I finished college before I ever saw a football game. My family watched plenty of football on TV every fall weekend, but I was completely uninterested in the game. I had no idea how football was played, and frankly I didn't care.
Basketball was always my favorite sport. I enjoyed watching college basketball, especially the NCAA tournaments. So when I began grad school, I didn't make much effort to get football tickets. Instead, I concentrated on getting a chance to see as many basketball games as I could. 
Then my roommates learned that I knew nothing about football and had never seen a game. They were horrified. One of them was a band assistant, and she got me watching the games so I could check on the band performance. My other roommates spent home games at the stadium and away games with me in front of the tiny TV in our apartment, patiently explaining to me how the game is played.
I finally got a chance to buy a student ticket to one game. As soon as I walked into the stadium I was hooked. Fans were everywhere, dressed in the school colors. The mascot and cheerleaders were circulating around the football field, encouraging the crowd to shout even louder. We only had bleachers to sit on, but nobody ever sat anyway. Most of us had to stand on the bleachers in order to see anything. I strained to hear the voice of the announcer as I tried to make sense of the game.
To be honest, there is still a lot about football that I don't quite understand. But in the fall, my Saturday afternoons revolve around college football and my favorite team. No matter what their ranking is each week, I do my best to watch the game, and I dress in the team colors. My husband teases me that my mood on Saturday evenings is directly related to my favorite team's performance. What can I say? I'm a fan!
COUPON TIME
If you're a fan or you know someone who is, these deals are for you:
15% off one item at NBAStore.com 
Eligible items will have the following text on their product pages: "Save 15% Off a Single Item!"
Use this link to activate the coupon.
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
10% off all jerseys at NFLShop.com 
Valid online only. Use this link to activate the promotional code.
Valid through: December 31, 2008, 11:59 pm EST
15% off your entire order at Dick's Sporting Goods 
Eligible items will have the following note on their product page: "Receive 15% off Entire Order"
Valid online only. Use this link to activate the coupon. If there's a problem, enter promotion/discount code DSP_ALL20 at checkout.
Valid through: January 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
20% off a purchase of $99 or more at Eastbay.com 
Use this link to activate the coupon. You should see LKS18NE9 in the Source Code box during checkout.
Valid through: November 28, 2008 11:59pm CT
$25 off an order of $125 or more at The Sports Authority 
Eligible items will have the following note on their product page: "$25 OFF Orders over $125"
Valid online only. Use this link to activate the coupon. If there's a problem, enter promotion/discount code V2U9YQ in your cart.
Valid through: December 31, 2008 11:59pm ET
