Amanda Greever

I grew up in a family of football fans. I’ve cheered on the Vols for years, just like other Tennesseans. I was a Cowboys fan when my brother and mom both cheered on Joe Montana and the 49ers. OK, I cheered Montana and Jerry Rice on, too. Who didn’t?

So it never occurred to me that I could ever become a “football widow.” No, I haven’t gotten married and not told you all, but the phrase is the best to describe what I’m getting at. For those of you who don’t know what the term means — although I think you can figure it out — I’ll make it simple.

Football is an obsession for some. It can apply to basketball or baseball, too, but we’ll just focus on football today. So football season starts, and your man becomes glued to his TV with a remote now a permanent fixture in his body. That is unless he can afford season tickets to his favorite team. Mr. Football Junkie becomes so fixated on watching the ol’ pigskin get tossed around that he suddenly doesn’t have as much time for his significant other and friends anymore.

I’ve seen it happen. My grandfather loves football. It’s one of the things that makes him happiest, I believe. He definitely has to watch the Vols, the Colts and the Titans. But it doesn’t just have to be a team he cares about … he might just watch a random game. Granny got pretty good at tolerating it although I know she had to be bored silly some days. They just celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary this past week so obviously football didn’t create an impasse they couldn’t get by.

And now I’m having to realize that I can’t quite compete with football, either. A good friend of mine, who we’ll call HB here on out, has proven that he will watch pretty much anything. Sunday Night Football … he’s in front of his TV. Monday Night Football … same place. Even a Friday night, and don’t even get me started on Saturdays. But here’s the amusing part. It doesn’t have to a team he gives a flying flip about. With the college teams, it could be no-name schools in Alaska and he would probably still watch it. Seriously.

And then there’s the big game between the Vols and the Georgia Bulldogs, HB’s team. If his beloved Dawgs lose, he will not speak to me for three or so days. And I’ve learned not to make the mistake of telling him that it’s just a game. Any diehard fan knows better than to say that.

So what lure does football hold over a guy that watching a football game is more enticing than yours truly? Especially if it’s some no-name team! Then again, women have been asking this question for a long time, and I’m not sure that anyone has ever found an answer aside from pulling out a whipped cream bikini or something.

Oh come on, I’m sure it’s happened somewhere.

And I do realize that it’s not just women that are left neglected when it comes to the big game. If the Vols are playing, I plan to either be at Neyland Stadium (still trying for that one) or planted in front of a TV somewhere. And I’m sure I’m not the only fanatical female out there when it comes to her team. So don’t get me wrong. I’m not questioning football fandom. I’m questioning football random. There’s a big difference … or is there? I’d love to hear your thoughts so shoot me a line.