Be honest... how many of you have ever done something totally ridiculous because of your favorite sports team?
Anybody? Anybody? Bueller? Bueller?
You can't see it, but I'm timidly raising my hand. Yes, I am guilty as charged. In fact, if this were an actual court of law, I wouldn't be found guilty of a misdemeanor. I'd get a big old felony on my record.
You see, the moment the first balls start pounding the hardwood here on Tobacco Road around this time of the year, I start to get nervous (I know some of you are shaking your heads in dismay, thinking, "It's the heart of football season!". Yes, you're right... unless you live in ACC country. This part of the South enjoys Pop Warner and the pigskin, but what really gets us juiced is the squeak of new sneakers on the basketball court). Nervous, you say? Yes. Not because my team is out of national championship contention by New Years, but because my team is a perennial favorite. And a perennial pariah. Let's just say, my favorite team has been accused now and then of being a little elitist. But now's not the time or place to debate who is the best or the worst-- it's a chance to admit to our vapid fandom.
So, in the spirit of my nervousness, I get a little... crazy. First, there's the flag. I put it out in front of my house every single gameday, all season long (even the exhibition games that don't count). On the off chance that some cataclysmic event prevents me from getting the flag mounted on its post before the crack of dawn... and my team loses... then I berate myself. "How stupid could you be to forget gameday! It's your fault they lost!" Blame the point guard who racked up 12 turnovers? Nope. It's all on me.
Then, we head into conference season-- that games that really matter. This is when my behavior goes from crazy to downright bizarre. See, I believe in "fan karma"-- that my actions directly impact the success-- or failure-- of the boys in blue. Here's an example: let's say my team has been doing really well in the first half, but then, during halftime, I have to use the restroom. I get up, I go, I come back. Then, to start the second half, my team goes on a massive scoring drought. It's my fault. The only way to amend the situation is going to the bathroom again. The logic? When I went to the bathroom the first time, I turned off my team's mojo. By going the second time, I turned it back on. This mode of thinking applies not only to myself, but to DH as well. If he chooses to watch agame with me (and honestly, at this point in our relationship, I'm surprised he does!), he is subject to the same rules and regulationsto which I subject myself. I can't tell you the number of times he's been ordered to return to the exact position on the couch he was sitting in during the first half in order to get the team back on a hot streak.
By the time March rolls around, my marriage is in serious jeopardy. After a winter of moving from couch seat to couch seat, being forced to go to the bathroom even when he doesn't have to, and being told that eating the wrong foods during gametime could spell doom for my team, DH's patience is wearing thin. And to be honest, so is mine. March hasn't exactly been the best time of year for my boys over the past few seasons, and my anxiety level is reaching its peak. We should have let our All-American rest most before the tournament. We shouldn't have tweaked the line-up so late in the season. Seriously, why don't I have a direct line into the Coach's office?
Then it's tournament season... bizarre makes way for simply insane. Inane. I lose all composure. I can hardly speak to my coworkers who have made the unfortunate decision to route for the wrong team. Any window of doubt by like-minded individuals is met with disdain and scorn. Now is not the time to doubt-- it's the time to buckle down and really let my fanaticism show. Meaning? I will wear the same socks every day until my team is knocked out of the NCAA Tournament. You're thinking this is madness, right? I don't wear the socks all day every day... could you imagine me wearing heels with ATHLETIC SOCKS to work? But I do wear those lucky socks at least a bit of every day during tournament season, just to help inspire the team. I know they are jazzed up by me sacrificing my otherwise clean feet to smelly, dirty (I don't wash them until the tournament's over, either) gym socks. What makes them lucky? I was wearing them the night my team won it all a few years ago.
That is hysterical. I take it you want Duke to win the Final 4??
Can't say that I have any rituals. Of course our house is in the heart of SEC country and our blood bleeds orange. Football is our sport.
Marie (http://wifeofhousehubby.blogspot.com)
Oh NOOO not a duke fan!!!! My husband and me by having too watch are tarheel fans!! It will be war this year.. ;)
Where are you from anyways..we live right outside of charlotte!
We (little guy and I) wear team shirts every Fri and Sat during football season (sometimes even by weeks). It helps the team. They know we're out here supporting them!!!!
Well, as we've established, I'm a Colts girl, which is good for our relationship here.
But, I live in Bloomington. You know, Indiana? Yeah. Hoo-Hoo-Hoo- HOOSIERS! This might be a real negative for our relationship. You Blue Devil, you.
Oh I am so glad I am not into sports! I'd rather blog any day although I have been known to sit on the edge of my seat during the Super Bowl but that doesn't count, does it??
Is it wrong I'm rolling my eyes? :)
My DH has firm superstitions, regarding his Bears & Sox... And, it's the only time you see him exhibit his Catholic traditions.
