Everybody has it. That one thing they wait all year for-- the preparation, the perfect colors, the perfect foods. For some, it's Halloween. For others, it's Christmas, and if you're a fan of football in the south, it is definitely football season. We take it very seriously down here. From coordinating your perfect outfit (or else they won't win, duh) or throwing the tailgate to end all tailgates, everybody has their game day traditions that are not to be tampered with. If you're not familiar with football, don't know what is happening, or what the fuss is about, its definitely a game that anybody can watch and the fire is infectious. Rivalries are begun, friendships formed, and anybody can agree, a Saturday is best spent with a cool glass of sweet tea and a college football game.
Weekends are planned around football.
Yes. In some towns, Friday nights are just as important as Saturday. Our football roots run deep. You cheer for your high school as hard as your college team. We have to plan everything about the weekend ahead of time. Where we will be, what channel is playing, the quality of the TV and how well we can hear the game. This includes your wedding. Sounds crazy? So does missing that fourth quarter hail Mary. Football season only comes once a year, remember?
There is NO such thing as "just a game."
This game can make or break our team, our reputation, everything we've worked for. Yes, I say we, because I'm not losing my voice for just anything here. It could be "just a game" to someone who doesn't understand football or why we cheer so hard for our team. "There's always next year" is not an option here. This is not just a sport, its a culture.
Team colors are a must.
In every way you can squeeze them in. On your car, on your phone, on your face book, your laptop, your dogs sweater, your babies onesie, your clothes, your shoes...you name it, we got it. In both colors.
Don't come to a football discussion unprepared.
We've been working on this. We know statistics, probabilities, reasons, facts, stories, etc. Your argument can and will be met with counter arguments, and powerpoint presentations if necessary.
Don't question traditions.
Every team, school, player, and fan has them. It's a part of what makes football, football. Each one is unique with it's own history, that everyone can tell their own stories about and share year after year, season after season.
Whichever team you cheer for, we can all agree that football is just as much a staple in the south as grits, sweet tea, and fried chicken.
