The NFL is typically considered a man’s world. Scantily clad cheerleaders shakin’ their moneymakers on the sidelines of most stadiums (Of course, you won’t find them at Heinz field, one of many reasons I’m proud to be a Yinzer – but that’s another article). Advertisements for tough, rugged trucks, beer commercials focusing on “man laws”. If you don’t have hair on your chest, you don’t quite belong on Sundays from September through January. Or at least that’s the misconception some people still have.
It’s an easy misconception to make. The players are all men, coached by men, officiated by men, with the exception of the one female replacement ref, and well, we’re not going to get into how well that worked out.
Gentleman, its time to face the facts – football is no longer exclusive to the He Man Woman Hater’s Club of America.
Take a walk on the North Shore on game day and what do you see? Next to almost every black and gold clad fella you’ll see his counterpart of the fairer sex, just as enthusiastically waving a Terrible Towel, drinkin an I.C. Light, screaming in disbelief that the ref missed yet another hold on Harrison. And it’s not exclusive to Pittsburgh. In 2010, the NFL launched a $10 million marketing campaign directed at the ladies, who they estimated made up 44% of their fan base. It’d be a safe bet to make that that number has increased since then.
So if the big wigs in the NFL office have acknowledged it, why, then, in early September, do my male sports-writing counterparts still write things like ‘Sorry girls, say goodbye to your man ‘till February, it’s football season!’ (Yeah, I’m lookin at you Michael Waterloo!)? I can only speculate, but I have a few theories.
A few bad apples ruin the bunch. There’s something I need all women to stop doing. Please, please, I beg of you – Stop wearing pink jerseys. The month of October is the one exception I will give you, but on November 1 please cease and desist. No professional sports team, NFL or otherwise, is pink. Ladies, it’s important to establish credibility early. I know your two-year old looks adorable in the sparkly pink t-shirt, but if she is taught that is acceptable game day attire now, you may be starting her down a dark, unforgiving path from which there is no return. No man is going to take your opinion on who has a better secondary while in a powder pink jersey. I’m a woman, and I won’t take you seriously.
The other theory is simple – men are intimidated. For centuries, men were the main breadwinners, while women stayed home barefoot and pregnant. Clearly, this is no longer the case, and year after year, fewer and fewer traits and activities have retained any gender exclusivity. They don’t want to admit that not only does their girlfriend make as much money as they do, but she might also be able to manage a fantasy football team just as well.
Guys, if you’re one of the lucky ones who has a lady by their side who believes that Sunday’s were made for football, be proud. Nurture her obsession, teach her the things she doesn’t know. When she gets into an argument with your boys at the bar over whether going for it on 4th and 1 was a good call or not, stand back, smile, and buy that girl another beer. She’s a keeper.
