I need to hear from the women on this if you are a football fan.

[LuvBaloo]

I had nothing to do with football until I started dating my DH. He took me to a game, and explained things simply. My DFIL takes his wife to games, but doesn't explain things to her or attempts to over-explain. So she has been going for about 10 years and still doesn't understand or actually enjoy the game, she just goes to support him.

For me, DH explained things simply. Like a previous poster said, someone explaining the basics on each play can really help to make sense of the game. It took a long time for me to enjoy a game on TV, going to a live game was much better because there's so many other things happening, and there's excitement in the air (cliche but true!). I enjoy the cheerleaders performances, making noise when you're teams on defence, the silly events that happen during TV commercials. It also really helped when we went to watch training camp. I'm in Canada, so our league is a lot smaller. My teams training camp was quite open, we went and you could wander around the edge of the field watching the different positions practicing drills, and see interaction between the players. I ended up with a favourite player, who was great for interacting with the crowd at games. DH got me that players jersey, so it made the game better. Another thing that helped was going to games with other people, so I was part of a group. Cheering on your team is more fun when you're with people you know - if the team scores, its high-fives amongst friends.

If its really not her thing, you'll never make her enjoy it, but if she's willing to try it, and you can keep it an event, not just watching a game, then she might enjoy it.

Do any of your teams do activities to get the ladies involved? My team does a "football 101" and "football 202" course for ladies only. I did football 101 and it took place at the training facility, with 2 players (1 defence, 1 offense) leading a evening information session where they explained the basics and gave you a tour of the locker room. It was great for me, and DH wished he could have done it. So far, I haven't been able to make it to football 202, where there's more players, and they actually set up different drills to the ladies can try it.

 

[Mellie2162]

I only got interested in the last few years. I decided that I needed to get interested in some of DH's things and since hunting and fishing were out for me it was football. Once I started watching with me and he started explaining the game it got a little more interesting. Of course it doesnt hurt that Peyton Manning is yummy to watch. Now I find myself watching even when he's not home and now its really to see the game and not the players.

 

[agame2323]

Wow! We have some smart ladies on this board. There are some really good suggestions going around. Thank you.

"Onelilspark" I was thinking the same thing. That she didn't want to be seen in the new Cowboys stadium. I know I didn't. Okay...that was wrong. Funny but wrong.

 

[honugirl]

Personally, I find football excruciatingly boring to watch, but I'll play it until the cows come home. Maybe you just need to show her how fun it can be? I also agree on the Ladies football 101 classes. I went to one at our local college last year and it was a blast. Too bad they cut the football program this year or I'd be back there again. The best part is getting to smash into the pads. Woohoo!

 

[Auggietina]

Um... men in tight pants I really don't care to know anymore about the game. That's enough for me

ETA: Beer - forgot that there is lots of beer. I like that too

 

[Snoopymom]

Hines Ward Baby!

Dh has always been a Steeler's fan and for years I would watch the games, but I didn't really care until Hines Ward. His personality and enthusiasm, just a stand up guy without the attitude and always smiling, so I became more interested, bought a jersey to wear for the first time and actually wanted them to win.

...and then I got into watching The Bus and his dad who never missed a game and his mom who would cook for the whole team, and Polamalu blessing himself and thanking his wife, etc.

I think we need to feel like we know the players as people. I love to watch the interviews and those highlight shows where they have audio of everything going on on the sidelines, and you get to see them in pain, or hear them joke around or cheer for each other.

Maybe it would help if she knew some of the player's backgrounds, if she knew some history or trivia stuff, or about their charitable work? I've heard Tony Dungy's book is awesome.

I hope this makes sense and good luck!

oh, and there's nothing more fun than an out of town sports bar team headquarters. You can't help but get into the game. It's like a special private party and there are usually just as many girlfriends and wives there as guys, plus the food and drinks have to be really good. The fans are there every Sunday and they could all just decide to find another bar.

