The Football Widow

I was sitting in front of the television watching a pre-season game between the Arizona Cardinals and the Houston Texans. Although it was only a pre-season game, it was still a great game. The NFL typically holds pre-season auditions for these young warriors as they work to earn their spot on an NFL roster. Unfortunately, many of them will be cut and become blue or white collar working stiffs like the rest of us.

The real NFL action starts in the fall month of September. It’s my favorite time of the year. The days are windy and the leaves have started to turn brown and fall from the trees.  It also signals the coming of Halloween and Thanksgiving. 

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday of the year. I look forward to a great turkey dinner and watching the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions. A great NFL game is the perfect way to finish off a Thursday. If you are a true NFL fan, I just described paradise.

Now that I have described paradise, let me describe life in the abyss. The abyss is where the football widow will reside from September 9, 2007 until February 3, 2008.  According to the internet, the official term is for those who have a relationship with a sports fan (often a follower of football, soccer, or rugby) who pays more attention to the game than to their partner during the sport's season of play. Football widows are usually women who have little or no interest in the sport themselves.

These women are left to fend for themselves during the NFL season. If you don’t believe me, go to the internet and read some of the football blogs. These poor women are pouring out their souls to anyone who will listen. They are the abandoned and the forsaken. Sadly, just a few weeks ago, they were mothers, wives and daughters; they have now become America’s football widows.

They can be seen at the local grocery store pushing a cart full of kids, beer, wings and nacho chips. You will easily recognize them because there will be no sign of a husband or boyfriend. The men are busy at home warming up the couch and big screen television. I have seen these widows in the checkout lane purchasing the snacks that will eventually lead to their destruction.

As I look at them, I just want to tell them to just step away from the beer and chips and run for their lives. Of course, this would never happen as the bonds of love are too strong to separate these couples. From what I understand, some of these men sit in front of their television sets so long that they begin to grow cobwebs. You will recognize these men as they will be the ones with spiders nesting in their hair Monday morning. 

I have been an NFL fan for nearly 31 years. I admit that I have NFL memorabilia, pictures and cups of my favorite team. I understand the pain that these women endure. Yes, I am a recovering NFL addict. It’s been hard though as I try to limit myself to watching no more than 4 games per week.

My wife has helped me through my addiction. I used to spend my entire Sunday in front of the television set watching anything related to a football game. Thanks to the love and support of my wife, I am getting better every day.

Many women don’t understand the madness that overcomes their man during an NFL game. They can’t explain what would make a grown man put on a viking helmet or wear a dress and a pig snout and call himself a “hog.” I don’t understand the madness either. Just the mere thought of a 300 pound beast destroying some 200 pound quarterback is enough to send any man over the edge.

As a former addict, I can offer some helpful advice to the football widow. Give them household jobs that can be completed while they are sitting on the couch. For example, my wife gives me clothes to fold while I watch a game. I can also vacuum the living room floor during commercial break. These are just a few examples as it will take some creativity on your part.

My final solution is to use this time to bond with your man. Why not go to the library or internet and research the game?  If you become informed, you can sit with your man and enjoy the game with him. I can see the headlines, “The NFL bringing men and women together everywhere.” I can already feel the tears welling up in my eyes.

- Lee Butler

(Photo from www.germes-online.com)

Comments

[Becky]

This isn't an issue between my boyfriend and me. I love football just as much as he does.

[Marilyn]

I'm not interested in football or any sports for that matter; though I will say I rather like the idea of the 'boys of summer' if I had to choose.

Fortunately for me, my husband is not a sports fan in the least. But even if he was, I could find something to do whilst he indulged in sports gazing. And NO! it wouldn't be shopping.

And, to evade the last stereotype here, I have a friend (male) who considers himself a football widower -- his significant other loves the game, while he does not. It's not only men who become obsessed.