This is a difficult article to write. And it’s been difficult all week to know what kind of information would be interesting or valuable to report to so many of our paying customers.

It’s safe to say that this is going to go down in history as “that year”.

“That year” of getting used to new phrases like “social distancing” and “self-quarantine” and “shelter in place”.

It’s also “that year” that Washington couldn’t even conduct spring practice, and the much-anticipated spring game (the one most fans have been waiting for for 10 years) couldn’t happen.

At this point we’re not even certain if there will be a football season in 2020. 

While the news tells us we will all get reimbursed for our lost time and money and livelihoods, what happens to so many athletes around the country who were deprived of playing in the NCAA tournament? Or the chance to show their skills at pro-days? 

What happens to kids who wanted to make decisions only after they were able to take spring unofficial — and official — visits?

And what happens to people like me who are self-employed and depends on subscription revenues and advertising revenues?

This thing has become a Pandora’s box of problems for so many people in so many ways.

Realdawg.com is continuing to cover Husky sports (what’s left of it) and recruiting — but how much does all of this actually impact recruiting?

Right now there’s no guarantee as to when this will end or how. It’s a very strange and different world we’re in right now — almost surreal.

Usually, this time of year I’m talking to kids and finding out who all is coming up for whatever weekend to attend practice or visit. I’m keeping track of where the coaches are on the recruiting trail, and I’m looking forward to my guys Evan Feather and Kyle Waltos going out to practice and bringing back daily vlogs and reports.

For the first time in the 20 years Realdawg.com has been covering the Huskies, I’m truly at a loss as to what to tell our readers about coverage.

The coaches are going to continue to stay in touch with recruits, that is a given right now. So when I call kids or text them, I’ll ask when was the last time they spoke to coaches, what they’re doing while they’re out of school, etc.

What I can’t ask is when they will be back up at Washington.

They don’t know and I don’t know. No one really knows right now.

Just yesterday the UW released the news that all spring sports, workouts, practices, and events will be postponed at least until June. So if this goes that long, then what?

Will they extend the evaluation period? Loosen the reins on what normally is the Dead Period? 

Provide some sort of relief for the lost time and energy that could have been put into Spring Football?

I truly, truly appreciate the loyalty we’ve had from our subscribers throughout this ordeal. I am just as shocked as anyone about the turn of events we’ve seen in recent weeks and how it has reached so deep into something we all hold near and dear to our hearts:

College Football.

If you read the message board, you saw that yesterday I made a post about a terrible accident my daughter and grandson had in our home night before last that landed my two-month old grandson in ER.

As I was following behind the ambulance on the way to Sacred Heart hospital in Spokane, suddenly I didn’t care about any of this. I didn’t care about all the money I’m losing in ad revenues or the possibility of contracting this virus. I even bargained with God that I would take the virus and even die from it if it meant my grandson would be okay.

All I cared about, at that moment, was that my grandson would survive a terrible fall down the stairs in the arms of his mother. 

As we go through the weeks ahead, bemoaning the fact that our beloved football is on hold right now and recruiting seems stale and boring, let’s not lose sight of what’s really at stake here — and if this minimal price we’re paying is worth it.

Have we become careless, as a society because of the “value” of our entertainment?

You see, I don’t see college football as mere entertainment. It’s a job for me — just as it is for coaches and personnel and trainers and event planners and athletic department staff and anyone who is making a living because of that leather ball.

But even we know that, sometimes, you have to just remember what life is really all about.

On Realdawg.com we’ve tried over the years to foster a community of Husky fans who are not just “socially distanced” individuals who log on everyday, but rather, a family.

So over the next few weeks, remember that we are all here for each other — to talk on the board — share our thoughts — and also just to let our voices sound off about how damn much we are missing football right now.

This too shall pass, but family? That’s something you can never take for granted or leave hanging when the chips are down.

I found that out this week — and as I was rushing out of this house to go to the hospital, my husband said to me, “Go on the board and tell guys what’s going on — ask them to pray for our family because I know those guys care about you.”

Unfortunately, the hospital’s wifi wasn’t up to snuff and I couldn’t get on the board while I was waiting there — but at a time when my heart was literally about to break, those words crept up and reminded me of why I have done this for 20 years.

Family, football, faith, and also a fantastic bunch of people who have stuck with this site through thick and thin.

Let’s not let that be defeated by the corona virus. 

I am asking our readers to bear with us as we go through this and try to come up with intriguing information in the days ahead.

I am not going to stop working just because of this set back in our nation. If you are having trouble making the monthly payment to Realdawg.com, please email me.

I can help you get through if you need it. Please don’t take advantage of this if you don’t have to. But if you are in a bind and need some free time, let me know.

Until this passes, we are all in it together. 

With that said, have a great weekend friends. You are important to us, and I ask that each of you is blessed in the days ahead. Thank you for being my extended family!

— Ruth Robbins