It's FOOTBALL time again....

That is all.

Saints in the Superbowl

The main topic of discussion around here lately is the New Orleans Saints. For the first time in franchise history they're going to the Superbowl. This is a huge deal for many different reasons. Most news stations claim the success of this season is aiding the continued effort to "rebuild" New Orleans post-Katrina. I'll admit the morale in the crescent city has improved greatly due to our beloved Saints.

I think it's hard for people who aren't sports fans (and most people outside the gulf coast region) to understand how a football team could have such a drastic effect on people. It's not really something that can be explained. For many it's just so nice to have something positive happen here after so many years of dealing with the lasting effects from Katrina, corrupt politicians and the high crime rates. There will still be hurricanes, liars in office and murders, but for just a few weeks we can forget about all of that and enjoy the high of knowing our team is great. It gives us something to cherish. We can all sit around and talk about the moment Hartley kicked the game-winning fieldgoal in overtime to send our boys to the Superbowl.

I went to Walmart the day after the championship game. The greeter at the door had a huge grin on her face. When I walked through the doors she said, "Who dat!" I smiled back and said, "Yes, ma'am!" I'd say over half the customers were donning Saints t-shirts and jerseys. Everyone just smiled at each other. The feeling in the air was strange. It was as if we were all friends, celebrating this wonderful news together. Our team, previously known as the Aints, had finally achieved the unbelievable.

After the best season since the beginning of the Saints, the WHO DATS are headed to Miami to face the Indianapolis Colts. Oddly enough, the Colts are my other favorite team. I've been a Manning fan since his UT days. On any other day I'd root for the Colts. Not against the Saints though. Although I'd be disappointed if our "team of destiny" lost in the Superbowl, it won't sting as badly if it's handed to us by Peyton and former LSU player Joseph Addai. Either way, it's gonna be a party in the MIA.

I'm having an emotional affair with college sports

Last night Gary and I were watching ESPN, eagerly cheering on our LSU Tigers in the College World Series. In the first game of the best-of-three finals, we knew the importance of a win. Securing the win of the first game would give our Tigers a little less pressure for the second game. However, LSU played in typical Tiger fashion: wait until the last possible millisecond to pull off a victory.

Somewhere during the 10th inning, I pulled my eyes away from the television to look at myself and Gary. There we were, two responsible adults, sitting on the edge of the sofa and leaning towards the TV in agonized frustration. I was SO into the game! I hung on every word from the commentators. Watched every pitch. Noted the expression on every Tiger's face whenever a close-up was provided. I realized that if our team could not pull off a win I would be upset, disappointed, maybe even a little depressed. I pushed these thoughts into the back of my mind and decided that I would analyze them AFTER the game.

Our Tigers somehow managed to get a single run and hold off three Longhorn batters to secure the win in the eleventh inning. We were ecstatic! We both jumped up, high-fived each other, and grinned like a couple of idiots (we could not yell victoriously because the babies were asleep). So the second game is tonight, and I find myself eagerly awaiting the chance to go through this torture again.

After thinking about this for most of the morning (it's been a slow day at work), I realized that I get this way not only when my Tigers are playing football and baseball, but any time I start watching a sporting event. I remember specific times - the 1996 U.S. Women's gymnastic phenomenon (Kerri Strug landing on one leg to win the gold), the Michael Phelps hoopla, the NY Giants - Indianapolis Colts superbowl, on and on the list goes. If I get into something, I pick my team/athlete, and I'm in it. I become superfan. It's as if I am a part of the team competing, and any loss will affect me greatly. Why is this? Why do I let myself get so emotionally involved?

My coworker friend - who is a Yankee - informed me that I am the way that I am because of where I grew up and currently live: the South. She went on to explain that people from the South are serious about three things - church, food and sports. I have to admit, she's partially right. They aren't the only things we're serious about, but they're right up there at the top of the list. I'm also not the only one in my family (or among my friends) who places sports as a top priority in life. Maybe I'm not entirely crazy. I do, however, think I may have a problem.

On the day of my very first date with Gary, LSU played Auburn (I'm talking football now). Sadly LSU lost the game. I was so upset about the loss that I considered canceling the date. Seriously! I felt like maybe the loss was a sign, and it would not be a good day to initiate a possible relationship. Luckily for us, I decided that the show must go on.

We schedule get-togethers, parties, outings, etc. around important games. It is necessary that wherever we will be, there must be access to a television or radio so that we do not miss a moment of said game. Granted, we don't get nearly as involved with any other sports so much as LSU football, but still....

Am I sick? Is it wrong that I invest so many of my emotions into these games; that I allow myself to feel dejected and wronged when my team loses; how I feel so elated when they win?

I don't know. I guess I never will. One thing I am sure of, though, is that come 6:00 tonight, I will be in front of the television, ready to cheer on my LSU Tigers!