Emma: Celebrating Signing Day For The Right Reasons

By Chris Emma-

(CBS) From the perspective of many, if not most, national signing day is a span of our lives in which grown men celebrate the college choice of 17- and 18-year-old kids they've never met.

Everything about it seems weird.

For example, Bob from Chicago is thrilled that five-star recruit Jonathan Kane (sorry, it's hockey season) is signing with his favorite team.

It's one thing to just be happy about a football team greatly improving, then going about a normal life, but the Bobs of the world take it to a whole new level with signing day. For them, it's a day devoted to rejoicing in this kid's college selection.

The problem is there are too many crazy Bobs who have the gall to tweet at these kids and attempt to influence their college choice, as if the kid had called the day before and offered advice on taking out a mortgage.

What makes the day feel even dirtier is that many of these kids will receive 10 minutes on national television, place several hats of these prospective schools on a table, smile for the camera, then pick a hat, smile again and sometimes even hold up a live animal for said national audience.

Bob is watching with joy, spilling popcorn all over the place.

I mock it, though I'm certainly guilty of blowing this event up. I've spent seven years, starting in a college internship, covering recruiting, where I cater to the Bobs of the world who obsess over which 17- and 18-year-olds — and sometimes 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds — are going to a certain school. In my case, it was covering Nebraska, Purdue and Northwestern.

Hey, it's part of the job. Why do I feel so compelled to blast this? Because I know what signing day is truly about.

Forget the obsessing over a teenager's college choice or holding a live tiger in the air for ESPNU cameras. That's not what makes this day special — that's what ruins it.

All across the country, there are kids fulfilling their dreams. Years of hard work and dedication to a sport are about to pay off in the form of a full-ride education. These recruits have earned their way to play Division-I football at a prestigious university, something kids dream of when playing in the backyard. They'll sign to Illinois and Northwestern, Notre Dame and Northern Illinois. The best of the best will go to the likes of Alabama, Texas, Ohio State or USC.

Family members and friends join these athletes early this signing day morning as that letter of intent becomes official. There are hugs, emotions and pride.

In my time covering recruiting, I've seen a lot more of those moments than silly hat selections. Those are far more common than national television networks making us all feel dirty.

Signing day feels gross as a nation of Bobs treats a teenager like the chosen one. But I advise you, don't think of this day for the wrong reasons.

All across the country, there are talented athletes celebrating their promising futures at prestigious universities. Signing day is for them, and a toast to dreams realized.

Follow Chris on Twitter @CEmma670.