Football.  Say it to yourself and try not to get excited.  Contain yourself.  It’s hard, right?  The simple thought of the sport can bring forth emotions of all types – excitement, joy, sadness, hope.  We all have experienced these feelings at some point in relation to the game.  From actually playing to being a casual fan, we’ve all experienced the roller coaster of emotions.  You find yourself immersed in the game no matter the level of competition – Pop Warner to the NFL.  As the game continues to rise in popularity, the immersion continues to deepen.  Friday nights at your local high school,  Saturdays yelling at the TV for your Alma mater, Sundays glued to the internet for fantasy scores whilst cheering like a madman for your team. Popularity is at an all-time high.  The days of baseball being America’s pastime are over.  Football is our new pastime. Buy why?  Why do we love the sport so much?  What about it generates these emotions and drives us to spend hard-earned money to enjoy it or, if you’re like me, stress so much about it?

We set out to get answers to these questions.  Not from the four of us but from all types.  Fans, coaches, players, journalists, etc.   We wanted to hear from these people and let them explain why they love it.  Fortunately, we found the answers we were looking for.  And we found more.  Football doesn’t just deliver the emotion mentioned previously, it also creates memories and builds lasting relationships.  Pretty powerful stuff.

Over the course of the next few weeks and maybe even longer, we will share these stories as they are written firsthand.  These were not collected from Google searches or previous interviews by other media outlets.  They were shared directly with us.  All we asked was a simple question, “Why do you love football?”  I have a feeling that when you read their responses, you’ll have similar reasons and they will conjure up that old familiar excitement that only football can.

Here are a few quick responses we have received so far.

Tracy Wolfson, CBS Sports Reporter

“Why do I love this game? How can you not? From my days at the University of Michigan to my sideline treks throughout the SEC I’ve seen some of the best college football in the country. What has stood out throughout my years of covering this game has been the passion surrounding it. It’s different everywhere which is what makes this game so unique. The traditions, the tailgating, the stadiums, the history, the rivalries. It never gets old. I can cover 5 straight Iron Bowls and each one would be special in its own way. I know how fortunate I am to be able to be a part of this game week in and week out. I wouldn’t change it for anything!”

Xander Collins, PeeWee Football Player

“‘cuz, um, when they kick it off to you, you can score. And, um, I like tackle because there’s more noise.
And. I like tackle because there’s lots and lots and lots and LOTS more movements.”

It should also be noted that when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up, Xander replied “A football player because they get to score touchdowns.“  That is pure love of the game.  Not for fame or money but for the thrill of scoring a touchdown.  Awesome.

Hugh Freeze, Arkansas State Head Football Coach

“Man, I love it because of the relationships that are built and the opportunity to impact the young men that you coach. The competitive spirit in all of us is also a part of it when you are on the field and in practice or games competing. Ultimately, I hope it always comes down to the relationships that you build with the staff and with the players and knowing that you have a chance to impact their lives. I think that’s my calling in life right now and that’s why I enjoy it.”

We’ll be sharing more of these responses soon.  In the meantime, if you would like to let us know why you love football, email us at illegalshiftblog@gmail.com.  Your submission could be included in this on-going series.

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