I’ve always enjoyed watching football, but I didn’t realize how much I REALLY liked football, until this season started.
I have wonderful childhood memories of football Sundays at home. My Dad ALWAYS had a game on Sunday afternoon (and still does). It was exciting times, growing up rural Illinois and being a kid during the 80’s Bears heyday. I remember waiting with cassette recorder in hand, for the radio station to play the ‘Super Bowl Shuffle’; I knew all the words (and could probably still muster most of them). Jim McMahon, Willie Gault, Walter Peyton, Richard Dent and William “the Fridge” Perry were household names, but I also knew the likes of Joe Montana, Howie Long, Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor. In central Illinois, we were geographically equidistant to Chicago, Indianapolis and St. Louis, so we were just as likely to be a Colts and/or Rams fans, in addition to the Bears. Plus, there was also the Chiefs, the Browns, Green Bay and the Bangles, all within my Midwest proximity. Maybe that’s why my Dad watched so much football, so many teams to have to keep tabs on. LOL There was no screaming at the TV, no hostile feelings for opposing teams, just football. I didn’t really understand it, but I liked all the colorful “outfits” and it meant spending time with my Dad.
Fastforward 30 years, and I find myself liking to have the game on Thursdays, Mondays AND Sundays (when I’m not busy doing a hundred other things); guess it’s deeply ingrained. I like the GAME, the STRATEGY, the SKILL, and the HEART that goes along with.
When I met my husband, he taught me the finer points of the game (like they wear uniforms not outfits) and brought me into ‘the religion’ of being a Patriots fan. I might not have been born in New England, but I’m a die-hard fan for more than 14 years and have endured more snowy/rainy/frigid games at Gillette then I’d care to remember. It’s gotten to the point that I have a surplus of team tattoos and party accessories on hand, will only wear my winning Pats gear and think every gameday should be a celebration of football to have friends over. Cheers to friends, sportsmanship, great food and a winning season!
