I don't care to watch any sports. When married, they took over my life....that's all that was ever on the TV. And finally the reason we got a second TV, so I could escape and watch what I wanted. For a change.

About the only thing good I can say about football season are the foods associated with it Tailgate or gameday food is good food!!

An east coast friend gave this to me. I placed it next to Henry and took a pic to send to her.

I don’t watch too much football. Canadian football is nowhere near anything like American football. My husband watches occasionally.

I did enjoy one Grey Cup game when Shania Twain was the halftime show and she entered the stadium, wearing a fur parka, riding on a dogsled, accompanied by RCMP.

It was so Canadian. 🙄

I bought this soap recently and have had a good laugh at what others think it might smell like.😳

This is how it is described on the website.

“What it smells like: cozying up on the bleachers with a warm flannel blanket.

Fragrance notes: fresh eucalyptus, blue sage and cedarwood.”

I’m not sure though.

I like to see football fans having a great time.

eta

“I went to the more respected university in town…”

As has been said, ”You’re a Bruin for four years, but a Trojan for life.” ;-)

wow, sephia_wa, Henry is gorgeous. Thanks for sharing. I intend to share a pic of my Pooky when the topic (or close to it) shows up on Annie D's I'll show you mine....

I never heard that.

What used to make the rounds back during my college years about USC was its reputation described as "Pay your fee and get a B". It wasn't far from the truth - it was a pretty mediocre school back then and its admission standards were pretty low. It's upped its game considerably in the intervening decades and good for them. Still, there are some rough spots, which I guess is to be expected.

Another recollection I have, the veracity of which I can't vouch for, had to do with whether or not OJ Simpson had attracted the attention of Bruin recruiters. I had extended family members who were in the football booster club who'd heard that they'd thought about trying to land him but after learning of his GPA of D at SF City College, they figured it wouldn't work out. OJ singlehandedly destroyed us one year. I forget which.

Just as well he was a lifelong Trojan, as you would have it. ;-)

I love the niners and watch every week. I don't watch other teams, and my hubs has that Sunday afternoon to do what he wants! A little ME time!

Raising my hand to loin those who don't watch/dislike football. My parents, ex husband nor our kids cared for sports either.

I used to love watching college football. However since NIL, the portals, and the new BCS system I think it is all screwed up with not enough attention paid to the actual education of the players. I do agree with some form of payment or remuneration being made legally, but most of these multi-millionaires at age 19 have no idea what they are doing. And the portals have really ruined recruiting imo. The schools invest a good amount of time, effort and resources in recruiting and for some spoiled kid to change their mind 2-3 times in his college career is ridiculous. And in my view it is really hurting the smaller schools that don’t have the large alumni budgets.

I seldom watch NFL games but I do like Derrick Henry and a few other players. I also watch a few of the NWSL games occasionally too.

I am a huge football fan, but luckily so is my husband, so there is no conflict in our house. We are both lifelong and diehard NE Patriots fans.

For many years I lived in the south, where college football is practically a religion, so I took to watching that also. Today, we’ll watch it if there’s an interesting game on and we happen to be home with nothing else going on, but we wouldn’t make a point of staying home for it like we will for a Pats game. From Sept to Feb, we plan our schedule around the Pats’ schedule to every extent possible!

ETA: we also participate in a couple of neighborhood pools, which makes the season even more fun!

Hubby's the only sports watcher in this household, while I'm pretty much indifferent to sports in general.

Sadly, the home team here is the Bucs, which hubby - and lot of others - call the Succaneers 😄

He prefers basketball nowadays.

I was born north of Green Bay, own one share of the Packers, have an original cheesehead hat-not bad since I ended up growing up outside Philadelphia and the Eagles and Phillies stole my heart (still a Packer Backer too though). My favorite tee shirt says, "It's a Philly Thing" which I wear throughout the season. The only time I did not root for them was the five years Michael Vick was their QB. I am still incensed about the fact that the Eagles hired him and now he gets over $100,000 annually from the NFL.

I started loving football in high school. I grew up with people who were really into college football and I loved the football parties every weekend, learned all about the rules and the players for the UW Huskies. In Seattle, we didn't have pro football at that time and I remember the elation we all felt when we got a franchise, the Seahawks. I loved that team and all the players in the original franchise. I was married at the time and we followed pro basketball, the Seattle Sonics. We had season tickets and it was so much fun to feel a connection and loyalty toward the players/team.

But at some point, both for the Seahawks and the Sonics, I realized the players were NOT loyal to the fans. As they moved from the teams I loved to other teams, I realized they were just a commodity, they were NOT home town players. They didn't care at all about Seattle, only the city that paid their salaries. I don't blame them, but I realized I owed no allegiance or loyalty to them either. It was kind of a devastating realization at the time.

