Football slut

Okay, so I am not really a football girl. I mean, my dad watched it when I was small, and I learned some basics during my time in high school and college (ie., the importance of first downs, not to call the uniforms "outfits," and the like). I never attended a school that was all that great in sports, at least, not while I was there. (I did go to one school that always hearkened back to a football great from the 1910s... Yes, it was that sad.)

But here I am, on playoff Sunday, and I know:

1. there are 2 black coaches in the playoff (one in the AFC and one in the NFC), who might actually play one another in the superbowl if they win today,
2. that one of them is named "Lovie" (which I think is a trip!),
3. Peyton Manning is on the Colts, and he is amazing and cute,
4. the games are on all afternoon/evening,
5. I will be watching them with the gf (well, "watching" may be an overstatement--I may do a little work while I look up from time to time).

I have moved to this space because my partner is a sports dyke. She played soccer and bball in her youth, watches most sports (including tennis and golf), and reads the sports pages and Sports Illustrated regularly. She does the whole "sports geneology" thing, telling me who comes from where, who used to play for/work for whom, and why that makes the game today so interesting.

I made the decision to not become a "sports widow" early on in our relationship, preferring to insinuate myself into the viewing of games of all sorts. I got us season tickets at my first job, her alma mater. I learned how many questions is too many (when she starts to get impatient), and I found that I can even distract her from some pursuits (especially now with Tivo) if I put my **mind** to it. While I do not get too involved--I only read the sports pages and SI when they have good personality stories, I have learned to have fun watching games and getting to spend time with my sweetie.

So, here I sit--uncoordinated, athletically inexperienced, and with only the rudimentary knowledge of pro football--sharing a day of football with my girl...and loving it! What can I say? If you don't want to be a sports widow, become a sports slut!