football

Now this is one topic I never in my life thought I would be writing about. Growing up in the "Steel City" one could never get enough of the Pittsburgh Steelers. My dad would spend every Sunday yelling and swearing at the television. You couldn't pass through a mall without being besieged by Terrible Towel kiosks. My mother, sister, and I having zero interest in all things sports related would jump out of our skins everytime my dad would yell , so accustomed to his ususal quiet nature. Mild-mannered by day, my father would develop a mouth like a truck driver when it came to the "Stillers". Now, being an adult in a city with the world's WORST football team, I find myself swearing out of frustration. One really has to admire the tenacity of this town's fans. Forever disappointed week after week, they cling to any small victory feverishly proclaiming this is gonna be the year! Not likely. Sorry Brown's fans, but I get very aggravated watching you deflate time and again shrugging off another loss. I don't get it! It's one thing to watch a winning team, the excitement so infectious it's hard to stay planted in your butt-shaped couch indentation. I know, I know, it's the whole our city, our team mentality, but come on, haven't we learned this lesson by now? Oh, I am so going to catch Hell for this, but stay with me a moment, there is a point to this rant. Last year I had my first taste of college football. All I can say is WOW! Being in that stadium, cheering for my nephew among the fans, feeling that excitement was, well, WOW! I love the sheer innocence of these boys. I love that they're not tainted by money, fame, and women. Ok, yes, they get the fame and the chicks and money from the school, but it's just different. Watching my nephew sack and tackle, hair flying, was amazing. I was so proud. To just have that instinct, I would probably be running the wrong way. That is if I were male and 20 years younger. This past weekend I had the opportunity to watch his brother lead his team. Sadly it was a loss, but a good game none-the-less. The first half dragged along as if they were running through muck, hungover. The second half as the game heated up, one could feel that familiar electricity in the air. Now you have to understand, for me to even say "second half" is a strange surreality for me and anyone that knows me. This is my testament to how much I have fallen for this game. As I watched my nephew leap in the air and score his second touchdown of the game, I again felt my heart burst with pride for this boy I have watched grow up and become a man. Sitting in those stands, surrounded by family, life was good. So yes, I get it, this crazy violent game and the fans who come week after week to watch their team and soak up that testosterone driven energy. Now you won't find me analyzing and discussing stats and trades and players, but you bet your ass I will be yelling and swearing like the best of them come November when I get my next "fix". Until than I will be content to watch their games on ESPN in the warmth of my living room while my husband cringes at the string of expletives erupting from my mouth. Like father like daughter. Goodnight world.