So I became a cynic about pro sports and all the BIG money involved. I resented taxpayer money being used to support them, stadiums and such. And all those hundreds of thousands/million of dollars being paid to men, with women not benefitting at all. Oh, sure, women work in the commissaries, and other associated businesses, but it's pennies compared to the BIG money.

Boy, do I get incensed when I see a Seahawk flag being flown over our state capitol! It's a business, no different than any other business. I would feel equally incensed about a Walmart flag or Target flag being flown on state grounds, using taxpayer resources to do so.

eta: I just remembered I watched a few games last year to see Taylor's boyfriend play and see her in the stands. Loved how many guys got their panties in a knot over that!

The players themselves dont have as much choice as you might think. They are commodities and when someone gets those huge offers remember it is off the table when they get injured. They get blown out the door and their group of hangers on scrabble for the scraps and the player is often left with nothing but a bad shoulder and a limp.

Back in the 80's I learned they had a retirement program but no one in those days had ever lived long enough to collect. They were dying of brain injuries.

patriciae

Oly, I completely agree about all the big money in pro sports. Cannot stand that cities, counties, whatever help finance a team's stadium. Sheesh. We pay for that and then can't afford the tickets.

They tried to get the big city to fund a football stadium here, I think a couple of times. The voters rejected it. Bad enough to have to adapt the traffic control, etc. A new stadium was built anyway with private funding in a smaller city (though that is probably driven by location rather than sour grapes).

If I recall correctly, voters rejected using taxpayer money here to build sports stadiums , but they did it anyway. There are now TWO huge stadiums side by side because, heaven forbid they would have to share ONE.

Again why I hate football. They took my scheduled show off prime time on a Thursday night for a stupid football game and ran the show many watch at 3 AM- 4AM.

There have been some comments from some who dislike football. I get it. That's fine. It certainly is flawed. I'm aware that CTE and other serious injuries are a huge issue, and sometimes I wonder if it isn't a very toned down, 21st century version of the Roman Colosseum events. And the whole $$ issue is there for sure. But the players know what they are signing up for. No one makes them play. I still find it fun and exciting, and I still have a crush on Mahomes. Let the games begin!

Olychick, you are absolutely right. That is what they did.

patriciae

I don’t follow any sport, or attempt to be particularly knowledgable about them. Some teams end up appealing to me for some reason in a given season, and I’ll root for them. I enjoy casually watching football, even if it’s just on in the background, and it’s a nice thing to look forward to come end of summer.

“…and it’s a nice thing to look forward to come end of summer.”

Agree…and we also love baseball from Spring training to October!⚾️🏈👍🏻

" And all those hundreds of thousands/million of dollars being paid to men, with women not benefitting at all. "

Yeah, without the rampant discrimination, there would be more women playing in the NFL.

I have a hierarchy in which college teams I root for. Cal is #1, Stanford is #2 only if they are not playing Cal. Then any of the original Pac 8 teams, then Pac 10, then Pac 12, except USC, they're last. I'll now root for Penn State. I'll root for any team over a Southern team. It's important to keep these things straight.

I grew up in Eugene when the Oregon Ducks were a horrible team. i went to a game while attending the University of Oregon and the stadium was only half full.

My family lived on a road many people traveled on to and from the game.We had to plan our leaving around when the game ended because we were not able to get out to the road for a couple of hours. Traffic was bumper to bumper.

All of my siblings are serious Duck fans, especially my older brother who has had season tickets since he was in colllege. He plans his fall around Duck games and even attends away games. When the Ducks win an important or close games.

All my siblings comment on our group chat, except me. I have not watched football since I was in my early 20s. I have no i terest, do not know who is plying or where they are in the standings.

I do believe there is way too much money in the sport and it has proven to be dangerous to the player. Phil Knight spent millions to make the Ducks into a championship team and he succeeded.

Why I am a Steeler's fan:

My heart bleeds black and gold. It is not a sport, it is an identity that I feel tied to. It is almost like my being Jewish. I didn't choose it. I was born into it. It is my heritage. It reminds me of home and family. It is a connection that people tied to a city can feel a part of during hard times. I know that all over the world, there are people who bleed black and gold too.

The truly great moments of running, jumping, and catching a are sheer joy to watch. The sadness of defeat does not bother me as much as it does to many. I have perspective on the world. The team sucks now. But that is ok. You don't turn your back on family when they are going through a hard time.

