Football and Memories

Football season started tonight.

I'm not a huge footballfan, probably never will be. However, football will always represent something special in my life. It's one more tie, one more thing that reminds me of my father.

My dad loved football the way I love hockey: with an all-consuming passion. From week 1 until the Superbowl, nothing else was permitted on our TV on Sudnays. At least not when he was home (so my mother and I loved it when he went out to watch the game elsewhere).

Many of my memories of him are tied in with football. As a child, the Monday Night Football theme meant it was time for bed. Daddy let me listen to the song and that was it.

I remember Superbowl XXV when the Giants beat the Bills. Daddy let me stay up for the whole thing and he was so happy when his Giants won. I remember just enjoying getting to stay up and spend the time with him and though, I think I fell asleep at some point, he made sure I was up for the end becuase he knew I'd hate to miss it.

Later, we'd spend Sundays on the couch, with him trying to explain the rules of football to me. I understood, but couldn't care less, but he never stopped trying. Later, as I grew more interested (football is a sport, after all), we had a routine. He'd lay on the couch and I'd sit at his feet and we'd discuss the game.

American Thanksgiving was an unofficial holiday in our house. He never worked, I never had to go to school and my mom made a roast chicken for dinner. It was one of my favourite traditions.

There came a point when I could discuss football with him and I cared enough to cheer for specific teams and to ask what the standings were. I never cared enough to keep track, but I never had to. Daddy alwyas had it all in his head.

I loved to annoy him by cheering for the other team. He did the smae to me. We had many a battle, but alwyas friendly. We loved to egg the other on, knowing it was all done in fun.

When his team was in the superbowl, I cheered as feverently as he did and vice versa. Buit if it was regular season, then all bets were off and we liked to compete.

Tonight his Raiders are playing my Patriots in the Season opener. I can almost hear the conversation we would have, the goodnatured teasing. It makes me smile, it's a little bittersweet, but most memories are. I like thinking of things we shared, even if it hurts, just a little bit.

My fahter might me gone, but he left me with many wonderful memories of things we shared and the reminders of those times will always be special. But football, perhaps most of all.

Besides, wherever Daddy is now, I know he's watching the game and grumbling 'cause as of now the Raiders are losing. He's here with me, always. I know that, sometiems I just feel it stronger than others and tonight's one of those times.