Why Football Matters to Me

I love seeing a diverse group of people coming together for a common passion:

  • A grandpa who has sat in the same seat for 45 years

  • Parents introducing their children to their alma mater for the first time

  • College students dressed head-to-toe in team colors

On Saturday in the South your age, where you grew up, the size of your house, your political party…none of that matters. The only thing that matters is you are cheering for the same team. It matters that during kick-off, you and 80,000+ of your friends have come together for one common goal – to unite as the “12th man” and cheer your team to victory.

Honestly, some of my very favorite memories throughout my life have involved football. I grew up in Alabama where football often defines your weekend schedule in the fall and the rivalry between Alabama and Auburn is big!

As a little girl, I remember going to the University of Alabama games with my parents, where I learned the rules of the game and spent time dreaming of being a cheerleader. I remember playing family football in my grandmother’s front yard after our Thanksgiving meal. I remember my dad teaching me how to throw a perfect spiral, which is an impressive life skill to have in your back pocket!

As a high schooler, I was the captain of the cheerleading squad, cheering on my now-husband who played cornerback for our high school team (yes, we are THAT couple). I cheered on Daphne High School the night our team played in the State Championship. We lost, but wow, I still remember the comradery of that team like it was yesterday – the players, the cheerleaders, the band, the coaches, the fans. I remember powder puff games and Homecoming parades, pep rallies, and bus trips with the players to away games, celebrations, and heartbreaking losses. Football in high school is what taught me community – I am forever grateful for Friday night lights.

As a college student, I disappointed my dad when I decided to go to Auburn instead of Alabama (kidding… kind of). I remember counting down the week until game day, where our friends would often lose their voice before leaving the stadium. I remember learning my alma mater’s traditions – the battle cry, the eagle flying, rolling the tree after a big win. I remember mascots and cheering with friends, tailgating and fight songs, waiting for the updated rankings to post each Sunday afternoon.

As a mom, I couldn’t wait to share this passion with our kids. My husband, our 8-year-old daughter, our 6-year-old son, and I can often be found in our front yard – Gavin and I teaching the kids how to throw a spiral. Football is what brings us back to our alma mater, year after year, to cheer with our community and share traditions with our children. We enjoy friendly rivalries with the grandparents, having friends over to watch games and eat chili, and we even enjoyed a season watching our son play for a little league team. (Full disclosure – he wasn’t the biggest on the team and definitely not the best, but we watched him work hard each week at practice and give it his all at each of his Saturday morning games.) 

Although I have never played football (aside from the occasional Powder Puff game, of course), I am so thankful for the impact it has had on my life. It’s driven excitement, community, traditions, and so much more. Whether you are a fan of Pro or College, High School or Little League, UGA or GA Tech, Alabama or Auburn, Falcons or… (nope, we live in Atlanta so there are only the Falcons ?), get excited – because it’s officially football season in the South!

The National Football Foundation (NFF) launched Football Matters to celebrate the positive impact the game has made on millions of players, coaches, administrators, volunteers, and fans nationwide. It spotlights and explains the many benefits that football brings to communities, schools, families, and individuals and the opportunities it provides to those on and off the field and at every level. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram.

Atlanta Area Moms Blog is proud to partner with Football Matters for this sponsored post.
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Jessica
Jessica is an adventure-loving, over-committing, and previously organized mother of 2! She and her husband (high school sweethearts) moved to Atlanta in 2006 after graduating college, ready to start their life in the “real world”. They have experienced so many wonderful life milestones while in Atlanta – lived in Buckhead pre-kids, bought a house in great Smyrna neighborhood, had their first child in 2011 (a spunky little girl, Vivian), welcomed their second child exactly 18 months later in 2012 (a creative and crazy little boy, Harrison), and most recently added a Golden Doodle named Winston into the mix. Jessica and her family have since moved to the burbs of Milton where you now find them past 2 horse farms on the right. Jessica has always loved being part of a community, so when the opportunity to join the Atlanta Mom executive team presented itself it was a no brainer! She loved it so much, in fact, that in 2021 she and Natalie joined forces to lead the team and continue connecting with awesome moms across the ATL!