Everyone knows what that first day of football season looks like-- crisp air, not a cloud in the sky, neighbors passing the pigskin, the smell of burgers on the grill, and the occasional yet consistent "clink" of a cold can being popped. Football is back, and all is right with the world once again. Of course this means it's time to amp up your fandom, but there are a number of things about football season to be excited about other than the football itself--here's five of them.
Monday Night Tradition
Who said Mondays have to be mundane? When football season rolls around, Monday nights are game nights. No matter how stressful of a day it may have been, football season means you have an excuse to simply kick back, relax and enjoy the show after the worst day of the week--add friends to optimize the experience.
It Brings Cities Together
Football is divisive by nature, pinning one team or player against the other (physically and figuratively). On the other hand, football also serves as a point of mutuality for those on the same side, and this phenomenon is quite conducive to some of the most hospitable and compassionate behavior you'll find between strangers whose only commonality is the city or school they share.
This theme holds especially true in instances of tragedy or disaster. As horrible as Hurricane Katrina was, Saints football gave New Orleans life following the devastation. To see a city band together and overcome such a catastrophic event is a beautiful thing, and the Saints played a big part in that--this just goes to show what a unifying force football can be.
Guaranteed Weekend Plans
The dog days of summer are a thing of the past, and it will be a long time before the cold, lack-luster weekends of a post-football world roll around. For now, it's time to take advantage of the simple fact that there is something to do every single weekend. Even if you aren't going to the game, if you're anywhere near a big city or college town, there's sure to be plenty of festivities to partake in. If you're too far from a city or tailgating just isn't your thing, going to a restaurant or bar to catch the game is always a satisfying alternative, as is watching it from the comfort of your own home. No matter how you choose to participate, football season means there's never a dull weekend.
Better Weather
This is something even those with no remote interest in football can get excited about. When football season rolls around, everyone's sick of ninety degree weather. The euphoria of summertime pool days has long worn off, and the idea of stepping outside without losing a pound of sweat sounds more enticing than ever. Fortunately, a few weeks into football season, the air turns cool and the leaves slowly but surely begin to change. Break out the pants and pullovers, for Fall is finally among us.
Fantasy
Larry Meisnerhttps://www.instagram.com/peanutm6/
For many, this may be the best part of football season. You don't have to have an affiliation or liking for any team to have a reason to keep up. In a sense, when you play fantasy football, the whole league is your team. For some, it's simply gives a reason to tune in and pay attention on Sundays. For others, though, its a passion. Whether you're casually keeping up with your players in the living room, or live streaming six games at a time, calculating how many field goals you need the Broncos' kicker to make for you to beat your best friend, Fantasy is just another reason to get excited about football season rolling around this year.
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