I have been called a “Football Nut” in a local newspaper. My sister in law was called a football fanatic when her husband was interviewed on our local radio. To be honest, I think the reports about my family are greatly exaggerated. I attended football camp at the University of Georgia to learn more about football. Seeing women at football camp helped me learn that being a “fan” means more. I have seen things now that make me question my own level of loyalty. Here’s what I learned.

A fan is anyone who enjoys football. A fanatic is anyone that includes “we” in the conversation when they are discussing the team. “We” are not playing. They are putting on a show for us. I enjoy it, but I am not a team player this time. The team lives football, so I don’t think I have the right to say “we”. It takes away from their sacrifice for the team.

A fan is someone who will talk to the players and coaches like they are people. A fanatic is anyone who attacks players and coaches like they are the Beatles. My examples are all of the women who were cat calling the 18- 21 year old players. I was afraid for the guys. Most of these women were old enough to be the kid’s mom. I have seen better manners at a construction site.

I enjoyed football camp. I can’t wait to go again. I want to learn the game and understand what I am seeing. Most of the women wanted to see the players and coaches. The instruction part was secondary to them. One of the people with us felt that way. She has no interest in learning the game. But she loved having her pictures taken with the players. I guess we all have our reasons to watch football. I am just crazy enough to want to understand it.

Before you ask, I was not cat calling players. I kept thinking that this could be my son. I didn’t try to attack a coach either. They are smart people that love the game or they wouldn’t be where they are in life. I respect them too much to treat them like meat.

I didn’t participate in the touch football game either. My husband was appalled. I just couldn’t do it. They had some real life size women playing rough. I can’t be on the DL (disabled list) in my line of work. Maybe if I start now, I can be trained and ready for next year. The goal is to out run them all.