The Passion and Pain that is Football

It starts with those NFL commercials.  Tempting me with visions of seasoned veterans with sure hands that know exactly what to do to score.  Sprinkle in some young bucks, full of enthusiasm and the desire to prove themselves and I'm primed to go. 

This is followed by the PreSeason, where most of those aforementioned young men have the opportunity to strut their stuff.  It's just a Tease job and never leads to satisfaction but it's a fun path to take to the Goal line.

By the time Regular Seasons begins, I'm primed and ready to go.  My heart races and I'm vibrating with anticipation as I watch that very first kick-off.  Each game stirs me into a greater frenzy until I completely lose control. 

This weekend marks the start of the Playoffs and although I enjoy this stage of the game, I am filled with melancholy.  The fervor that I felt in the beginning has transformed into something better.  Something more manageable and far sweeter.  I love this part.  I do.  I also know that things will be coming to an end soon and the echoes of past seasons send a dull ache through my chest.  But I won't let that ruin the remaining time we have together.  I will treasure each game, each minute.

When it's time for the final game (can I write $uperbowl?), I will not let you down.  I will be there and we will reach the pinnacle together as we do each season.  We will ride the wave to culmination and if there is a tear in my eye at the end, let's just blame it on the passion rather than the pain.

I'm going to miss you when you're gone.  Your season is so short and it will be so long until we meet again.

You used to come back for a final farewell but some genius in the NFL made the a$$hole decision to hold the damn Probowl BEFORE the $uperbowl...but that's a different bitch session altogether.