How I learned to love football
In the beginning of my sophomore year, a friend suggested I join her to help record stats for the football team. When I sheepishly admitted that I didn’t know a thing about football (and frankly, I had no interest), she told me not to worry, she would teach me. “And besides, you get to go to all the away games and ride on the bus with the guys.”
Yes, getting closer to the players — seniors! — is what sealed the deal.
At first, I felt quite lost, trying to remember even the basic rules. Reception or interception? Punt vs. field goal (both had kickers)? Offside seemed like the most ridiculous name! But after a few games, I got the basics down, and I found the excitement of the sport really energized me. Running up and down the field to record yardage gave me a great sense of the game. I started talking to my dad about football (he was a Packers fan) and I began watching the Steelers games. I was fascinated with the athleticism of wide receivers and running backs. So I bought a Lynn Swann jersey and it was a staple in my wardrobe, especially worn over a turtleneck during that final, awful winter of 1979.
When I moved to California, I dated a guy whose family were devoted Oakland fans — RAIDERS. I figured the name was a good omen. I wondered if I would remember what I had learned on Weiss Field? I had flashbacks to running along the sidelines, and it was all still there. I went on to become an avid Oakland Raiders fan, planning my study breaks in college around the games. My mother used to close the windows in our house before a game, not wanting my cheering (yelling) to annoy the neighbors. I would often watch Monday Night Football with my dad, and he would always teach me a tidbit about the game along the way. I treasure all these memories.
I’ve experienced so much fun from football because I did stats for the Waukegan West Raiders. And all because I wanted to hang out with boys.