A Nebraska representative believes that America benefits when the Cornhuskers are winning football games.

Jeff Fortenberry, who represents Nebraska’s 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives, wrote an opinion piece in the Omaha World-Herald recently, claiming that “America needs Nebraska win.”

Ah, so that’s the problem these days.

Fortenberry wrote a rather lengthy piece detailing the importance of Nebraska playing winning football is good for the country. He claimed there’s something “special about Cornhusker football” and pointed to the tradition and pride associated with the program.

Here’s just one passage from Fortenberry’s column:

Football means something to America. And an epic program such as Nebraska’s means something even more. As I said to one national media outlet, “America needs Nebraska to win.” It is about respect for the Cornhuskers and their culture of excellence. It’s about our big, corn-fed linemen, our hard-nosed backs and our tradition of receivers who actually block. We help give America a sense that guts and determination, tradition and honor, still matter.

It’s been no secret that Nebraska has had its struggles on the gridiron recently. In 2017, the Huskers endured one of the worst seasons in program history, finishing 4-8. It was the second time in three years that Nebraska finished with a losing record.

But hope has been restored in the program with Mike Riley out and Scott Frost returning to his home. There’s a belief that the former national championship quarterback can steer the program back into national relevance sooner rather than later.

Apparently, that’s not just a good thing for Cornhusker fans, but America.

There truly is something special about Cornhusker football, its fans and its connection to the perennial values we identify as “Nebraskan.” Although not immune to the coarsening of culture, Husker fans have been historically famous for their humble, civil and gracious attitude toward opposing teams. They stand and clap for opposing players when they leave the field. It’s the Nebraska way of saying that we believe in the ideals of good sportsmanship, perseverance and generosity of spirit — things that transcend winning and losing. These ideals are not incidental to our gridiron glory; they are the cornerstone of it.

I guess we’ll see if Frost can make America proud over the next few years.

To read the full column, you can visit the Omaha World-Herald.