Dear Dad,

Thank you for teaching me about football.

Seriously! I would not be half as knowledgable about this amazing sport if it was not for you. You made me sit on the couch all day Saturday and Sunday growing up to make sure I knew what I was talking about when I watched the games. You encouraged me to pick a team in both the NFL and college. You encouraged me to like the SEC but you did not force it on me. Most importantly, you allowed me to ask questions and gave me genuine, thought out answers.

I never thought all of this knowledge would come in handy. However, as a college student who now goes to bars/stadiums on Saturday and Sunday instead of a couch, knowing what I am talking about has been a major plus! I can get upset when my team misses a first down or know it is okay that we are behind by a few points at half time.

You have taught me the right way to watch football. This includes good food, a good environment, comfy seating, and a cold beverage. You taught me that the lines on the field for first downs are not really on the field. This was one of my more stupid questions but you treated it the same as when I asked intelligent questions as well. You informed me of who you would be cheering for but never made me cheer for the same team you were. You allowed me to form my own opinions about teams and that may seem small but it meant a lot.

My favorite thing that you have taught me about football is to pick a team and stand by them no matter what. It is inevitable that teams are going to have good and bad years. It is known that at times these teams are going to break our hearts. They are going to make it to the national championship and lose or they are going to do great in the playoffs and bomb in the super bowl. It is okay! Come next season I will still pull my jerseys out and be just as proud as I was the season before. You taught me that no matter what happened last year, this is a new year, a new season, and a new team.

I guess my main thank you is for allowing me to crash your Saturdays and Sundays on the couch. Thank you for taking me under your wing and teaching me everything I need to know. Teaching me both facts about on the field and off of the field. Thank you for making me the girl that guys want to talk to about sports and not the girl that annoys them about sports. Thank you for answering my questions when I was young so I don't have to ask them as an adult. And lastly thank you for making memories with me all the time but especially during football season.

Love,

Your football loving daughter