September 8 is a day that I had been looking forward to since February 8. After seven long months, regular season NFL football is finally back. It's nice to have football back, something to do on Sunday (Monday and Thursday) nights to avoid studying.

Football has technically been back for the last four weeks or so thanks to the beauty of preseason and public practices, but this is the big time. This is when friendships are tested due to rivalries. During preseason and even the offseason, I have personally gotten into arguments with good friends because they hate my team (if I'm being honest, though, everyone hates my team). Back to football, though, this is when everything really starts to matter. This is when you scream at the TV because someone made a stupid play that caused an easily avoidable turnover. This is when chips become a serious option for a meal.

NFL football inevitably brings conflict because there are so many good teams. Most of the country hates the Patriots, specifically Tom Brady, and most Patriots fans hate the rest of the country for hating Tom Brady. Even the NFL has recently joined in on hating Tom Brady. That's fine, though. Everyone is entitled to their own team, and it's wonderful to see them all battle it out on the field every week for five months every year. I must say, there really isn't anything better than watching thousands of people yell for hours about a game whether they're there in person or not.

The excitement of football follows everyone wherever they go. No matter where you are in the country you are bound to find a person who loves watching football more than spending Sunday night preparing for the week ahead of them, I know I sure do. Every team has at least a few fans in every pocket of the country. Even in the most intense rivalries once that game begins, no matter who you're cheering for, everyone is banded together thanks to the love of the game. Everyone will be cheering on their favorite team. Even once the regular season ends and the postseason fight for the Super Bowl spot begins, the country is in unison cheering for the team that they love more than a good night's sleep.

So here's to regular season NFL football! Here's to the best of the best hitting each other a lot over a few hours for the enjoyment of the nation. I honestly believe that there isn't anything better than football season.

Now, if you need me during game time from now until February, good luck distracting me from the game to which I will inevitably be glued.