In Locker We Trust

When I was in high school, I went to the football games because EVERYBODY went to the games. It was fun to be with friends and I had no idea what was happening on the field.  When Ian and I started dating, I would watch sometimes when his superior blocking was needed, and give out a little holler when I thought maybe I heard his name over the intercom. I knew nothing about the game of football. Nothing made sense. I didn't know why the crowd cheered when our team was tackled. I didn't know why the clock stopped so much and quite frankly, I really had no idea where the ball was at any given moment and never understood how the rest of the crowd knew where it was.

"OH MY GOD! DID YOU JUST SEE THAT PLAY???!!!"

"What?"

No I didn't see the play. I never saw the play.

At the end of some Lakes games, as the cattle left the stands, one of the moms would ask, "Did you see any of the game tonight, Kate?"

"Um..no."

"Well, if you want to impress Ian, you could mention that awesome play in the 3rd."

"Great, thanks!"

Eight-ish years later, I have come to embrace football season. I didn't like it before as it took so much attention away from, well, me. But I seem to understand more each year.

Like how they are aiming for the yellow line that they can't actually see in order to get a first down. And if they get that first down, that means they will have four more chances at a touchdown. Unless of course, something tragic like an interception were to happen. I was in college before I realized the quarterback doesn't come out of the game because of his bad throw. It turns out, he actually doesn't play defense. They have other, bigger guys for that.

Every year I learn a little bit more about this absurd game. Every year I dread it, because I have always dreaded football on t.v. And every year I have to fake dreading it a little more because it seems to be sucking me in. Slowly, but surely winning me over. I'm not happy about, but I can't hide it anymore. I admitted to Ian that after our picnic by the river the other day, I was looking forward to cozy Sunday afternoons watching the game. I guess.

But that's marriage. I guess I find football somewhat entertaining, but mostly I just like sitting in the living room and being company to my husband that does really enjoy it. I like watching it and getting emotionally involved because he and I actually have absolutely no common interests. Notta one. So if we can't watch the Seahawks or the Huskies, I generally pick a side and hope they win. Like last week, during the battle of the Brothers Manning, I chose to root for Eli for no other reason than I like his name and plan to name a baby boy Eli one day. See? SO emotionally involved.




And by the way, I totally took a risk divulging future baby names on the world wide web.