I am glad football season is over. Although they would never admit it, I believe most men are also relieved that the season has ended. Each game is stressful, even when your team’s not playing. I always feel for the coach’s wife or for the player’s mother. They are left cleaning up after a big loss by trying to rebuild a man that is feeling depressed and dejected.

I began experiencing anxiety surrounding football when I was a child. I watched the Cowboy games with my brother and father and would wear a red “lucky” hat that I would pull over my eyes when things got too intense. Usually during the last quarter, if the game was close, I would hide in my closet, with door closed and pray for a Cowboy victory. My mother would periodically yell updates from the other side of the door… “Their in Field Goal Range!”

While in college, I went to two Orange Bowls for the University of Colorado’s fighting buffalos. I was so consumed with football, that I did something so stupid, so insane, so completely and utterly brainless - I got a tattoo of the school’s mascot. Yes, forever branded on my ankle is a buffalo created by a tattoo “artist” who had had a thing for dragons and mermaids. Most people confuse mine for a bunny or a turtle and I often wear a band-aid to conceal my sin. All this for the sake of football.

After college, I decided to end my football obsession and went completely cold turkey. I stopped watching football entirely. However, in a cruel twist of fate, I now work at a television station where I share space with none other than members of the sports department. In addition, my children love the sport and my oldest played his first season of flag football. Once again, football is everywhere and I have found myself slipping into unhealthy behaviors such as reading the Sports Section.

However, I hope now that I am older and wiser I will refrain from anymore football foolishness and not succumb to bizarre fan behavior such as painting my face or dying my hair purple. I am committed to being a responsible fan and being a good example to my children. After all, there are more important things than football… especially during off-season.

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