Florida-based organization attempting to end longtime Nebraska tradition
An organization based in Florida is trying to put an end to one of Nebraska’s longtime traditions.
When the Huskers find the end zone for the first time during a home game, fans at Memorial Stadium release red balloons to celebrate the first scoring drive of the game. But a Florida-based organization is hoping to put an end to that tradition.
Balloonsblow.org paid for a billboard in Nebraska with the message “Stop Littering, End the balloon release.”
One of @HuskerFBNation 's most famous tradition is the red balloon release after their first touchdown. However, a Florida group called @BalloonsBlow has purchased a billboard in Lincoln calling for the tradition to stop. #UNL #Huskers #LNK https://t.co/lhi2zgsYVW pic.twitter.com/u1DZW98Ma0
— Channel 8 KLKN-TV (@Channel8ABC) August 15, 2018
ABC8 was able to get an interview with group co-founder Danielle Vosburgh regarding the initiative.
“Nebraska just seems to not care about trashing its own state and beyond because balloons can travel over 10,000 miles,” Vosburgh said. “They aren’t just polluting their own areas, they’re polluting areas they have no idea even exist.”
Over the years, there have been multiple pushes to stop the balloon release, but Nebraska has continued to keep the tradition going.
Some fans have been on the fence about the balloon tradition, while others still find it to be an essential part of the game day experience in Lincoln.
Nebraska opens the season on Sept. 1 against Akron. We’ll see if any balloons float away from Memorial Stadium.