On my commuter to work this morning, I was cycling past Union Station and saw a man wearing a Steeler's jersey. Instinctively, the 25 year old Kenny almost took over to shout something like "Steelers suck" or "Go Pats!" - but then I remembered I'm winding down my football fandom. It doesn't make much sense to me anymore to obsess over a team of men I have no connection to and have no loyalty to me. But I have noticed how much time and energy fanatics devote, and it is quite significant. The number of flags that fly from cars, license plate holders (I have a Patriots one I almost installed on our car a few weeks ago to replace the Red Sox one), bumper stickers, and grown ups parading around in jerseys of their favorite team. I've heard of workplaces where it is acceptable to wear your team colors on the Friday before game day.
For myself, I have noticed that with each successive season, my enthusiasm for watching sports has waned. Baseball remains my favorite sport, but there is no way you can watch all 162 games. Football is much more manageable with only a game a week for the fall and partly into the winter. The Sundays I have spent in sports bars in the past has taken me away from a lot of other good I could have accomplished. I could have written one of my many book ideas; worked on a project around the house; read a book; gone for a hike or walk; or just connect to other people. Yes, watching football helps me connect to some of my closest male friends. That is something I prize and am conflicted about how I will manage going forward. Truthfully, I don't know.
I do not know if I will succeed in my quest, but as +stevealmondjoy told me, "One Sunday at a time, brother."
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