Bring it, baby
I am a football mom.
I love being a football mom. I go to every game I can, even if it is four hours away. I sit in the rain, the snow, the sleet and I sing the school song. I ice bruises and layer on antibiotic to cuts. I talk through bad plays and listen to endless hours of strategy. I know the stats and formations of the opposing teams. And I have the NFL channel playing in my kitchen.
I am a football mom.
Or…so I thought.
Until I met….Kathy.
Kathy is also a football mom. But see, Kathy had a son who graduated two years ago, so she’s been this route before (my son is only a sophomore…a STARTING sophomore. Starting at Middle Linebacker and Fullback….but I digress….) so she knows that being a football mom isn’t just about listening to plays and driving to games and icing bruises.
It’s all about the look.
I thought I had my act together until I arrived at the game and realized that I had NOT brought my A game to the stands. I do not look like a football mom.
And see, it’s not just about the gear…it’s about the details.
These details.
And don’t forget the earrings. Earrings!! With her son’s number!
Blindsided! Blitzed for the tackle!
Worse, I looked around and discovered I was surrounded by the Varsity moms!
This is Lori. Her son is the QB, #11. Her husband is the coach.
Lori is a football mom.
Not only that, but she brought a GRANDMA to the game with her! In fact, you can’t see it, but there is an entire ROW of grandmas back there.
I don’t have a football grandma.
There are others like me in the stands. Like my friend in the pathetic pea green coat.
Kathy sure looks gleeful. Probably because her son just made a great tackle.
Whatever.
Fine, Kathy, if that’s how you want it.
I will get the gear. The blankie, the numbered hat, the button, the jacket…the earrings. Maybe even a tattoo. (Okay, maybe not, but...) I will not be benched. Sidelined. Sacked.
Because I am a football mom.
Game on, baby.
Susie “the Scrambler” May
We've just entered into the football stage of our lives. Only a peewee league, but it's football just the same. If our son keeps at it, I'll have to keep this in mind.
My husband is planning to be a AG-Ed/FFA teacher soon. And in some schools the farm kids are like the football stars. Our family will be steeped into the HS culture.
Posted by: Winter Peck | October 04, 2010 at 09:29 AM
LOL!!! Suz, you're still number one with me. And I've become a football mom this year too. Obnoxiously facebooking every play, every score, every thought. And my son is playing 7th grade football. Just wait until he's in highschool.
Posted by: Tracey Bateman | October 04, 2010 at 09:39 AM
I can sooo see you in football Mom gear! I'm barely a football mom. My 10 year old plays flag football, and I've only been to two games this season (don't judge, his dad's always there ;) I'm more a stage mom. NOT in the bad sense of the word. And when I was asked to be in a play because they needed adults (not my extraordinary talent) I reluctantly said yes. I prefer being a stage mom from the front row, BUT being backstage was fun as well! Wonder what stage mom gear should be? Any suggestions, Susie? I have an inkling you've had practice cheering in a dark theatre! ;)
Posted by: Gina Conroy | October 04, 2010 at 11:05 AM