To any of my friends, it’s no secret that I’ve never liked football. Hell, I’ve publicly mocked it on stage, on Twitter and in conversations. Even to professional football players. I’m classy like that. Classy, I tell ya!
However recently I decided to give football (NFL, not CFL!) a real shot and watch a full game. Why isn’t important. Neither is it important why I chose the New Orleans Saints to cheer for. But I did. Not a bad team to pick, they were 5-0 going into last week’s game against the Dolphins, and having been to NOLA in the recent past, I felt it was a good game/team/time to give the sport a serious shot.
This had to hurt…
So what happened? What did I think of America’s pastime? Is it still on par with baseball in my mind, or is it a real sport?
If you aren’t sure, I highly suggest reviewing my Twitter stream from last night’s Saints/Falcons game. Cause, erm, I was clearly into it. I’ve now watched 2 games in a row, both highly emotional, highly charged games, and I think I’ve realized why I didn’t give football it’s due before:
- I didn’t grow up in the states: this should go without saying, but the reality is Canadians don’t get excited about football. We’ve never been to a tailgater. We probably can’t even name 3 QBs (hell, half of us probably think you’re talking about a certain smelly province of ours).
- Football is a social game: now, most sports are best watched with others. But watching a NEW sport alone? Not so hawt. Twitter changes this. Being able to chat with Aaron and jam with other Saints fans during the game is a whole nother expeirence!
- I had no emotional ties to the teams: I’m a Leafs fan. Always will be. Even this year when they’re playing like the farking Ducks. I’m a Leafs fan cause I AM CANADIAN and I AM TORONTONIAN. It’s what we do. How we roll. Why we’re idjuts. I had no emotional connection to any NFL teams or cities, so there was no emotional investment in the game – which always makes the game 10x better. Don’t believe me? Try watching women’s lacrosse.
My halloween costume …
Since I’ve now watched a game, have folk I can talk to during games and have a team/city I care about… well, football is a very different experience. And, as much as it pains me to say it: it’s an experience I actually enjoy.
I can’t say I’ll watch every Saints game. I won’t. I can’t even say I’ll follow the stats religiously, cause I won’t. But, like the Leafs, if a game’s on, or a friend invites me over, or I snag tickets: I’ll be there and prepared. I won’t become a football freak like Aaron, but I will no longer mock the sport. Specially when the saints are playing.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:46 am
I’m not really much of a football fan myself, as my preference is more towards motorsports. But what got me into watching the Super Bowl is the advertising! The advertisements shown are arguably the best commercials the companies can come up with. It’s just as entertaining as the sport itself! Plus it gives you some ideas as to how you can further promote websites and stuff. Good learning experience!
November 11th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Ha. Just saw this post.
Well, you know, I was born into football. From my early days in Buffalo, I was born into being a Bills fan. Of course, that changed after 4 years of Super Bowl losses in a row (1990 vs the Giants, 1991 vs the Redskins, 1992 and 1993 vs the Cowboys) and the original Cleveland Browns moving to the city I grew up in, Baltimore. It’s hard not to love football when you’re born into it. But many people do figure out how to adopt it and love it just as passionately as I do.
It’s the only professional sport where EVERY GAME MATTERS. You lose three in a row at the beginning of a season and you stand a very high chance of not making the playoffs. You lose ONE game to a division rival, and you may end up LOSING a tiebreaker when it comes to deciding who makes the playoffs and who doesn’t. The difference between 11-5 and 10-6 could move you from having a first round BYE in the playoffs to barely getting a wildcard spot and having to play on the road during all of the playoffs. There is no discounting the 12th man. If you go to a home game in Denver or New Orleans or Baltimore, the volume of the crowd can have a very noticeable impact on an offense being able to play their game, call audibles at the line of scrimmage, or execute a two minute drill. Every aspect of the game has an impact. Teams know that the team who has the most penalties or turnovers generally lose the game, so every play, every player strives for perfection. There’s no sport like it.
Baseball gives you 9th inning drama and the thrill of a Game 6 showdown in the playoffs. Basketball and hockey seasons, like baseball, are too long and a loss doesn’t have huge impact on the big picture. There’s always tomorrow. Football epitomizes the essence of efficiency. This is why I love football and can’t stand watching bad football (like the Eagles-Redskins Monday Night Football game a few weeks ago), even if I have no dog in the fight.
November 11th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I agree. Football wasn’t even a backround thing in our home for years and years following the Bills debacle in the 90’s. For me, Football is the greatest sport on earth. There really is no other sport that if you are invested in a team, every game is nearly as emotional as if it were the championship game. I’m not a big baseball fan (my poor poor Orioles…Angelos you need to die.) Nor am I a fan of Hockey, but I can watch their championships because then and there is the emotion that I can relate to. Either I can sit through 600 MLB or NHL games to finally get it, or I can turn on the NFL every Sunday and get my fix. I choose NFL.
**Today, all us Brazell men are back into football. My dad and I are Philadelphia Eagles fans, my bro; the Baltimore Ravens. It’s funny though. My dad still wants to see Buffalo win the big one.**
November 11th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I’d still like to see the Bills win the big one too. But they need to draft better. T.O. means nothing if they can’t find a franchise quarterback that can complete a pass to him.
November 11th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
I would also like to see Buffalo win something. Mostly because I am a Buffalonian through and through. No amount of losing well, ever take that away!!!! I agree they need to draft better and be coached better!
November 13th, 2009 at 12:53 pm
Alright,
Time to throw some female into this conversation! *crowd goes silent!* I am one of those football fans and guess what? I use to even play it as a kid. I blame it on being the only girl of 4 boys, but watching it on television… ah not so much. Hockey all the way! Going to make all you fellow Canadian’s hate me in t-minus two seconds. I’m a Red Wings fan. SHhhh! I cheer on Toronto when they are losing!
Football is a fun sport if you have the right crowd. My husband (American) avid watcher. I was born and raised in the beautiful cottage country of Ontario and never really opened the opportunity to watch football, but now… I am screwed into cooking for the grand old Sunday & Monday night football games. He doesn’t like hockey too much, but football, he never misses. He will cheer along with you at least. He is a Saints fan and it seems like we never miss a game, even if they aren’t playing. *tear*
Hope your football adventure keeps on being fun, next time add in some nachos covered in junkie goodness. Can be even more interesting… I think *raised eyebrow*
Christine
The CRBiz Group
November 13th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Hey, don’t forget there’s Thursday night football too. And if that isn’t enough, there is Saturday night football in December.
Bring me a beer! :-p (kidding)
November 18th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Well I luckily take over the TV those nights. Can’t miss my Survivor or movie nights. Now… as for that beer… I think you’d be better at getting them. Canadian please
December 4th, 2009 at 11:29 pm
Yo what was he looking at, that’s nuts
December 18th, 2009 at 1:52 pm
Hiya!. Thanks for the info. I’ve been digging around for info, but i think i’m getting lost!. Google lead me here – good for you i guess! Keep up the good work. I will be coming back over here in a few days to see if there is any more info.