With high school two-a-days in full swing, pre-season college training, and media coverage on all NFL teams taking over - I can't help but to be filled with excitement over the approach of my favorite season.

What is it about football season that makes even those who aren't huge sports fans count down the days until it starts? Is it the anticipation felt throughout the school leading up to Friday night lights, or the stress of picking the perfect game day outfit for your college's tailgate party on Saturdays? Maybe it's the excitement you feel when you get home from church on Sundays and change into your oversized jersey and sweatpants - immediately considering what kind of pizza to order later that day.

I don't discriminate - college, high school, pee-wee, and professional football all hold a special place in my heart. Heck, I hear the words backyard football and I drop what I'm doing. I love everything about football season including the aspects that take place both on and off of the field.

I firmly believe in the traits that football instills in the players who have enough heart to pursue a spot on the team. As a fan and a prior athletic trainer, I have watched the hard work guys put into each and every second of training. I have stood beside a team as they pushed themselves both mentally and physically in the mid-day heat. I admire the tedious drills they go through, and the hours of film they watch just to prepare for one game. I love the adrenaline and excitement seen in each and every player on the team, whether they're on the sideline or in the game. I love the passion and the mind set that the players on a football team have, and the teamwork that coaches push for.

I stand in awe noticing even the littlest aspects of the game. The way each team has their own unique pregame rituals and how the fans all have their special quirks that they wholeheartedly believe help their team earn a win leaves me smiling like an idiot in the stands every time. I love the guessing game that comes with watching the plays unfold. Will we try and run the ball more this game? How will our linemen play knowing that the quarterback we're up against panics in the pocket? Should we play it safe and take the field goal or push for two? If you're not sure, you can always ask the fans sitting next to you because I promise they won't be shy in sharing their opinion.

I adore the high I get from each game I watch and how we, as fans, will ride our high for a day or two until we immediately switch back into pregame mode, talking about the next game coming up and what "we" have to do to win it. If our team lost the prior game, it was all on the refs, but if we won - it's all talent. A football fan's favorite thing to do is rep their team, as well as learn why other fans love their team so much. We, as football fans, don't budge on why our teams are the best - no matter what their record is this season or the prior. Our teams are always "going ALL THE WAY this year." We just know it. Pride and commitment is an understatement when it comes to football fans.

So bring on the Friday nights bundled up in the stands with hot chocolate and Sundays on the couch glued to the T.V. I can't wait for the constant "DaDaDa, DaDaDa" that echoes everywhere as people pull their phones out to check their fantasy team. I'm looking forward to small talk focused on the games that took place the past weekend, and tailgates spent with friends and family. Bring on the band playing their hearts out and the cheerleaders cheering until they're hoarse.

I joyfully await the entertainment, pride, and fun that enters
each football fan's house with the first kickoff.

Welcome back football season.
I've been counting down the days.