A lot of people may be surprised, but the fact of the matter is, some girls love football just as much as guys do. No, we don't just "act" like we like it so we can get attention from men. I know, it's shocking that we can like a "man's" sport without trying to get attention, right?

Let me explain why it's important for others to know it is possible for women to enjoy a sport too.

As a girl who loves football and probably could get 100 percent on a quiz about it, I'll explain my story.

I was born into a family where football Sundays were, and still are, an important thing. Of course, being my dad's baby girl, I've always been spoiled by him, but when my little brother surprised the family with his arrival, I knew my dad was ecstatic because, "yay! another son to play football!" Side note: He has actually become really great at it, and I am rooting for him to get into a good college.

The main reason football became such a big part of my life was because of my older brother and my father's love for it, because, hey, what little girl doesn't want to be with her daddy and big bro, cheering on their favorite team?

Once my little brother came into the picture, football became an even bigger part of my life: three days a week of football practice and a football game every weekend.

Once I became old enough to start making my own decisions and choosing what I wanted to do, being a part of the football culture was still at the top of the list. I have always been the girl that, when a boy would say "You can't do that; you're a girl" or "You don't know anything about (insert stupid assumption here)," I would endeavor to prove them wrong, and I did, every time—especially when it came to football.

Liking football has always been something that gave me strength. It gave me a passion that makes me happy and excited, whether my team is winning or losing; Normally it's losing since I'm a Cowboys fan. However, it's always been something I've really enjoyed, and I thank my dad and older brother for making me love it!

To my dad and brother, thank you.You nurtured my love for sports based on my terms that only grew as I got older, and not for getting attention.

Thank you for showing me how to become the strong woman I am today. You showed me how to like something that is considered more "guy-ish" and ended up teaching me a huge life lesson. No matter who is in my life—whether they're friends, a boyfriend, a husband—my passions are not based on stereotypes or the people I am with. My passions are based on my needs.

Girls like football, baseball, and other sports, because we enjoy it just like men do. We should not be looked at differently than men because we may have something in common with a man. It shouldn't come as such a surprise, either.

We as women are independent, we are strong, and we do not just like things because we feel others will like us better for it. We make our own decisions.

I am proud to say that I am a girl who loves football!