Kendrah, my oldest daughter used to say that you are not a fan if you're only a fan when they win, LOL.

My Dad was a die hard Detroit Lions fan, he'd be the happiest man alive with their last couple of seasons if he were still alive. I watch occasionally and if any Michigan team is in any game, I'll cheer for them, I don't care which school or area they are from, so I'm not a very serious fan either.

I have watched college football the last couple of years, but not the Big Ten, I've been watching Division II. Why? Because I went to Ferris State University, as did my Dad, both my daughters and my granddaughter. They are the defending national champs, having won three out of the last four NCAA Division II National Championships, and are ranked #1 by the coaches poll again this year. No big money, no big names, just college football with several local players. So, go Bulldogs.

Annie

Again tonight on ALL the three major networks, football reigns. Sucks to be us non-sports-loving people.

I'll suggest that the cause of unpleasantness and dread many of you express about your experiences during the season of a particular sport have nothing at all to do with the actual sports themselves. The roots of your problem are that people you know go uncontrollably overboard. Doing what they consider to be reasonable conduct of enthusiastic fans which too often is really nothing more than overdone and sometimes even childish behavior.

Is yelling at a TV screen, giving hoots and high fives to others, and jumping around a room really necessary parts of the watching of a sport event? Are the win or lose results all that important. Usually not. Not at all, as far as I'm concerned.

Yes, I have sports and teams I enjoy. Yes, I like watching games. At my house, we can do that with windows open, I don't yell or scream. If my wife asks if we can do something that interferes with a game, my answer is always Yes.

I can set it to watch later. Watch it live or watch it hours or days later, same thing to me. No need to be compulsive about it None of it is all that important as to justify being selfish to others as a result.

For you Lily and all the football haters 🤣

“I can set it to watch later. Watch it live or watch it hours or days later, same thing to me.”

Often done at our house with football and baseball. I also agree regarding overdone and childish behavior. I’ll admit to a few quiet, happy tears with last year’s World Series.

"Is yelling at a TV screen, giving hoots and high fives to others, and jumping around a room really necessary parts of the watching of a sport event?"

At my house, yes. I'm proud to be one of those annoying people. Fortunately the people in my life are just like me, and those couple that aren't, don't deprive me of the fun I have during football season. And the rest of you? Who cares what you think?!? 🤣

Are there other recurring events or instances in your life for which you allow yourself to be inconsiderate to others present? I somehow don't see the rationale of why such unnecessary conduct would be a "majority rules" exception to the practice of having respect for others.

Have you had kids that played sports? Have you experienced out of control loudmouths (male and female) who sometimes get ejected from the bleachers or sideline viewing and told to leave the facility because they can't control themselves? Or, how about times when a team coach speaks to the spectators and asks them to have good behavior and set a good example for their kids? I have, all of the preceding. As a coach of older kids playing at a higher level, I had to do that several times

Ridiculous behavior while watching TV is perhaps worse.

obnoxious behaviour in public is exactly that, and should never take place or be condoned, but what has that got to do with having a good time in your own living room? Or being a part of the over-the-top enthusiasm of a gigantic stadium filled to the brink with adoring fans?

There is a lot of hostility here towards those who do not like sports. I have my reasons and others have theirs. I am thankful for being able to stream tv. One of our local PBS stations was showing football games last week. My lord. What next. Still why dont I get to dislike sports? I can see some serious downsides especially for the players. But I dont require anyone to skip their games but I do know sports enthusiasts who leave no space for those who do not.

patriciae

"Are there other recurring events or instances in your life for which you allow yourself to be inconsiderate to others present?"

What the hell are you even talking about??? This topic is about football, not any other recurring events or instances. That doesn't even deserve a response, whether I allow myself to be inconsiderate to others present for any other "recurring events or instances" 🙄

In my home during a football game, those present share a camaraderie over rooting for our team. If you're present it's because you are passionate about watching the game. I'm fortunate in that I have a group of friends who have been getting together for years to watch the game. How is anyone being inconsiderate?

"Ridiculous behavior while watching TV is perhaps worse."

Says you 🤣

"There is a lot of hostility here towards those who do not like sports."

And there is a lot of hostility towards who DO like sports. Many comments on this thread demonstrate that. Goes both ways.

Please don't engage. If you argue with him, you know that he'll dig in and not let it die. Carry on your conversation without responding to him.

" If you're present it's because you are passionate about watching the game. "

You must have missed the many comments above about unpleasant home experiences people have when a football game or other sports event is on.

You're a retired adult with presumably no younger residents of the home. What if you were another adult that lived in the house, or kid, with that going on that didn't interest you? Or a parent with kids in the house losing control of themselves.? These latter situations are more prevalent than your's.

