When You’re a Fair-weather Friend of Football on Superbowl Sunday

Living in a world of football fanatics when you hate sports is an underdog story if I ever heard one. How many of us secretly walk among parties, pretending to care about the latest sports accomplishment when we’d much rather be talking about almost anything other than sports. Have toe fungus? So much more interesting! Want to talk about a reality TV show I don’t watch? I’m your girl. Just don’t make me talk about sports!

Today is the Superbowl. And, if it wasn’t for my husband who once in a while wants to know what’s happening in the world of sports, I’m not even sure the game would show up on our television. Oh yeah. I’m that person. The one who couldn’t care less if your football god made the pass or who fumbled the ball. I have not entered the hallowed house of football and, at this point of my life, never will.

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Living as a sports hater is almost like having a secret life. It’s a terrible secret that must be kept at all costs. “What?!? You don’t like sports?” the people say. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t hate going to live events. I appreciate the excitement and community sports team create. However, I’m just not one in their tribe. Instead, I’m a fair-weather friend who supports my teams but would rather wax my legs before having to spend countless hours in front of the television watching a game that moves as slow as molasses.

I lived in downtown Chicago for 10 years, and certainly have my favorite teams. The Bears? Nah. You can have them. The Bulls? They’re okay. The Blackhawks? Now you’re getting warmer! And the Cubs? I adore the brand, the team, and used to live a short walk from Wrigley Field. There was nothing like taking work off on a sunny Tuesday afternoon, walking to the stadium, scalping some tickets and enjoying the game. Just don’t ask me how they did last season. I have absolutely no idea.

Growing up, sports wasn’t a big part of our family’s life. Tennis was one of the only games that was turned on. (It was the ’80s… probably the best decade of tennis greats ever.) We turned on football for lazy Sunday afternoons sitting by the fire, reading the paper and doing homework. The game was background noise at best for me.

So another Superbowl Sunday is upon us. And yes, the game will be on. We’re having a couple families come over. I really have no intention of watching the game… although I will be curious about the commercials. Having people come over is just an excuse to see friends and have our kids play together. Boy I hope no one asks me about the teams and their chances. I have no idea. At least I know which sports teams are playing. It’s a first step.

10 Comments

  1. Sports is definitely not for everyone and in the big picture you are not missing a thing, Jennifer. Though I do enjoy sports I have weened myself away quite a bit because I have so many other things to enjoy and experience. And it’s all about time. Bring on the commercials today! 🙂

  2. I’m with you! A friend and I joke about starting an anti-football club all the time. Sports just aren’t my thing, with the exception of tennis and the Olympics. Give me a philharmonic concert any day!

  3. I am with you…..Luckily for me my husband is not a sports fanatic. The only time i really got into football was when my son was in college. I did enjoy those college football games and I still support the WVU team!

    1. I loved going to football games when I was in college… but it hasn’t carried over to watching them on the television.

  4. I’m with you, Jen. I’m not a tv sports fan at all. The only difference between you and me, is I don’t even bother faking it anymore. I actually enjoy being the oddball – haaaa!

    1. Ha! Good for you Jennifer! I’m usually too busy chatting it up to really pay attention to the game anyway.

  5. I’m totally with you on this! I couldn’t care less about sports. I do enjoy watching the Olympics sometimes but other than that, I hate watching it. I get so frustrated in the fall when we have to schedule our Sundays around when the Colts play. My husband isn’t too bad about it, but it can still be irritating.

  6. Hi Jennifer! Found you through the Mommy bloggers group on Facebook 🙂 Thanks for adding me to it! I’m browsing people’s blogs and am loving yours. This post cracks me up. That is EXACTLY how I feel when Superbowl Sunday rolls around. I’ll participate if there’s some yummy chip and dip to munch on. If there’s not, then the whole time I’m watching, I just think, “I want chip & dip.” And I don’t think I knew who the final 2 teams were until I read them on the screen.

    You stated my thoughts on it so perfectly. (on a side note, I think it’s pretty amazing you lived a short walk away from Wrigley Field though! Would love to visit that place one day!)

    Look forward to reading more! 😀 Nice to *meet* ya 😉

    1. Pamela! Welcome. I’m so glad you found me 🙂 I’m heading off to check out your blog homepage right now.

      On another note… at least it’s not until another year that we have to muddle through the next Superbowl. Ugh. (Pass the chip and dip, please.)

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