Football

        I am careful these days to mention that my kids play Soccer to my American friends and properly say that they play Football when I talk to my Indian relatives. If that wasn't confusing enough, here is another: Indian Football in not American Football. Indian Football is American Soccer. Phew!

          But my confusion lingers even after all these years after I moved to the US, because, in what we call football in India(or Europe), we actually use our feet to kick the ball around. If it touches the hand, it is called a hand ball and the play is stopped for further review or a penalty kick.  But here in the United States, in the game of Football,the football is thrown by the quarterback(using his hand), caught by a running back or a wide receiver(using his hands) and  is carried in the crook of his elbows(!) as he runs to make a Touchdown.  As this happens the defense is trying to push away the offense, using their strong hands. In case of an interception, the ball is caught by a player of the opposite team using his very hands. The punting and the field goals, as far as I know, are the only times when the kickers use their feet!!!

So why the name Football?  I ask.

          While this question still remains unanswered , I do find a few other things in Football intriguing, to say the least. I find the fact that the Quarterbacks get instructions thru' out their play, very fascinating. What is competitive about being coached as you play?  Any other sport has the coaches in the sidelines jumping up and down while Football QBs enjoy the luxury of advice, it seems, as they play.

          Next, is the amount a team is willing to pay a QB when the country in swarming in an economic crisis......... A number beyond my comprehension. A number beyond logic and reason. How come they don't ever take a pay cut? Why are football game tickets so expensive?  Why are cheerleaders such a huge part of a Football team? Why is the food sold at  the concession stand so expensive? Why do people love Football so much, they rush home soon after church to watch it? What does Football do that has this country wrapped around its little finger?

Hmmmmm.  Could this tinge of bitterness be out of resentment now that I am forced to settle for a small TV while my husband has encroached the 40" TV to watch his favorite Football team get crushed? Or could it be that my family that has strict TV times and strict bed times, has all the rules broken on a day that Football is aired? or could it be the fact, since Tebow is not tebowing in my home state anymore, or anywhere for that matter, my newfound interest in football suddenly waned?

          So as I grumble about my husband's distraction and mutter my way to bed, I hear an occasional YES and then many "oh no"s and several hours later a dejected hubby climbs into bed explaining how things could have been different and what they should have done. It has recently just dawned on me, I am that American wife that complains about her football addicted husband.

          After all the whining, I am proud to declare that my family and I  are now ardent Seahawks fans these days. Even after that heart wrenching interception Super bowl loss that very last second! What if it's a 1-2 start this year....... There is still hope! If deflategate can disappear into thin air, and Brady's suspension can be overturned, I guess anything can happen! Go Hawks!

          We can handle American Football and FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.  As far we are concerned, Messi, Brady, Neymar, Wilson, Suarez and Rodgers all play Football. Now to work on getting them all in one fantasy team!!!