For those of you that follow NFL pro football I’m sure you are aware that my Green Bay Packers lost to the Philadelphia Eagles this past Sunday in their play off game. A sad day for me as I would love for my team to end up in the Super Bowl again. The last time the Packers played in the Super Bowl was in 2011 playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers. And we won! I still remember that feeling of elation my brothers and sister-in-laws and I shared as we watched the game together. What a wonderful feeling after having watched the Packers win the biggest football game of the season.

I have learned when one is emotionally attached to the outcome of the game that feelings can run very high. Any year that the Packers appear to being closer to playing all through the play off games, well, it is harder to watch each progressive game. The stakes are higher. At times I remember thinking, “Oh my gosh, what if we lose? We are so very close!” I have caught myself pacing around the room, or unable to sit in a chair for very long because I just can’t sit still. My phone will chirp because family and friends are watching the game too and sending me texts. Go, Pack, go! Then there’s the times I catch myself holding my breath as a long pass is sent down the field. Please, please, please catch that ball. Hooray!! Or I’ll hear myself moan out loud because some player on the other team reached up and grabbed the ball out of the air. No, no, not an interception. I will sit down again, totally deflated. Let me tell you, some seasons it’s a lot of work to watch the team you love play ball.

So this year it’s easy. No real emotional attachment for me, which means in some ways I will enjoy the football games even more. I really do enjoy watching football, though there are times I wonder why. Football is played mostly by very large men and can be a rather aggressive, violent sport. I don’t have a violent bone in my body. But I love all the surprises the game will give you in any given play. And the one-handed completed passes by the receivers are unbelievable. That football will spiral down the field for yards and yards, flying through the air, and then one talented man will reach up and pluck it out of the air with one hand, then tuck it to his chest as if he will never let it go! And at times it is all done with so much grace and balance that I wonder how does such a big man make it all look so easy?

So now I am pulling for two teams to win the Super Bowl. The Buffalo Bills because I like that team and they have never won a Super Bowl. Beginning in 1991 they played for four straight years in the Super Bowl, ending this streak in 1994, and losing each time. Perhaps this is their year. The other team I am cheering on is the Baltimore Ravens. Lamar Jackson is their quarterback and he played college football for University of Louisville, my old alma mater. This coming Sunday these two teams play one another at Highmark Stadium in Buffalo. So you see, a fun game for me as either way I cannot lose. Then whichever team wins I will keep pulling for them.

But I’ll be ready for next year, hoping my Packers make it all the way to the biggest game of the season. Nevermind that my emotions will be jumping back and forth, like two people passing a hot potato back and forth. I enjoy a little drama in my life some days, and it’s the least I can do for my team. (I have a secret dream that one day I will personally meet ALL the players on my Green Bay Packers team, and shake each one of those gentlemen’s hands.) A girl can always dream, right?

To those of you that have your own favorite NFL team I wish you all the best. And if you make it to the Super Bowl enjoy all those high drama feelings. Next year it could be very different as we all know no team wins every year.

c   Love, Joan

Note from Joan: At this time you are not able to comment on my post. My wonderful IT man, Vernon, is working on this issue. :O)