September 10, 2017 might just sound like any ordinary day to many; but not to football fans. No, that day marks the opening games of the regular season. Just writing about it gives me a chill that travels up my fingers to the core of my spine. The chill might be excitement or because the crisp fall air has arrived. Regardless, I can assure you that I am ecstatic about the start of the NFL. For me, football season is more than just statistics, great plays and big upsets. It is my tradition that I hold so close to my heart.

Sunday’s are typically a downer. It is the day before the dreaded day of Monday, which we can all agree is torturous. Not during football season. Well, Monday’s definitely still suck, but it makes the Sunday’s significantly better. When I wake up in the morning I spring out of bed at the thought of Sunday football. Normally, a hangover from Saturday nights shenanigans will bed-lock me for as long as possible. But, on these magical mornings, I get an energy that propels me out of bed and into the shower.

You can’t have Sunday football without appetizing food and beers. I always make my way downstairs to the sweet smell of chili, wings, or stew that has begun its slow delicate cooking process. We always buy the materials the day before to anticipate an early start. The aromas fill the house within minutes. I get out the fire wood and let that fire place roar. Growing up in the woods of Connecticut, it is crucial to have fire making skills. My technique is quite simple. I stack about four logs then cram as much newspaper as I can in-between the gaps and under it. Then I light it on fire and pray that the logs catch. The fire keeps the house toasty and gives the living room a nice ambiance.

I then find myself digging through the fridge to find some ice cold beers. There’s a selection of IPA’s, craft beers and a couple of natural lights left over from the weekend. Beautiful. I go right for the IPA’s to fill up my empty stomach as I patiently wait for the food to finish cooking. It is at that moment when my preparation is done. I walk over to the living room with the fire roaring, glance outside at the leaves trickling off the trees from the wind, sit down on the couch, turn the TV on and don’t move for the rest of the day. It’s like a spa treatment, total relaxation.

My Sunday tradition has been going on for as long as I can remember. It makes the fall an exciting time of the year. Football fan or not, I strongly urge you to get your own Sunday football tradition.