It’s Football Season, Auntie!
I am pretty sure that Andy Williams originally wrote the song “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” about football season. Football is my favorite sport of all and I don’t even play it! Pee-wee, high school, college or professional - football is a slice of Americana.
I’ve been a Pittsburgh Steelers fan since I can remember. I grew up in Bethlehem, Pa., where my brother played for the Bethlehem Steelers and my Dad worked for Bethlehem Steel; you could say it was a birthright. I have a jersey, a Terrible Towel and am partial to the defense (Defense wins championships!). I love football and even yell, cheer, hoot and holler at the TV during games; the word fanatic has the word fan in it for a reason! There is a feeling as fan that you are part of the game. In the words of John F. Kennedy, “We are inclined to think that if we watch a football game…we have taken part in it.”
Are you a Fan, Auntie?
If you already love the game, you probably have a team. If you don’t follow the sport, reach out to your nephews, the boys in your life and perhaps your nieces, too, I assure you it is a FANtastic way to bond. Most families stick together over their devotion to a team, be it due to geography, tradition or even one player who brought them into the fold. “Mean Joe” Greene did that with football as his Coke commercial in 1979 was an instant classic. (Yes, Aunties, he is a former Steeler AND I happily wear his jersey).
Monday Morning Quarterback
I love talking football with my nephew and my friend’s sons. I will admit I usually get a funny look at first as I am both a woman and, in their eyes, old, but I win them over by talking a good game! I share bits of history or lore, facts or statistics and relish in the natural joking and competitive ribbing that comes with liking opposing teams. Even if you don’t go to football games, it is easy to follow the sport and get to know the players. There are websites and countless television shows devoted to the sport. You just need to watch, ask and learn.
Your Playbook, Auntie
The sport of football has many rules, plays, players and much history. You won’t be able to learn everything in this lifetime and you don’t need to; you can enjoy the game from the sidelines - or the stands - with just a basic understanding of the game. And, you can always ask the kids in your life to help you! Here is a simple layout of the game:
The Game - Football is played in four quarters, halftime comes in between quarters 2 and 3. There are 11 players on the field for each team, divided up between offense and defense.
Offense - The quarterback and company who try to run, pass or kick in order to put points up on the board
Defense - Linebackers and company who try to stop the opposing team’s offense.
Scoring - A touchdown is worth six points. A field goal is worth three points. An extra point after a touchdown (PAT – point after try) is worth one point for a kick through the goal posts (uprights) and two points if the football is run into the end zone. A safety (when a player or players on the defense tackles the offensive player with the ball in the end zone) is worth two points.
Two, four, six, eight – who will they appreciate? You, Auntie! You!
Amy Shigo is a sports journalist.
Published: September 14, 2010