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

i think we need to feel like we know the players as people. I love to watch the interviews and those highlight shows where they have audio of everything going on on the sidelines, and you get to see them in pain, or hear them joke around or cheer for each other.

ita

 

[ZephyrHawk]

Well, for me I was brought up to it. My parents are both rabid college football fans and my falls were always filled with football parties and tailgating and the like. When I met DH he wasn't all that interested in football, but he eventually came around...in large part because of me. However, I believe a major factor in his conversion is that "it's easy to like a good team". Really, if your team is consistently in the top of its division, then its much easier to get into it. You have fewer sad walks home from the stadium and the like. This is a lot easier to find in college football, where there are traditional powerhouses, than in NFL, though.

Okay, some other things:

1. Parties. Girls can get into parties. My parents tailgate like pros. Early morning mimosas are followed by bloody marys and after game cocktails...not to mention what's sneaked into the stadium. Food is grilled, but not just burgers. Steak. Soups. Once a year they boil lobsters in a big turkey fryer. And, of course, everyone shares. You have to do it with a bunch of friends. Same thing with away games. Don't sit at home and watch it on the TV, where's the fun in that. There must be friends and munchies and wine.

2. You need to find a way for her to identify with a certain team. If it was college the answer would be simple, you pick your college or the state school closest thereto. With NFL it's a little harder. I mean, I work in Detroit. You try to be a Lions fan. Uh uh, not happening. Loving football is not necessarily about loving the gameplay itself. It's about wearing the colors and cheering the band and clapping for the mascot.

3. The number one best way to get anyone to pay attention to any sport...institute betting. End of Quarter and total score are two popular ones where I come from.

 

[blissventure]

Lots of good suggestions here. I'd add maybe occasionally watching something like Mike and Mike in the Morning on ESPN. It's informative, fast paced, and often funny. Even though it's a general sports show, this time of year it's mostly football. I'm not sure all women really get that beyond the serious stuff, there's a lot of fun and humor in sports. (I have introduced a few of my friends to sports this way--for example, they had no clue how hilarious ESPN's "fake" ads can be.)

 

[pooh17]

I became a football fan as an adult, and only after I met my now DH. He loved football, so Sundays were dedicated to watching his favorite team play. We made a tradition to dress in our favorite lounge wear, order a pizza, grab a bottle of wine, and watch the game. Just the 2 of us.

The more I learned about the game, the more I fell in love with it. I swear I'm a bigger fan now than my husband

Good luck!! You can do it!!

 

[dairyou]

I think that most women like to find things that are relatable. For me I love the Colts because of Peyton Manning. I saw him on those goofy Visa commercials and then found out about Tony Dungy and his story. I love Kurt Warners life story also.

I noticed you had the tickets to the new Dallas stadium. I would have loved to go! Did you watch the reality series "4th and Long" on Spike tv? Jesse Holley was picked out of a group of guys to play for the Cowboys. Maybe you could somehow hook her that way. Does she like reality tv?

Anyway, you got alot of good ideas. Hopefully she'll come to love football. I can't wait to hear Monday Night Football playing in the backround while I make dinner. Football season seems toooo short!

Deb

 

[dizluvah]

I agree with other posters: cute butts, cute players..whatever works. My suggestion is a spin on the betting...

My DH and I have been married just 6 years. We lived together for a year before getting married. He is a huge football fan and each year purchases the satelitte package that allows him to see EVERY NFL game anywhere in the country. He insists we plan our social activities around the Charger games (we live in NH but he is from San Diego).

For the first five years living together I could have cared less about the games. I would go shopping on Sundays or read or watch something in the other room.

Overtime I picked up bits and pieces about the game just from it being on all the time. Last year I decided if I wanted to spend anytime with hubby during the NFL season, I better learn to appreciate football. I suggested that DH and I join a free fantasy league so we each joined and our fantasy teams competed against one another.

I am very competitive and I was not going to embarrass myself in Fantasy football or lose to my hubby and listen to him gloat. I researched, read, followed the mock drafts. All of a sudden I couldn't get enough of NFL network, ESPN, if it covered NFL football I watched it. My fantasy team did well, I made it to the Fantasy superbowl but my team did not win it. Dh's team didnt' even make the playoffs!

So I guess my point is, even if it looks hopeless, she may come around, I did eventually.

