If you grew up in the south you know that football is not just a game, but instead, it is a way of life. The S. E. and C. aren't just letters, they stand for a culture that you love. While people who aren't associated with the best football teams in the nation might not understand, the SEC is something that is a part of who you are.
1. Superfan Even in Childhood.
More than likely, you wore had multiple jerseys and T-shirts of your team while growing up. You understood that these articles of clothing were to be respected. You wore them to football get-togethers on Saturdays, but you also wore them to sleep, to the store, and sometimes even to church. There normally wasn't a question about what team you supported because were also very vocal about your loyalty-- especially in school. You also knew who else in your classes liked your team and you knew who liked your team's rival. On the week leading up to game day, everyone would repeat some smack talk the overheard their parents saying. So, being a super fan wasn't just something that happened when you grew up, but instead runs deep in your blood.
2. September Everything Changes
There is something about the ninth month of the year that changes the entire dynamic in the south. On Saturdays, the restaurants aren't as busy and you can run into Walmart without seeing 25 people you know. Families that have a house divided begin to speak less and there is an overwhelming amount of tension in the air. To people who weren't raised in the south this would be a weird phenomenon, but we know it's just because football is on. This only last through football season, though. Give is a few months and everyone is back to "normal"--Whatever that means in the south.
3. Saturday's Eating on the Couch
It's impossible to watch football without eating. I'm like 99% sure that it is against the law to do so. With this being said, football season is when the living room becomes the dinner table. It's basically the same thing-- Everyone gathered in the same place, eating the same food, and spending quality time with the family. Well, unless your house is divided by two different teams because then things can get awkward.
4. Sweet tea and Endless Chicken wings
We know how to eat (and overeat) in the south. Football parties are like Thanksgiving dinner but with appetizers instead of Turkey. There are a plethora of foods that vary from a chicken dip, veggie trays, mozzarella sticks, and even brownies. There are two staples that every SEC fan has on game day: Sweet tea and Chicken Wings. There's nothing like having buffalo sauce covered hands/face/clothes and getting 5 cavities all in one meal.
5. Sunday Everyone is in Church
After all of the games are over and some people go to bed crying while others go to bed cheering, the next day everyone is in church. Many people have to ask for forgiveness because of their craziness from the day before, but hey we all make mistakes. Some of the kids will be wearing their team's gear and all of the dads form their little football pow-wow in the back. Also, there are probably going to be a few football references in the sermon about the week's wins/losses because it's something everyone relates to.
While other parts of the country might not understand all of the hype and madness, it doesn't really matter. If the SEC has taught me anything, it's loyalty. Win or lose, I love my team. And while we might not get along on Saturdays, we are all still proud to be a part of the SEC.
