From the beginning, I've been raised to love football. I have a brother and a dad who count down the days until Monday Night Football, the first day of Aggie Football, and just the fall in general. In fact, eight out of eleven of my closest male family members played football in high school and some even college. My brother grew up playing football with my dad coaching, breathing down his neck of course. Me being the younger sister, I was forced to tag along and entertain myself by playing “house” in the dirt with my imaginary friends. Every now and then, however, I got lucky and was blessed with one of the other player’s little siblings that weren't forced to be at every practice and game. Looking back now I couldn't be happier my mom dragged me through the dirt (literally) to go watch my brother play and my dad coach.
As I got older and, eventually became bored with my plastic dishes, I finally started to realize the great game the good Lord blessed us with called football. As I finally actually started to understand the game, I began to fall even more in love with football. I'm sure you hear most girls rave on about the tight pants, the uniforms in general, and of course, the muscular boys who have the perfect amount of sweat to make them glisten under the Friday night lights. But no, I am not your average football fan girl. I love the excitement that comes with kickoff, the incredible talent it takes for these athletes to play this great sport, and the weeklong preparation and anticipation that begins with hard physical practices, hours of game film, and the passion that these athletes show on Saturdays.
I'm sure, by now, you're wondering why I've gone on and on about football. Well, I'm probably the only girl you'll ever meet that can say she's painted a field for game day (more than once), hosed a player's vomit from a concussion injury off my shoes, and have witnessed an outstanding tackle that resulted in an ankle that no longer looked like an ankle. It may seem strange to some of you how this could contribute to my love for football, but it just intensifies my love for the game. Here's what I'm asking you to do: consider the fact that these players have been putting almost endless hours a day, seven days a week, into a single game, on Saturday, that sometimes only last, on average, only 3.5 hours. Not to mention, in Kyle Field, there around 108,000 people who stand, on the verge of passing out due to heat exhaustion, to support these athletes. These 108,000 are not only just supporting the team, but also, while covered in sweat, embrace each other to sway back and forth, in support of the Aggies and their beloved team. Does it get any better than that?
So here's the thing, I've gone on and on about a silly game with a pigskin, but to me, it's so much more than that. If you don't know the rules, it's time to educate yourselves. If you are quick to criticize players, I suggest getting to know a few and what they go through. If you think it's too hot, get a fan. If you've never stood in Kyle Field, buy a freaking ticket, and sway with the 12th Man. (A-A-A WHOOP)
