Me? A football fan...

 I used to hate football. The whole time I was growing up, my dad would watch it whenever it was on, on our ONLY TV; and he’d yell, and cuss, and pace around the room. Let me emphasize that my dad was a normally kind, fun, loving dad. He was a fireman who often worked two jobs. People have always loved my dad, and so have I. Well, maybe not quite as much, though, during football season. LOL

   Knowing what I knew about men and football, and against my better judgment, I proceeded to marry a football fan. The same scenario was repeated every Sunday during football season. Like my dad, my husband, Randy, would plop on the couch, usually with a couple of beers, and watch game after game, and yell and cuss.

   What is it about a game, that some men take so personally that they let it invade their homes and families? How can their peace and happiness be allowed to be controlled by a game? A game played by complete strangers! Strangers that make a ton of money, don’t care about them, and can’t hear them yelling from outside the TV screen!

   They just don’t get it. And unfortunately, it must run in the family because our youngest son, Josh, had ended up becoming a die-hard Cardinals’ fan. His heart was so wrapped up in that team that my interest was piqued. Every play gave him joy or sorrow, and I began watching parts of the games just to monitor how he would be doing on game days.

   I began asking questions, caring because Josh cared. The more I watched, the more I learned… and the more I watched. A few minutes here and there, then a quarter, a half, and before I knew it, I was a season ticket holder and in the stands in person! And I found out that football isn’t just a game! What? You say! Hey, I was as surprised as anyone. In fact, I was amazed, and at times, even a little appalled, that I cared at all about the game.

   What’s the attraction? Well, being football fans makes us part of a community, a club, a family, sort of. It’s being part of a team. (Go Cards!!!) It’s yelling so loudly, you think you are actually helping. This only applies at the games, it does not work with a TV. And, it’s fun! We all dress in red and white, and wear shirts with players’ names on them. We all meet together and eat, then we all pack into the stadium, watch the game, yell and scream, and eat some more, then we leave, and go get something to eat.

   It’s just very cool being part of something exciting and exhilarating, sometimes exhausting and disheartening. It’s forgetting all the real stresses of life, for a couple hours, to care about something that shouldn't, I mean, doesn’t, really matter, a GAME!