Have you tried just reasoning with her? Given that your profession will expose her to players or possible social events with football minded people perhaps it will be beneficial if she learns the basics or can at least speak the lingo. So she's more comfortable in those situations.

Good luck!

 

[dizluvah]

NFL has been great about doing those Feature type stories during the pre-game shows. I know I always liked the nice backstory on a player - it is more personal maybe about their parents or some hardship in their lives. Not sure if that is gender specific but I tend think women can relate to the story - maybe that could get her interested.

 

[merryweather20]

I know if it were me I wouldn't want to take 'good' seats away from someone else. She may be more up for see a local team play as a starter.

I got total clutch tickets to see Swan Lake one time and my DBF was like fine I'll go with you, but you owe me. I was like, "you're not invited", I took my grandmother who would appreciate it. I'll go see OHL games every day of the week but if he got Stanley Cup tickets I'd expect him to take a 'real' fan with him.

 

[onelilspark]

I think we need to feel like we know the players as people. I love to watch the interviews and those highlight shows where they have audio of everything going on on the sidelines, and you get to see them in pain, or hear them joke around or cheer for each other.

I think that's very true and something I would have never thought of. Here's some examples just with myself...
Brian Urlacher...spent a summer internship in Chicago. Every morning on the radio I heard about an ex-girlfriend of Urlacher's who was suing him for child support (an outrageous amount, btw...) I got so tired of hearing about it, that I developed this irrational dislike of Urlacher. And whenever someone asks me why I don't like Urlacher, I start up with, "well you see, his baby mama wanted mo' monies, but he didn't wanna give her no mo' monies, you see how it izzzzz...." It was funny to me, it still is

Then there's Brian Dawkins (BDAWK!) And granted, I'm an Eagles fan for life (good or bad :cough:Vick:cough: ) but I love Dawkins. He's such a well spoken man. He truly cares about his teammates, the city of Philadelphia, etc. He never curses. He's usually the one who was mic'd because you didn't have to worry about him saying something you didn't want on the air! He was a faithful man, a force in the locker room, and someone the Eagles should have never let go. Because of the things I learned about him, I'm very feisty when it comes to someone criticizing his playing. Perhaps irrationally because I can look and see that he is aging, but I believe his value to a team goes beyond how he plays on that field. And I'm much more passionate about him as a player than my male friends...sure they like him, but not nearly as much as I do. I think it's a distinctly female trait.

Payton & Eli? I even like Eli and I'm an Eagles fan!!! I wanted him to win that Super Bowl so badly, just because his brother always gets all the credit!

Oh, and this was a conversation that my friend and I had...
"Man, Colts & Pats, I don't know who to root for."
Me: "What do you mean you don't know? I think the choice is obvious, Peyton."
"Why's that?"
"Well, take a look at the two QB's. You're walking down the street carrying a bunch of groceries, they all fall... Brady's most likely the one who tripped you and Peyton will probably help you pick everything up and then hold the door for you. I think the choice is clear."
"True."
...that conversation would never occur between guys. Just between gals. Because we care about what people are like as humans, not just players.

I think that most women like to find things that are relatable. For me I love the Colts because of Peyton Manning. I saw him on those goofy Visa commercials and then found out about Tony Dungy and his story. I love Kurt Warners life story also.

I noticed you had the tickets to the new Dallas stadium. I would have loved to go! Did you watch the reality series "4th and Long" on Spike tv? Jesse Holley was picked out of a group of guys to play for the Cowboys. Maybe you could somehow hook her that way. Does she like reality tv?

Anyway, you got alot of good ideas. Hopefully she'll come to love football. I can't wait to hear Monday Night Football playing in the backround while I make dinner. Football season seems toooo short!

Deb

Promise us you won't have her watch the T.O. show? Please Pretty please?

What trash. (Yeah, I'm biased )

 

[The Mystery Machine]

What was it that turned you onto the game?

I make my career as an NFL and NBA agent and for some reason, can not get my girlfriend to get into football. One of my clients gave me tickets to the opening game in Dallas. He plays for the team so these were pretty good seats. She decided to stay home! I tried to explain to her that the stadium was brand new and cost 1.2 billion. She didn't care. She really doesn't understand the game all that well and someone told me I should try explaining it to her. The funny part is she knows about player contracts because she hears me talk about it when I'm on the phone.

