I have two brothers, both of whom found a profound love for video games and superhero movies. Then there’s me, the middle child, but not hopelessly forgotten or left out like most. That is because I am the only girl. You might not imagine that I was into the color pink and dolls, although that is true. I enjoyed every superhero movie and I loved video games, too. What is odd though is that neither of my brothers liked football, growing up until about the age of seven, my mom had been single or in unimportant relationships. At this time I didn’t have that father figure to tell me which boy was good for me or not. That doesn’t matter anyway. But the idea is I grew up with just my mom to guide me at this time. One thing I remember is that I loved football. I don’t remember the exact day, but I recall hearing my mom yell at the tv and wondering, “What is she doing?”.
Without another question, I joined in echoing her chants, while watching the game in my pink princess heels. With more curiosity, I asked how the game worked and what a touchdown was. Over time I would ask “When is the game on?” and my mom never cared if it ran past my bedtime. I was always welcome to watch. Her favorite team is the Miami Dolphins. Obviously, it was mine, too, because that was the only team she watched. It was her favorite because it was her dad’s favorite. So in a way, the tradition passed on.
As I have grown up I have liked other teams. It might sound like I betrayed my team but I haven’t. One thing I do know is that “We will always hate Tom Brady.”
Comparing these memories to now, I’ve come a long way, but I still love football. I love Friday Night Lights and the loud student section. I love the environment and the people who also love the game. I hope when I get into college to go to as many games there as possible. Unfortunately, my mom only watched the NFL, even though she says, “The NFL is rigged!” I have gone on to watch college ball too, and my favorite team is “Crimson Tide”.
If you were to ask me “Why football?,” I’d say because when I didn’t have a father figure to show me the works of football. I had my mom and that’s all I ever needed, just my mom. There was no one else who loved football more than me than my mom. It might seem unusual for me to say that my mom introduced me to football and helped me expand my love for the sport, but that’s what I love about it. I love that it’s “unusual,” because how will one have a character without something different than most?
That’s why I write about football, it’s my passion. I don’t write about it because it was the last slot open or because I want to look cool. I just love football. I also write in hopes that some other girl who grew up in the circumstances I did, too feels for me. By the way, I did indeed bring out the EasyBake Oven for the Super Bowl.
