Football

Why do I love this game so much?  Baseball wore thin on me after the strike in '94.  I never totally got back to being a fan and have since giving up except for the occasional Reds game on the radio (grew up in Cincy).  The NBA or NO TALENT league with it's player issues and selfish play has burnt me out.  I followed the Red Wings when I lived in Detroit for about 8 years but now living in Indy, there is no team, no news, and nothing on tv NHL related.  But the one thing that I have that is ALWAYS there and dependable has been football.  NFL or college.  I don't care!  I LOVE EM BOTH!

Don't get me wrong, neither are perfect leagues.  NCAA needs a playoff and the NFL has had some player issues too.  But you gotta like what Roger Godell is doing for the league and it's image.  They just get it!  The salary cap, parity, great stadiums, weekly build up to big games, great rivalries, and more!  It's a complete package of emotion, raw energy, talent, athleticism, strategy, and execution!

I lived in Cincy from 7 to 19 watching the Bengals go from Super Bowl contenders to 3-13 draft lottery whores.  I then moved to Detroit and got to see Barry Sanders finish his career and then dump the Lions like yesterday's news.  They have spent the many seasons since in futility.  I have been lucky to be here in Indy for the last 5 years and watch as Manning and Dungy have transformed not just a team but a city.  When I came here it was BASKETBALL, BASKETBALL, BASKETBALL!  But the Colts broke through that barrier and now we have a beautiful stadium starting next year, a great team, a super bowl win, and an amazing coach.  But all along the way in Cincy, Detroit, and even when Indy was building this historic team - regardless of the talent and quality of wins, I was still having fun just watching football.  I would watch Cleveland vs Arizona every week if I had to.  I just love it!  Have I mentioned that yet? :)

Growing up in Cincy there wasn't a real local powerhouse of football.  Great basketball from Kentucky, Louisville, Xavier, and Cincy but not much football.  Louisville was in a bit of a football drought and Kentucky just couldn't compete recruiting with Florida, LSU, Alabama, Georgia, and the rest of the SEC.  So I ended up following Ohio State and occasionally Notre Dame since they were on tv every week.  Obviously Ohio State has been good to me and it was a ton of fun living in Detroit and having some fun smack to talk with my Michigan friends.  But lately has been a real nirvana with Kentucky being ranked in the top 10 (tough loss last night) and Louisville starting to consistently compete with the NCAA elite again.  And of course Ohio State is right there at the top as always.

These past few years have been football nirvana with many of my favorite teams experiencing a rebirth and others being crowned champions.  I guess this could contribute to my blind passion for everything football but then again I was still spending noon to midnight on Sundays watching when the teams were 3-13.  So maybe I have deeper issues. :)