“It’s interesting to hear a woman talk about football like that.” This is one of the most insulting things a guy has ever said to me. Anyone who knows me, knows I am a die-hard sports fan.
Growing up in New England, you kind of have to be. I have been watching sports all weekend long with my dad for as long as I can remember.
We watch anything from golf to football to NASCAR, and I love every minute of it. We are a big sports family. My little sister could tell you anything you want to know about the NBA, and I could do the same about the NFL. We often get into heated debates over certain players and teams to the point that my mom says we could have our own show on ESPN.
This is true. I can talk sports for hours with anyone who is willing to listen. With all that being said, it is no surprise that I was offended when that comment was made in the middle of a football discussion with a friend. This guy had overheard our conversation and was dumbfounded when I was able to name another team’s quarterback, thus, he made that comment. When he made that comment I found myself thinking “little does he know.”
Little does he know about the night a Red Sox Fan and a Yankees Fan joined forces at three in the morning to explain “The Curse of the Great Bambino” to a Californian. Little does he know I talk sports on a daily basis with that same California girl. Little does he know that I have a “Free Brady” shirt, and I have almost turned that Forty-Niners fan into a Patriots fan. Little does he know that girls actually enjoy watching sports. Little does he know that they can carry on conversations with you about these sports because they watch shows like SportsCenter and ESPN.
Now, not at all guys are like this. I know many guys who think it is really cool when a girl can talk sports with them, however, I have also witnessed and experienced the guys who ignore you when you try to give your input. So I sit here writing this to all the girls who have ever been ignored or laughed at by a guy when they tried carrying on a sports conversation.
To the girls who have felt stupid or unworthy when they try to join in on a conversation about sports.
To the girls who are told that they only watch sports because the athletes are hot when in fact, that is just an added bonus.
To the girls who are die-hard sports fans and are proud of it, this is for you.
To the guy who said “It’s interesting to hear a woman talk about football like that”, you’re right, it is interesting to hear a woman talk about football like that, and that same woman knows a whole lot more about football than you ever will.
