to southern California in his early thirties, bred me to be an NFL and NBA fan at a very young age. (We barely watched baseball in our house). I have very fond memories of sitting next to my dad on the couch, watching sweaty guys run around and tackle each other on TV. I was young and the excitement that surrounded sports on television and how people reacted while getting together and watching their favorite teams was pure joy and entertainment to me.
No fan around me gave me any weird looks or thought anything of the fact that I was there with my husband, a man - and we were enjoying the game together just like everyone else. Yes, my husband had to whisper some things that were going on that I had not noticed before, but I think that is normal, even for typical fans.
This last game a few days ago against the 49ers was the first game of the season that I went to without my husband. He picked one game to take someone else to and let me do the same. I brought one of my close friends (a 49ers fan...Yuck!), who also happened to be female and we had an awesome time tailgating before the game and I was more than excited to escort her to the awesome seats we had and point out all of the fellow season ticket holders around us whom I have become familiar with throughout the whole season.
My friend, although being surrounded by sports fans her whole life like myself, shared with me that she did not know much about football and was probably going to be lost the whole game. I reassured her that I had become quite accustomed with the game over the years and I would fill her in as it went on. How many other 23-year old women can really say that? I owe it all to my dad and my husband for the football knowledge I shared with my friend that day and the fun sports facts that will stay in my head until the day I die.
But little did I know, this Cardinals game was going to be quite a different experience for me. My friend and I were not the only women there (not by a long shot!), yet I felt overwhelmed by the male energy and the looks I was receiving were quite a bit different than the weeks prior when I was sitting next to my husband. But why, I ask? Is it weird to see two women enjoying a professional football game? Were they upset that we were drinking soda and water instead of spending close to $50 in alcoholic beverages? I am not quite sure, but I do know that the atmosphere around me felt significantly different without a male body next to me.
During the game, the 49ers had a substantial lead against our team and I was getting a bit peeved, along with all of the other Cardinals fans around us. FINALLY, we scored a touchdown and although we were sitting in the “visitors” section, the stadium suddenly became loud with the roars and screams of the fans. I, too was on my feet, yelling and cheering the team on and was looking around to see that others were receiving high fives and pats on the back - but not this Cardinal fan. Again, I ask why?
ABOUT SPORTS. ASK ME WHO WON THE SUPER BOWL THE LAST THREE YEARS. ASK ME WHO
THAT GUY THROWING THE BALL IS. I KNOW! I KNOW!” I thought it was a turn on for guys to be surrounded by women who share their love for sports, but maybe it is more of a disruption or annoyance. I think I might think twice before going to another sporting event without some testosterone next to me. My mistake, sports fans. I thought a fan was a fan, regardless of what is in between their legs.
This is just one woman’s point of view. Maybe it is different for others. Again, I say, who knows? This will not stop me from loving the game and expressing my point of view when it comes to the teams and players I have admired since I was a little girl. Thanks, Dad!
- Written by Samantha McLaughlin