5 Reasons to Fall in Love With Football

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Football Matters supported and sponsored this post, however, the opinions and experiences are my own.

Many people have a story behind the day they were born. My story is that I was born on Super Bowl Sunday in 1976 and my dad was actually watching the game when I made my way into this world. All my life, I have been connected to football – like it or not. I have not always been a super-fan, but I have always enjoyed the game and seen the positive impact the sport provides.

We’ve partnered with Football Matters, a National Football Foundation initiative to promote leadership and the lifelong lessons taught by the game of football and to celebrate the positive impact the game has made on millions of players, coaches, administrators, volunteers and fans nationwide. Check them out on Facebook and Instagram!

Here are 5 reasons to fall in love with football (if you don’t already!)…

1. Family Connection

Pretty much every Sunday during football season (and on Thanksgiving, of course) there was a football game on the television at my house. At some point throughout the day, my parents and I would gather in the living room to watch. My mom and I weren’t into the games, but it was a time we spent as a family.

That tradition has continued in my own home and it’s great for my daughter and my husband to have something to do together. She enjoys the excitement that comes with a touchdown and he enjoys being with her.

2. Football Brings People Together

Parties, tailgating, and rivalries. You do not have to love the game to love the food and festiveness of football. It’s a great way to connect with others, make new friends, and strengthen relationships through time together. Have you ever spotted someone wearing your team’s colors in an unexpected spot? I saw another Gamecock in Florida and was instantly excited.

3. Easy Conversation Starters

I am pretty terrible at making small talk…except during football season or if I see someone with a team shirt. I can talk about players and at least engage in a conversation about rivals. And often times these conversations lead to bigger conversations and before you know it, you have a new friend!

4. A New Season to Anticipate

Football happens just as the air is getting cooler. It’s the perfect time for chili and being outside and wrapping yourself in a blanket. Even if you do not know much about the game, it’s a great time of year to be outside – whether you’re in the stands, congregating with friends, or throwing the football around in the backyard. It helps foster family connection, brings people together, and creates easy conversation starters (basically numbers 1, 2, and 3 above!).

5. Teachable Moments

Football is more than just a game, it shows us, and especially children, how working together as a team to achieve a goal is much easier than trying to conquer it alone. It demonstrates how everyone on the team is important and makes a difference, even though they have different roles. And different types of people are also a key to success.

Football teams show how we support one another, whether it’s because we won or are experiencing defeat…and how to behave in these instances. We will all experience losing moments, but how we handle these disappointments matters. You congratulate your opponent, you don’t give up or pitch a fit. You get back out there, you keep practicing, you work together, and try your best next time.

It’s true what they say…”It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” This is applicable on and off the field. I know introducing football to my child early on in life will have a positive impact on her life…and your child’s too.

What do you love about football? How has it made a difference in your life?

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Valerie Byrd-Fort
Valerie Byrd Fort was born in Florida, but when she was four years old, her family moved to the midlands and never looked back. She is mom to Katy (human) and to Lucky, Mozzy, and Penny (rescue dogs). She is married to Marty Fort, owner of the Lexington School of Music, Columbia Arts Academy, and Irmo Music Academy. She is an Instructor for the School of Library & Information Science at the University of South Carolina, where she teaches Children’s Literature to future classroom teachers and librarians. She is also Coordinator for Cocky's Reading Express, the University of South Carolina's literacy outreach program. Valerie is passionate about books, literacy, libraries, and reading aloud with children of ALL ages. She writes about books and other literacy related topics on her blog, Library Goddess. In her free time, Valerie enjoys reading, Barre3, going to Target and endless scrolling of social media  

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