For years, my mom and mother-in-law have banned my husband and I from watching sports at their homes. When I was in high school, my mother repeatedly told me that every time I yelled her blood pressure went sky high. My mother-in-law, often talks about my husband's loud chant for more defense and that led to her buying him his own television. In 2004, my husband, mother-in-law, and I were lucky to go to summer Olympics in Athens. We bought tickets to several events and when she agreed to go the U.S Men's basketball game against Puerto Rico, I was shocked. Did she forgot who she was about to see a game with? Needless to say, after the game, she said she would never attend or watch another game with us again. So, in an effort to help all the non-crazy sports fans, I decided to give them 5 important tips to make it through a game.
Number 1: Create a clear path away from the viewing area.
This tip can save a trip to the nearest Emergency Room. Sports fans are very passionate and often jump, run, bang, and shadow box after great or awful plays. Sure, yelling (tip 2) is the primary outlet but if you live in an apartment, the physical reaction to a play can land your sports fan in the hospital. Gasp! They are missing the game because you forgot to keep the viewing area clutter free. To avoid this scenario, it is critical to remove any coffee tables, chairs, magazine racks, plants, shoes, children's toys, food trays, and any other item that may cause a fall.
Number 2: Ensure you have the right menu options.
After securing a safe viewing environment, the next essential tip is to have plenty of food, beverages (beer, water, and soda. No wine and juice! Please save that for another occasion. If you got the goods, then you are almost prepared for the game. The final menu option is throat lozenges. Yes, I know that seems odd but after all the screaming throughout a game, the sports fan will thank you later. If you don't have throat lozenges, honey is an acceptable substitution.
Number 3: Eliminate all non-essential commentaries and questions.
If you are a Chatty Kathy, this tip is especially critical for you to remember. From the moment the game begins, you are allowed to yell, high five, clap, curse, eat, and drink but the one think you can't do is ask questions. For example, if you are watching a game and the referee blows the whistle, don't immediately ask, "What happened?" because that will get you in trouble. This will annoy the fan because they won't be able to hear the play by play announcer confirm the ruling on the field. Don't worry about not initially knowing what's going on because once the fan knows, so will you.
Number 4: Avoid channel surfing.
Whatever you do, please don't make a move for the remote control. Always keep in mind that a break in action or halftime is not an invitation to change to the channel. Sports fans can be as suspicious as athletes, so if their team is winning nothing must change and that includes the channel. In the event that their team is losing, it is important to not that the same tip applies. Actually, it is worse to make a play for the remote because they can miss a great comeback play. Also, you don't want to give the fan a reason to take out their frustrations on you. The best move here is no move at all.
Number 5: Wear the right team jersey.
This is the easiest of all tips. As I mentioned in my first blog, Family, Sports, and Memories, wear a NY sports jersey. For example, If you are going to watch the NY Jets, do not wear a New England Patriots or Miami Dolphins jersey. If you don't have a Jets jersey, at least wear the team colors: green and white or throwback jersey colors: gold and navy blue. If watching a Yankees game, do yourself a favor and do not wear a Boston Red Sox jersey. If watching a Knicks game, well, frankly they don't have any rivalries like bad in the day with the Pacers and Heat but I am hoping for a return to playoff glory.
By the way, What tips would you add to this list?
P.S. Only tips 2, 3 and 5 apply when you are at an actual game.