(You do know that I personally ruined the 2002 White Sox season by coming home one night during a Twin/Sox game & asked to talk to him)
So, while you all laugh and rejoice in your superstitions, I will continue rolling my eyes... And hoping J was not blessed with this rabid gene.
I don't but I know that my husband probably does but since he is never home I don't really know
I don't follow sports... sorry!
But your behavior does sound quite bizarre! But if it's working for you and your team, who gives a hoot?! GO FOR IT!
http://www.thewannabewahm.com
stopping by because I am a working mom (most of the time).
Hmmm...Sean doesn't really have any crazy rituals, BUT he has sworn (over and over) that he will never go to the FSU games because every time we're present, they lose...Let's see if we can break that streak this weekend! It's FSU and Wake on Saturday! Ry and Will are joining us, so maybe they'll be the good luck charms we need! :)
Help! You need help, Elizabeth! I don't have any sport craziness like that, but I am *highly* entertained by yours...
I took a minute away from unpacking into our new house to catch up on the blogs! (I'm addicted!)
Speaking of addiction, for me - it's football. Even tho Kansas City has had a sucky team for a long time, I still love the game.
And I still come home from church every Sunday during football season - throw on my lucky Chiefs sweatshirt - grab my Ruffles potato chips & French Onion Dip - and a Diet Dr. Pepper, because I'm watching the calories and all (yeah, right!) - and turn on the game. Sitting on my favorite blue sofa.
I probably need to change my ritual, though, because the Chiefs have one game in the last 2 years. Something's not working. And I know I'm doing MY part.
TTYL,
Sherri
Girl I am with you on that one. Die hard Bama football fan here. The first game of the season every year I just pay special attention to everything I do and everything anyone wears and if we win then I keep everything the same for every game the rest of the season. This year the first game my daughter wore crimson BabyLegs with white stripes on the bottom. She has done so since then until the Tennessee game. My mom dressed her that day and she put the BabyLegs on the wrong way with the white stripes at the top. I couldn't figure out why we were doing so horribly until I noticed her BabyLegs were on the wrong way. I switched them around just before Tennessee's field goal attempt to win the game. Yep...they missed. All because of Isabelle's BabyLegs.
Thank so much for visiting me and also for following me. I am following you now as well. Your daughter is adorable!!! You are so blessed. When my girls were that little I would spread a sheet down on the kitchen floor and make cookies with them. It was so much fun. Have a blessed weekend.
My hubby is a HUGE 49'ers fan. He has to wear his jersey every game because if he doesn't, well, that's why they lost! And if I come into the room and they start playing bad, then I better leave! Goodness knows the team saw me through the TV and started to play bad!! I just laugh. At least I know he's not the only one doing these crazy things ;)
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Your family is adorable, and I love that you say 'G' is "my heart outside my body"...very sweet! I am a new follwer :))
Yeah...another Duke Fan! Woohoo! My husband worked there for 13 years so of course we bled that beautiful color blue. Always had to wear the gear. I miss my ACC so much. I can't find it on any station until the NCAA's in NH.
The sporting event that gets my blood boiling is the yearly TransChaco Rally. You can read about it in one of my older posts. My husbands cousin won it this year. It is considered one of the most difficult races of the world.
Thanks for dropping in on my blog today! See you around! Hugs from Paraguay!
Can't say I have any rituals, but I know my friends do. I have some serious Bears fan friends. And Cubs. Ok, there's a theme there - usually those teams suck. Yes, I know.
Now, you mention the Oscars and there is for sure some craziness around that one. Hubby knows not to talk to me during that show.
BTW, I see you're in NC (Duke gave it away for sure). Almost moved there this year. And almost for sure moving there within the next couple of years if we get our way. Love it there!
I'm not a basketball fan, but I do follow the Gators when they play. We have all sorts of ridiculous stuff for football. Same clothes. Can't wash them during the season (the jersey anyway). I know gross. Unless they lose, then of course you have to wash that stink off. Crazy right?
BUT what's worse is none of the stuff we do for college works for the Jags. They just suck no matter what I do.
I am not THAT into the sporting world, but my son has learned Saturdays we eat nachos while watching BYU football. The whole time my hubby escapes the madness and does something (probably video games but I don't really notice) while we are jumping up and down and yelling at the television.
Aren't sports fun?
You are a fanatic, lady! I'm not a fan of any sports but my husband is an idiot about WVU basketball and football, the Steelers, and the Penguins.
Hi!
First time visiting, great blog!
we are Viking fans...and would even put massive ear muffs on our small child and pay $200 for a seat for him...insane...plain and simply insane.
Wow! I'm so glad we're not the only ones. A friend of mine was blamed for our VOLS losing to Alabama this year because she wasn't actively pee-ing - granted, she was sitting (exiled) in the bathroom, but not actively pee-ing.