It’s all about multitasking in football, a skill that has been around for a long time, at least since October 10, 1980.

That Friday night in Kansas City, Missouri, I was a high school reporter patrolling the sidelines under the Friday night lights of Dasta Stadium at Rockhurst High School.

The stands were packed. “The Rock” was probably up. There was a timeout in the third quarter. All was quiet.

A huge roar from the crowd. A staggeringly loud sound that gave you goose bumps.

What the hell happened during a timeout? I asked around. One of the Rockhurst coaches, who had a transistor radio with him, spread the word.

George Brett just hit a home run off Goose Gossage. The Kansas City Royals went to their first World Series.

Apparently there were quite a few radios in the high school stands that evening.

Now, here in 2024, the question is: How many radios will be in high school stadiums across the state on Friday nights? Or people following Nebraska-Illinois on smartphones?

And I can’t think of a better way to celebrate and honor the 400th sold-out Husker game at Memorial Stadium.

Don’t worry about the high school players and fans. The people who go to high school games every Friday night will still follow the lights. People who go to high school games regularly have a kid on the team, band, or student section. Or they know someone who has a kid on the team, band, or student section.

Those people go to every game. Because kids grow up fast and you don’t want to miss a moment. They’ll still be there.

If those people have Husker tickets, then their lucky neighbor or the guy in the office (or the online ticket seller) gets to see a Nebraska game.

I see this as a missed marketing opportunity. I wish all the NSAA teams could play at 1:00 PM on Friday as a show of solidarity for the passion for high school football in this state. A network show fits the bill of fact that you can push us, but you can’t take our games away.

And then everyone had Friday night off to watch their favorite Big Ten team (sorry Bret Bielema) — the one in red.

The one who plays under the Friday Night Red Lights.

It’s fitting that this 400-mile milestone comes on a night when Husker fans are inconvenienced and asked to find a way to accommodate this on a work or school day.

A flexible, non-personal school day at NU. Thank God for administrators who get it.

Nebraska fans are the biggest fans in college football. The strongest, most loyal, most resilient and passionate fan base.

It’s easy to be loyal when you’re winning nine and ten games a year, but the last two decades have tested the mettle of Nebraskans.

We discussed this on our World-Herald Pick Six Podcast on Thursday. Fellow Evan Bland compared the Sellout Streak to a long, fruitful marriage.

I get it. Through good times and bad, sickness and health, Osborne or Pederson.

Despite the fall of a dynasty, multiple coaching changes, COVID, the crash of a local son, and seven straight losing seasons, Husker fans kept showing up.

It’s important to note that the true definition of a sellout is that tickets were sold, not that there were seats in the seats. God knows there were games with empty stands. Remember when Mike Gundy was up 40 at halftime?

I firmly believe that Husker fans are undefeated against apathy. It will never take root in this state. Football and being good at it means too much. Coaches and athletic directors will go, not the fans.

Does The Streak mean too much? World-Herald Sports Editor Sam McKewon leans that way, thinking it has held back some progress — especially when it comes to facility improvements — because NU officials know Husker fans will always be there.

It’s a valid point. I think Memorial Stadium is still getting a makeover. It’s time to reward the fans with more legroom and better amenities. Never take Husker fans for granted.

And that’s especially true for the Big Ten.

Just because Husker fans always show up doesn’t mean Fox/Big Ten has to go back to the source every time. They shouldn’t. Michigan and Ohio State need to show their corn and scarlet faces on Friday night before Nebraska does.

Nebraska fans will make this work. The atmosphere will be special. The crowd will be pumped. The Norfolk Drones will likely make another electric appearance.

Talk about the lights on Friday night.

It’s gonna be cool. All across the state, Nebraskans are gonna watch their favorite teams play their favorite game. Nebraska’s Game, on Nebraska’s Night.

You may even hear cheers during a time-out.

Tom’s choice: Nebraska 28, Illinois 20.