself for a world where I, Nebraska fan, now have a hand signal.
As you can see, there are words on the foam hands pictured above but I can't make them out. Therein might lie the key so I turn it over to you, the faithful readers of BRN. Is this for real or destined to fall by the wayside?
Until I get an answer I'll proceed cautiously and thusly: Better foam corn on the hand than on the head.
At this point, that's all I can commit to.
Did you enjoy this article?
Get Husker news by email
Follow us on Twitter
Related Stories: Off the Field
Post a comment
nu-isu-fan Apr 21 09
If it is a movement, I don't think it will catch on. Why not? I'm betting a lot of people can't even make that gesture. Try it.
bnahusker Apr 21 09
As if we aren't ridiculed enough!
I'm hoping for a speedy but painless death. And as far as I am concerned, they can toss 'lil red in the dumpster, too.
Viva Herbie!
GBR!
Bob
Mark Apr 21 09
They were being given away by a de-tasseling firm as advertisement. Nothing to worry about.
bnahusker Apr 21 09
I de-tasseled two summers when I was a kid and I still cringe every time I see a Pioneer Seed sign along the highways when I get back to Nebraska.
My hands started to ache when I read your post!
GBR!
Bob
Brandon Apr 21 09
A detasseling firm? That I can get behind. There's some substance there.
I'll DEFINITELY take corn hands over corn heads now.
Joel Schmidt Apr 21 09
When I was a kid in the 90's, I honestly thought that Nebraska's hand signal was the #1 sign, and I got mad when bad teams (i.e. anyone but NU) tried to use it. THAT, my friends, is the only hand signal that I will ever want or need. It's easy to do, and man is it fun.
also, bnahusker, I agree wholeheartedly about lil' red.
cvldfg Apr 21 09
I don't know anything about detasseling. What does it mean? Is it anything like deflowering?
Seriously, I can deal with the corn on the head. That's unique to us, and us only!!! But the foam corn hand thing is lame. I hope it doesn't take off.
Joel, I agree, the only hand gesture I want to see from the players and fans is the we're #1 sign.
darren Apr 21 09
Great post, Brandon.
WOW - so many reactions to this. First, I'm against anything that is a derivative of the SWC or Texas. I don't want their weird crap infringing on Big 8 greatness.
Next, I know detasseling. There was a LOT of that in south central NE, where I grew up. I detasseled corn (removed the pollen from the top, to create cross-pollenization for seed corn) for more than a decade. Seriously.
And, husking, or picking corn, is nothing like detasseling it. So, I'm curious why a seed corn company would be sponsoring these horrible foam hands.
And, yes, that is a tough hand gesture to make. I can only do it with my right hand.
Jim Apr 21 09
I tried to make the sign with my right hand and failed. I then tried with my left. Again, I failed. Then I threw myself bodily into this attempt and tried to do both hands at once. I then drove myself to the hospital, steering with my wrists. My doctor said it was the most unusual combination of tendon strain, muscle tearing, and multiple bone fractures he had ever seen. He might write an article about it for a medical journal.
Bill in Iowa Apr 21 09
Next thing they will want to do is name the stadium the Frito Lay Corn Chip Stadium.
DT Apr 22 09
It's like Dane Cook meets Larry the Cable guy! And any way you slice that one up = Lame...
cfldfg: If I may, I think what BLV was driving at about traditions being "derivative" would also apply to how "unique" foam heads of corn were when we stole the idea from the Packers.
bna: I know it's lame for me to say, but I still love me some bubble boy (in limited doses) every now and then...
And can I get an "Amen" for the Reverend Joel Schmidt! Amen to that for real!
Oh...and to those in the know, the "pitchfork" (whatever that is) is also better known as the international hand signal of those reppin' Scotts Bluff County, aka "The County", aka "The two-one".
Joel Schmidt Apr 22 09
Amen, DT.
Funny how that works. My dad actually is a reverend...
anyways, if any of you post-ers (or writers) want to check out this "reverend's" version of a Husker fan's Gospel, check the URL: http://bigredfan17.blogspot.com/
some of you might have already seen this, but I updated it after the first year that Bo was in charge, and it's gotten pretty good reviews by my fellow fans.
Joel Schmidt Apr 22 09
Amen, DT. Although, ironically my dad is actually a reverend...
and if you guys haven't read the Gospel According to a Nebraska Fan, you should. And if you have, read my addition to it about the first year that Bo was here. it's gotten pretty good reviews so far.
http://bigredfan17.blogspot.com/
Joel Schmidt Apr 22 09
Amen, DT. Although, ironically my dad is actually a reverend...
and if you guys haven't read the Gospel According to a Nebraska Fan, you should. And if you have, read my addition to it about the first year that Bo was here. it's gotten pretty good reviews so far.
since I can't seem to get a URL to post on here, google blogger profile bigredfan17
Joel Schmidt Apr 22 09
Amen, DT. Although, ironically my dad is actually a reverend...
and if you guys haven't read the Gospel According to a Nebraska Fan, you should. And if you have, read my addition to it about the first year that Bo was here. it's gotten pretty good reviews so far.
since I can't seem to get a URL to post on here, google blogger profile bigredfan17
Joel Schmidt Apr 22 09
Amen, DT. Although, ironically my dad is actually a reverend...
and if you guys haven't read the Gospel According to a Nebraska Fan, you should. And if you have, read my addition to it about the first year that Bo was here. it's gotten pretty good reviews so far.
since I can't seem to get a URL to post on here, google blogger profile bigredfan17
Joel Schmidt Apr 22 09
...
oops, sorry guys
Brandon Apr 22 09
I am sure the NU vs. Va Tech game will be nationally televised, so everyone should watch as I introduce the Corn Head to Lane Stadium.
Lanny Jul 20 09
I think the corn head is the stupidest looking contraption ever. At least this new corn finger has something more to offer than the number 1 that every school has. I was able to easily make the sign with both hands. I guess it's all coordination.
Lanny Jul 20 09
I'll take this new corn finger over the corn head and the #1 finger that every school has. And it's 2 sided. I was able to easily make the sign with both hands. I guess it's all about the coordination.
T Jul 20 09
I like the cornfinger! It is something completely different than other schools have. Mastering the hand gesture takes practice but soon you too can do it!
kathy Jul 21 09
i too like this cornfinger!! i think we should all come out with this hand gesture at our first home game.. come on everybody give it a try!!
kathy Jul 21 09
i too like this cornfinger!! i think we should all come out with this hand gesture at our first home game.. come on everybody give it a try!!
Kristi Jul 28 09
Roll with it! If you are a true husker fan - you'll stand by the new corn finger! I love it!
p Aug 19 09
It is definately a cool hand signal.
dayla Aug 19 09
love the hand signal & the guys involved with it! they are great guys & a alot of fun!!
GO HUSKERS!