“F” is for Football and Friends!

These past several years, I’ll admit, I haven’t been watching a whole lot of football. When you’re living in Washington Redskins’ and Baltimore Ravens’ territory, but you’re a San Francisco 49er fan, and your team is struggling, there’s not much joy to be had. True, one of my good friends from the Bay Area who has since relocated to Baltimore goes to Ravens’ games in full 49ers gear, so maybe it’s just that I’m not hard core enough. *shrug*

This past season, however, I’m back in the game. The 49ers are still struggling, and I’m still in Redskins’ and Ravens’ territory. What’s different, however, is that “F” is for Football, AND for Friends—and I’ve had friends come into my life whose passion for football has rekindled my own.

Growing up having watched Joe Montana, Dwight Clark, Roger Craig, Jerry Rice, and so many other great players, it was easy to become a football fan. What really cultivated my fondness for the game weren’t the players, though, or even their Superbowl win, or their Repeat Superbowl Championship (though any ONE of these things would be sufficient, let alone the three combined!). I fell in love with the game because when I was growing up football season meant time with mom and dad. After church, followed by lunch at McDonalds, we’d get home and then curl up in their king-sized bed to watch football. Football was family time.

It’s been years since I watched football with my parents, and decades since they’ve had a king-sized bed. And, though not without regrets, it’s even been years since I’ve last seen my parents. But, as with many other queers, “family” includes so much more than my blood and marriage relatives.

So, here’s to the friends and the community—to the family—that I’ve been able to share this season with! Cheers y’all!!!