Oct 24 2008
Football 1A
“Gentleman, this is a football.”
- Vince Lombardi
CONFESSION:
I used to sit in the football stands and clap and cheer like I knew what was going on… Uh, not so much!
My boys, now 14 and 16 have been playing football since they were five years old. I was “Team Mom” every single season. I helped fit each child for their uniforms, made phone calls to all the parents, coordinated fund raisers and attended every practice. But (you other mothers back me up on this), moms don’t pay attention to what’s really happening on the field, we’ve got talking to do, things to gossip about…
Well, I SHOULD HAVE paid more attention.
I’m not totally oblivious, I do know the basics. But recently I’ve developed more of an interest in “really” understanding football. When your kids are really small, you’re too freakin’ busy just keeping them clean and fed and making sure their socks match. Now that they don’t need me so much for the custodian chores, I can focus more on other things…
Like why am I told that “YOU HAVE FOUR CHANCES TO MAKE A FIRST DOWN”? When really that is not true. What is a touchback? WHY do you chose to punt. When is there ANY excuse for having too many men on the field?
I am a very literal thinker and there are so many things that I want someone to explain to me.
So for the past few weeks, every time I’m around football fans, I ask questions. It’s been amazing what I’m learning so far. I thought it would be a great topic to share with everyone, throw it out there and see what else I can learn 
So each Saturday I am posting on football. Either about something I’ve learned the past week or posing questions on plays and strategies I don’t understand. So if you enjoy football and know anything about it, I’m listening…