Ladies...how do I get this girl to become a football fan!?

Is she is TX native? What HS did she go to? I find that I am enjoying college ball better than NFL although I have a soft spot for the Cowboys after living in DFW for 3yrs.

I saw MIZZOU play the Cottonball 2 yrs ago.

Find her gateway team.

 

[dairyou]

I think that's very true and something I would have never thought of. Here's some examples just with myself...
Brian Urlacher...spent a summer internship in Chicago. Every morning on the radio I heard about an ex-girlfriend of Urlacher's who was suing him for child support (an outrageous amount, btw...) I got so tired of hearing about it, that I developed this irrational dislike of Urlacher. And whenever someone asks me why I don't like Urlacher, I start up with, "well you see, his baby mama wanted mo' monies, but he didn't wanna give her no mo' monies, you see how it izzzzz...." It was funny to me, it still is

Then there's Brian Dawkins (BDAWK!) And granted, I'm an Eagles fan for life (good or bad :cough:Vick:cough: ) but I love Dawkins. He's such a well spoken man. He truly cares about his teammates, the city of Philadelphia, etc. He never curses. He's usually the one who was mic'd because you didn't have to worry about him saying something you didn't want on the air! He was a faithful man, a force in the locker room, and someone the Eagles should have never let go. Because of the things I learned about him, I'm very feisty when it comes to someone criticizing his playing. Perhaps irrationally because I can look and see that he is aging, but I believe his value to a team goes beyond how he plays on that field. And I'm much more passionate about him as a player than my male friends...sure they like him, but not nearly as much as I do. I think it's a distinctly female trait.

Payton & Eli? I even like Eli and I'm an Eagles fan!!! I wanted him to win that Super Bowl so badly, just because his brother always gets all the credit!

Oh, and this was a conversation that my friend and I had...
"Man, Colts & Pats, I don't know who to root for."
Me: "What do you mean you don't know? I think the choice is obvious, Peyton."
"Why's that?"
"Well, take a look at the two QB's. You're walking down the street carrying a bunch of groceries, they all fall... Brady's most likely the one who tripped you and Peyton will probably help you pick everything up and then hold the door for you. I think the choice is clear."
"True."
...that conversation would never occur between guys. Just between gals. Because we care about what people are like as humans, not just players.




Promise us you won't have her watch the T.O. show? Please Pretty please?

What trash. (Yeah, I'm biased )

I'd never watch TO. My DH is a 49'er fan and ever since he played there my DH can't stand him!

 

[ticktock]

You need to figure out if she just has never been caught up in it or actually doesn't like it.

I personally could never stand football because #1 I hate the intensity of the announcers, the way they talk climbs right up my spine and kicks in the back of my skull. Hate it. #2 It irritates me the way people complain about paying for important things like drugs and medical care but blow tons of money on irrelevant thing like football or Vegas. It takes many people with 12 year degrees a decade to develop a life saving drug but then they should just give it away? Meanwhile we are paying half literate date rapist millions of dollars to play a game? Yes I know they aren't all like that, but I also know I'd rather give my money to someone who will cure cancer then a guy who can catch a ball.

Anyway my point is that if she was just never interested you might have a shot at getting her into it. If she is like me and can't stand the thought of it for a multitude of reasons there is no hope. You need to figure out which it is. Why does she have to like it anyway? My DH watches football, he gave up on trying to get me to watch it a long time ago. He also goes to a smelly ,giant rabid raccoon infested island every year to go fishing. Yeah, after one try I don't do that either. I tell him it's GOOD for couples to do things apart. I don't really listen to him when he talks about work either. I'm a bad wife.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

Im a huge football fan and actually just got home last night after traveling for the first cowboys game. In my case, i grew up around my dad, uncles, and brother, who all watched sports constantly. Due to wanting to be around them when I was little, i learned all the rules and now love watching sports..
Like others said, maybe watching the pre-game shows when they keep the focus on one player will help her get interested in certain players at least/

 

[vettechick99]

For women, football is like sex. You have to be emotionally invested for it to be any good.