Since birth, I've been out on a football field watching my dad coach or cheering from the sidelines for a few years when I was a youth cheerleader. I was Sheryl from Remember the Titans, watching my dad do what he loves. I enjoy being down on the field where all of the action is and following the game from the starting kickoff to when the final whistle blows. I hate that I always have to prove myself when it comes to my knowledge of sports, football in particular. And if you're a girl who enjoys sports, you'll know what I'm talking about.
1. Being quizzed almost immediately:
No, I don't know who the Heisman Trophy winner was in 1987 or who won Superbowl XI, but I can almost guarantee that, unless you just looked it up like I did, you wouldn't know that it was Tim Brown and the Oakland Raiders. I know the game, I know the rules of the game, and honestly I don't think I have to know those facts to be able to enjoy the game.
2. Not being allowed to play Fantasy Football because "you're a girl":
I remember Sophomore year of college, my guy friends were having their Fantasy Draft party and I decided that I was still going go and join them even though they said I couldn't be in their league. After watching everyone make questionable draft picks and the weeks went by, they asked who had Rob Gronkowski on their team and I immediately told them who had them. They didn't believe me and looked it up to prove me wrong, and guess what- I was right. I'm not saying I know everything, but I'm not an imbecile.
3. Always being called a bandwagoner:
My family was 49er season ticket holders for many years at the Stick and we appreciate some good Texas Longhorn football. "You're not even from Texas," no, but it's family tradition and I have family members who went there. "You only like them because they're doing well," have you seen the niners this year? Ever since Harbaugh left, it's gone downhill. But we're rebuilding. Give it time.
4. You only do it for attention:
This one is my favorite. Ask any of my roommates, if they're not home, SportsCenter is on. I actually enjoy watching highlights, hearing the latest news, and getting scores, because I still have a life and can't watch every game (oh, that must mean I don't really like football, huh?)
You'll never really win the argument with men because they just don't think that there is room for women in football. But they're wrong. And I'll prove it to them someday, just wait.
