As an avid female fan and a lover of all things football, I am in the minority of those who fawn over this sport across the country. While it's not the most popular opinion to care so much about a sport that I could never play, it's still the best in my eyes and I'm not going to let anyone else's judgments or thoughts change my love for the game. Shout out to all the other girls out there that love and support the sport and their teams as much as I do!
1. People assume you have minimal or no knowledge of what is happening.
The immediate assumption when someone, especially guys, hear or notice that you are a fan are usually pretty entertaining! It makes sense that people would just guess that most girls are not fans cause that is true for most, but it's not the case for me so at this point you just have to embrace the first opinions and make sure they know that this football fandom is not really temporary or changing.
2. Other girls tend to give you crazy eyes when you talk about the game.
I understand it's not normal for me to care so much, but the crazy looks and the confused faces are not gonna make me love it any less. Support me for trying to be a woman in a man's world and let me know if you have any questions, I'll definitely help you out.
3. Watching games alone is a common event....and that's okay.
Sometimes nobody's around and somebody's nobody cares and that's fine! However, I will cease the opportunity to watch my team, or any other, when I get the opportunity because it's football season and why the heck not.
4. Boys get offended if you show them up
Whether you predict what the penalty will be, what play they will run or simply know more about a team or the sport as a whole, they are shocked. It's like because you are a girl you should play dumb about the sport to increase their self esteem.
5. Trying to find clothes or gear without pink and or rhinestones is near impossible.
Sometimes I like pink and sometimes I like sparkles, but the struggle is so real to find any appeal with just a shirt with a logo or a jersey with just a name and number that isn't surrounded by pink and drowning in rhinestones. Maybe for some that's what they want, but I would greatly appreciate some plain and basic clothes, made for women!
6. Yelling at the TV g is seeming less acceptable
When my boys are struggling, you better bet I will be screaming into my TV to let them know. If the zebras need some new glasses, I'm gonna let them know too. Yes I know they can't actually hear me, but it makes me feel better and I will continue to do it no matter how much you judge me.
7. Guys try to challenge you on your knowledge on your team
Feel free to quiz me on my team's players, rings, championships, schedule, or whatever else you want. When I answer every question you ask and am not clueless like you probably imagined, please don't be surprised! I love my team more than anything and know probably way too much, useless information than anyone ever should.
8. Fellow women fans are rare...but it's great when you find them.
Many times watching games with girl friends involves lots of confusion, explaining and uninterested company, but those times I get to watch with the other girl fans that get just as intense and into it, it's the best. There is no better feeling than finding other women who love this game just as much as I do!
9. The steryotypes are endless.
People continue to try and fit female fans into a "category" when it comes to how or why they like football. It's supposedly because the guys are hot, they want attention,their boyfriend likes it or they wanna seem cool. However, it's funny to me that none of these ever involved anything based on actually liking the sport. I love embracing my own passion for a sport!
10. Despite all of these, I will always love this sport.
At some point you get over the annoying quirks of being a female fan and learn to embrace it. I jump at the opportunity to watch my favorite game and especially my favorite teams and when it comes down to it, none of the crap it really matters.
