Growing up as a little girl in an Indian household, one would never imagine that my favorite sport, the one that I could never stop watching all day Sunday, the one that would keep me from finishing my homework for Monday, is American Football. I had grown up watching football since my dad would always have the Dallas Cowboys game on. For the most part, I would watch my passionate father either cheer or complain, whether it was the Cowboys vs. Eagles in a Division Rivalry or Cowboys vs. Patriots in a Primetime Showdown. As a child, I was initially confused what the popular game was about because I did not understand anything that was going on. All I saw were men in tights clashing into each other and a football flying out of control in the air. Literally, it was all a blur. Little did I know that I was soon going to be obsessed with this game.
I first began understanding football when I was sitting with my dad in the living room. He obviously occupied the couch to watch Sunday Football because he was the only one interested in it. It was evident that he was focusing solely on the TV, and he did not want to be interrupted. Even when I asked him a question, he was too absorbed with the game, not paying attention to what I was saying. I was puzzled. It was not until I started watching the sport did I have an overwhelming appreciation for it. It all began when I just stared at the TV screen, without any prior knowledge of football. My father saw no point in teaching me. Prior to his interest, he was also completely dumbfounded by the sport, coming from a place where it was not played at all. He had learned it all by himself, and thought I would too.
During the time when I watched a few minutes of a football game, I picked up how many points a touchdown was, or how a player could be penalized. Though this was my first time watching, it was the start of an everlasting fascination with the sport. After that, I watched more games, slowly picking up the rules along the way. Pretty soon, I understood the role of the offense as they were trying to convert first downs, second downs, and third downs. I also learned that the defense was meant to stop the offense from advancing into their territory. I finally understood why there were two groups that were constantly rotating all the time.
Even though I practically watch the game with my father and little brother, I am obviously no expert. I have never tried playing it in my life. Instead, I am just a regular individual who simply enjoys watching it. Often times when I tell people, they are very surprised because of my reserved, independent personality. They are so shocked to hear that a little Indian girl like me would watch such an intense, aggressive sport. Many people have this preconceived notion that only burly, macho guys watch football. This is not true at all. It turns out, plenty of people, including myself, are fans because it is a complicated, interesting game. It is something that entertains us. Anyone is able to watch any sport they wish, and should not be discouraged to because of who they are.
Expanding on this concept, there is a stereotype that girls do not watch sports in general. Apparently, there is a flawed idea that girls are meant to do “girly” things like go to the mall or paint their nails. This is so far from the truth that it makes me cringe. Although it is not advertised, girls have just as much knowledge of sports as guys do. It does not mean that they know less about football, just because they are a girl. I personally have encountered these stereotypes as my own knowledge of football has been downplayed. It is important to understand that many of these thoughts occur because of inaccurate stereotypes.
Though it is hard for some to believe, I just have a genuine love for the game of football. It does not matter who an individual is, if a particular sport interests them, they should continue to watch it.