I've expressed myself. It's a long-standing peeve of mine, something I really don't get.

"You're a retired adult with presumably no younger residents of the home. What if you were another adult that lived in the house, or kid, with that going on that didn't interest you? Or a parent with kids in the house losing control of themselves.? These latter situations are more prevalent than your's."

You're right. I'm addressing your comments to ME based on MY experience. There are no younger residents here nor adults who don't share the same passion. If you hadn't specifically addressed me, I wouldn't have explained.

And you're right, Sushipup. I do know better. He will go on and on to show us how smart and right he is and to get the last word.

Growing up, we weren’t a big sports-watching family except for Cubs games and some Saturday horseracing. And not rabid fans, just enjoyed watching. In high school, I was in marching band so attended every game, and learned absolutely nothing about football but knew all the off-color band cheers!

So when I went to college in Texas, it was an eye-opener. Holy cow. Friday was high school, Saturday college, Sunday pro. And my roommate’s family, who lived locally, were big fans. I have to say, it sure was fun to watch America’s Team (it was that era) with them. Even the kindergartner was more knowledgeable than I was. They all got excited and into the game, but not over-the-top, nothing spilled or thrown or got broken, just a lot of joyous excitement.

I have a family member who works CFL games, she has always been a huge football fan, both NFL and CFL.

Is Arena football still around? My neighbor’s kid worked for an arena team and we went to a game, I really liked it, more compact and faster.

I used to love hockey. My friends and I would listen to it on the radio back when they wouldn’t televise the games unless they sold out, so we listened a lot. I still like hockey but like many sports I have to know which service is carrying it, and if I have access to it. Grr.

Most sports are more exciting, or infuriating, I think, if you have money on the game!

Here is my problem, first the injuries and second do anyone remember when the football players went on strike in I think 1982 and the replacements that were brought in were doing things like parking cars for a living? The also rans. who had devoted most of their lives to the game and not much else. Also the trades.

patriciae

I was just reminded of this:

BIL is a huge football lover - and a diehard Sooners fan. Years ago they had a small Superbowl party at their apt. with some dear friends who, after being there just a short while, asked if there was anything else on TV 😂

Pretty funny, Carol! It reminded me of a scene from Everybody Loves Raymond. It was Thanksgiving and all the men were watching football. Debra’s mom picked up the remote and asked if anyone wanted to watch the parade.😳🤯

I just flashed back to a superbowl party in NY where we even put a little TV in the bathroom. I remember the guys complaining that it was useless unless you were sitting down 🤣 I think they wanted it on the toilet tank. Oh man, the good old days. LOL

Living in south Florida where the weather is always nice, I count on the sounds of the sports to tell me what season we are in. My Mom lives with us and she is a die hard sports fan. I currently hear the sounds of a horse race. She finds sports on a Monday afternoon sometimes. She was dancing around the house celebrating about 2 weeks ago when NFL preseason came on. Happy dance, happy dance. I am at the point where I only watch the Steelers or championship games. Unless I am with people watching a game, then it’s game on.

Being a Chiefs fan, what's not to love?

On the topic of taping the game for watching later.....

Once fall is underway and it gets a little too cold to play golf in the morning, my husband and I will begin the annual debate on whether to skip golf and stay home to watch the game, or tape the game (Pats only) and watch it when we get back from our afternoon round. My inclination is to stay home, his is to go play (in fairness, until he retires in a few years, I spend more of the winter in FL than he does so I can play all winter), so we compromise and pick a few weeks where we'll do one or the other. But....in those weeks where we're taping the game, it's a whole ordeal of no stopping in the clubhouse on our way out, no talking to anyone, cell phones off, no radio on the drive home, the tv must be set to a channel that will not inadvertently give us the result, and get home and right in to the recording. Yes, I fully appreciate how silly all of that sounds to the non-sports fan (and even some of you who are fans), but there really is a difference in the enjoyment level when you're watching an event you already know the outcome of.

We don't generally yell/scream/get physical at the tv, though we probably do our fair share of armchair quarterbacking and enthusiastic cheering at the appropriate moments, but again, it's just the two of us, or if we have friends over, other fans of the game.

I always watch the chief's games live with a small group of friends...it's appointment TV for us. I'll tape a Royal's game sometimes and watch it taped delayed so I can zoom through the commercials.

Ah, the seasons. People in the NE talk about robins. We have different birds and different weather in SoCal. But it'll never be the same. For decades, the first sign of Spring was Vin Scully's voice on the radios of the neighbors doing yard work.

^And that voice was pretty special!