Kimberly Dalferes | Author

Crazy, Southern, Irish Gal, Author

Smells Like Football!

by

When my son Jimmy was six years old, we were coming home one evening and as we stepped up onto the front stoop and I reached to unlock the front door, he looked up at me and said:

“Mom, there are frogs in those bushes.”

“Oh yeah,” I replied. “How do you know?”

“Because I can smell them.” 

His little beaming face was so excited; I do believe he really could smell those frogs. That kind of glee, that sheer joy of knowing that something exciting is right around the corner, is how I feel every September at the start of each football season.

I love football. Now, I know that loving something like football seems silly, but I do, I really do love it. I’ve always loved football. When other little girls were swooning over David Cassidy and Bobby Sherman, I was crushing on Bob Griese and Larry Csonka. OK, maybe I also had a little thing for David Cassidy…

At high school football games, as the other girls laughed and socialized in the stands, I was often heard yelling at the refs or trying to shout out plays from the bleachers. Post high school, the Football Gods most definitely knew what they were doing when I ended up attending Florida State University, home of the FSU Seminoles – GO NOLES! Don’t even get me started on the legendary Bobby Bowden; BEST. COACH. EVER. 

Most of my gal pals, including my own Mom, do not understand this transformation that I undergo each Fall. I do sometimes find it difficult to explain my all-out obsession with this sport. However, here are a few insights as to why I so look forward each year to that first weekend in September when the season kicks off anew:

  • Mondays, after all my teams have won. A perfect Fall weekend for me is when all of my teams: the Seminoles; the Dolphins; the Nittany Lions (shout out for Jimmy); and the Wolfpack (shout out for husband Greg); have won. There is of course an exception: when the Seminoles play the Wolfpack each year (they’re both currently in the ACC), I am ALL team FSU. Hubby knows this and steers clear when necessary.
  • A close game with little time left. There is just nothing better than a game that comes down to the wire. The score is tied or separated by three or fewer points, the team with the ball is driving down the field, no time outs left, the Hail Mary pass goes up…. I swear I get a chill just thinking about it; how can you not?!
  • Armchair quarterbacking with my Dad. I love to talk football with my Dad. It’s one of the best things we have in common; this love of the game. Every once in awhile there’s a little side wager; I’m pretty sure he’s won a time or two more often than me, but I can hold my own – thank you very much.
  • The “Tomahawk Chop” and other traditions. It’s truly an unforgettable experience to be perched in the stadium and feel the energy of 80,000 fans all moving and chanting in unison. Whatever your tradition, you know exactly what I mean when that buzz starts. I haven’t been to a Florida State game in awhile (never miss a televised game), but I will be attending one this coming October. I’ve got my Seminole fight song all ready to sing. I. CANNOT. WAIT. Lucky FSU sweatshirt circa 1984 is already packed.

So ladies, how do you feel about all of this? Are you a football loving gal pal or do you put up with the football crazies under duress?

See you in the bleachers. Oh, and one more thing…

Cheers,

Kimba

Comments

  1. I'm a football fan by marriage!  I figured it was better than being a football widow. 
    OH this is one thing I do love about football, it means that cooler temperatures are on the way!
     GO BLUE! (My husband if from Michigan) and I do ask about Da Bears and will "watch" (read while its on in the background) when the Bears play Detroit. 
    Jean
    Gratitude Coach
    http://socgratitude.com/32934
     

    • Da Bears!  I'm not even a Chicago fan, but I love to say "Da Bears."
      Sorry, can't support you with the "Go Blue" being that my son attends rival Penn State!
      Thx for stopping by Jean.

  2. Okay, first I have to say I LOVE your photo! I am aware the season is upon us, but I don't watch football and don't have anyone in the house who is a fan, so it's pretty much off my radar screen. None the less, I really enjoyed your story 🙂

    • Thanks Marquita!  The photographer is Tori Buell – she is brilliant! "TB Photography", and I have an e-mail address for Tori too if anyone wants to talk to her about her work.  Appreciate your stopping by too – have a great weekend NOT watching football.

  3. Just like you, since I was a little girl, I've loved football.
    Two years ago when my oldest son played his first season in high school, Kenny Chesney, released this song (which brings me back to that point in time)

    So just as you "smell" football, I now "feel" football every time I hear this song…

    http://youtu.be/AlXDo5WhQXI

    Great post by the way…:)

  4. What a great storyteller skill you have Kim!  Reading your post is so enjoyable.  I love how you describe your son's anticipation of discovering frogs to introduce your anticipation for the football season!  Then you tied it all up so beautifully describing the significance beyond the game.  I could see how your special times with your father turned the games from an entertainment activity to a father/daughter opportunity to bond!  Excellent example for many fathers to follow! Great job!!!

    • Thx Delmy.  I appreciate your stopping by and leaving such a thoughtful comment.  Past weekend was an "OK" football weekend: beloved Noles won, but the rest of my teams kind of fell apart.  However, next weekend is just a few days away! 

  5. Hello Kimba,
    I loved reading your post. I could almost smell the frogs too…LOL I love football as well. I am originally from Canada so Hockey was the sport my dad watched. I never really got into it. I got into football when I was 30 years old and lived with friends in Dallas. i was initiated to football the year the Cowboys won! I remember cooking a traditional dish for my friends for the Superbowl…What a great time! 

    • I think you might be thinking of FAMU: Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (both FSU and FAMU are in Tallahassee, FL).

      The Florida State University Marrrrcchhiing Chiefs! are most definitely NOT suspended! 🙂

  9. hey Kim, this was fun – our footie season over here in the UK is beginning too, I'm not much of a fan but I do get patriotic and watch all the internationals. Live games here and in the USA have wildly different atmosphere's – I went to a game in Atlanta some years back – Whooo – that was something !! – so I bet you enjoy your Live Game this season.
    I did a few live UK games in my youth, had lots of fun, though that could have been because of the boys (if you can't beat 'em – join 'em)  – and did get some exciting ones – you're right about the singing – it lifts you up 🙂
    I wish you a Grand Season  – Go Noles!
    Jacs

  10. Well, as much as I'm a girlie girl and have had a crush on Tom Selleck since the 7th grade, I'm equally a tomboy.  So, yes, I love fall and football.  (GO 'SKINS!!)  But it's always a little bittersweet for me, because with it comes the end of the baseball season, and that makes me incredibly sad.

  11. Oh, I can sooo relate to your son who has the acute sense of smell for frogs.  Just before a snowfall, I can smell the snow in the air.  When I sense that smell, I know it's time to wax my snowboard.  As far as football goes, I live with a Packer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, so there you have it, enough said.  I also live in a great college football town of Boise, Idaho where the turf is blue (also known as Smurf Turf") and it is mandatory that we support our guys.  Great post to build the upcoming excitement.

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