How to Make It Through the Fall Season When Your Boyfriend Is a Football Maniac

Hey, hey, hey, this isn't what you think. I enjoy watching football, but it hasn’t always been this way. I was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where the popular tagline, “a drinking town with a football problem” reigns. But I had never gotten into it. I never went to any games or tailgates like all my friends and their families did. My dad was more into Penguins hockey, so that’s how I grew up. Football was never something that had made it into my life.

Then, three fateful years ago, I started dating my boyfriend, Matt. It was then that I realized that there was no way around the football lifestyle. So instead of avoiding it, I adapted.

Matt’s father grew up in Michigan and then moved to Las Vegas where Matt was born and raised. There being no professions sports teams in Las Vegas, (until last year, GO KNIGHTS GO!!), Matt was brought up into the role of a Detroit Lions fan, and more importantly, a Michigan fan.

Me being the person that I am, I always looked at football, not as a joke, but I could not wrap my head around the passion and intense emotions that came out of watching the game. I’m not competitive (except when it comes to board games and trivia), and I never identified with a team, which makes it hard to find someone to root for. I was always the girl who picked the underdog, and probably subconsciously picked the team with the jersey’s I liked better (embarrassing I know).

There was one day in particular that I will always remember as the day that I discovered no, this was not just a game. It was early in our relationship, and we were sitting at our friends house watching football. Me having attended Ohio University (no, not Ohio State), and in poor judgment I decided to mutter the short sentence, “Hey, Ohio State won today.” Matt didn’t talk to me for the rest of the night.

Three years later I am to tell you about everything that I have learned while dating my maniac, football-obsessed boyfriend, how I have gotten through the fall months, and how I have actually gotten excited about Saturdays and Sundays from September to January.

1. Never, ever, say anything remotely in the realm of anything negative, regarding your boyfriend’s team, especially if you know nothing about football.

I am putting this as rule one because I cannot stress it enough. Even if you think it’s funny, I guarantee you it’s not. This team is their baby. They grew up as little boys watching every game with their dad and their family. They have been to the games, celebrated the wins, mourned the losses, and loved the team like their own children. If you’re a football fan and truly love another team, by all means, make your argument and cheer for your team like they’re YOUR own children. However, if you know nothing about football and only want to see a rise out of them, avoid it at all costs. These men do a lot for us and the least we can do is allow them to enjoy their Saturday and their team.

2. Prepare for the Day (i.e. Booze, Books and Blankets)

Michigan plays at 10 AM our time most weeks (we live in the Rocky Mountains) and to say the least, I have become pretty excited for Saturday mornings. We sleep in, make coffee, sit on the couch, and watch College Gameday. I have never watched this program before and I have come to love it and dare I say look forward to it. Desmond Howard’s laugh makes me giggle and Lee Corso is super old and funny and always does something outrageous in addition to putting on his pick’s mascot head at the end of the show. They also focus on one of the teams in the league and do a pretty awesome inside story, so I can get my Saturday morning cry on.

There is almost always alcohol involved. Usually mimosas and tequila (the tequila used for shots when Michigan gets a touchdown), but this weekend we got the fix ins for Bloody Mary’s. Beer is always refreshing as well.

I grab a book. I am an avid reader so this might not work for everyone, but pick up something you love that you can multi-task with! Reading, doing a craft, or working on your computer are all activities you can do and watch the game at the same time (or at least look up when everyone starts screaming).

Blankets are a must.

I grab the comforter off of our bed and make myself comfortable on the couch with our two pups, knowing the day will be long and most likely not end with his game.

Dive into it. Get comfy with it. Get a little drunk and have a great day of relaxation while simultaneously supporting him and his passion.

3. Snacks.

Let’s be honest, is there anything better than eating buffalo chicken dip while sitting on your couch and drinking a beer on a fall day? I don’t think so. Make something or buy something, it doesn’t matter, but being able to snack all day with no reserves automatically makes anything a little more bearable. Chips and dips are always perfect because they are pretty much endless, but cheese and crackers or something more complicated like sliders or mini sandwiches are also great.

4. Ask questions.

Okay, I know a lot of guys probably aren’t as patient as Matt when it comes to this one. But if you ask the right questions at the right time (and if you are genuinely interested), I believe that they will appreciate that you are trying to learn more about their game, and as a bonus, they LOVE talking about the sport. Just make sure you are asking intelligent questions about certain rules and players and coaches. Not just “why did he do that?”. Try to be educated and it truly is a great game to watch.

But at the same time, ask the questions at the right moment. Try a commercial break or a timeout. DO NOT ask questions during playtime or when they are waiting to hear the decision of an important call. Chances are if you ask during this time they won’t be listening anyway.

5. If they’re mad, let them be mad, even if it doesn’t make sense.

The other day, Michigan won, and Matt was furious. I got angry because that is supposed to be my ticket! Michigan loses, it won’t be the best day for him. Michigan wins and it is going to be a great day! So I was thrown off. I asked, “how are you so angry?! They won!!” Apparently sometimes that doesn’t matter. They were playing a team that was strongly favored to lose and the score was too close for comfort. Sometimes the defense sucks. Sometimes they miss the interception a few too many times. But you live and you learn, I guess. And that is what this is all about.

6. Celebrate with them!

I started to get excited with Matt every time Michigan got a touchdown because we would take a tequila shot and I would sink farther down into the couch until I decided to take a nap until we ordered pizza for dinner. But surprise, surprise, the game of football is actually quite exciting! Anything can change in an instant and even if you don’t watch every second it’s fun to see them so happy when something good happens. You get to yell, high five, and of course, take tequila shots.

BONUS!! INVITE FRIENDS OVER!! Most of this is about how to get through football season when it is just the two of you at home, but it doesn’t get any better than having a group of people over to watch the game. They will have a bunch of people to talk to, someone to argue sides and calls with, and you can be a part of the game, while also getting to spend a day with your friends. The snacks and drinks will be plenty and you won’t get bored with your book or work and resort to taking a nap like I do on occasion.

I don’t want this to seem like a way to “make our men happy and put up with it”, which honestly I don’t find anything wrong with because I believe in the give and take and sacrifice in a relationship. But Matt works long hours as an Executive Chef and I cherish all the time we get to spend together, so I am writing this as a way to make Saturdays and Sundays more enjoyable days and a way for the two of you to bond. When I finally started to get a hold of the rules of the game, the rivalries, how the match ups work, the history of some teams, the rituals, and all the little quirks about the game that make it special, I found myself cheering and really getting into it. Factor in the book and comfy couch time with my dogs, the Bloody Mary’s in the comfort of my own home, eating myself into a coma, having no obligations for the entire day, and making my man happy, it really has become one of my favorite days of the week, along with my favorite season of the year.