by Maureen Totterer

Created on: July 21, 2007   Last Updated: November 25, 2011

Yes! Yes! Yes!

"Learn" is the operative word. Men don't learn football. It's already programmed into their genetic make-up. Women must work hard to understand a game that overflows with testosterone.

"Love" is the other operative word. I am living fossilized proof that women can learn to love football. True, it's not as easy to "get" as baseball but hang in there and don't give up.

In the beginning football resembles complete chaos repeated over and over again. But keep watching games. After a while you will begin to notice a method emerging from the madness, an orderly pattern begins to show itself in spite of bodies flying in all directions. Downs will begin to resemble brilliant strategic military maneuvers.

Don't kid yourself. There is a war going on. Just ask my husband. "Every down is a fight to the death." Well, almost. First and foremost you must seek out a knowledgeable male full of patience to explain the game. Know that it will take more than ten minutes to understand the wonderful beauty and complexity of American football. Ladies, it's better than a soap opera.

From the opening kick-off to the final seconds of the fourth quarter your head will be reeling with all the plots and sub-plots going on simultaneously.

- "Will the coach take out his star quarterback causing shame and humiliation to the team and city?"

- "What will they ever do on 4th and 1?"

- "Who will win the coin toss if we are forced into sudden-death overtime?"

- "Will our star wide-receiver recuperate from the nightclub brawl soon enough to play in the Super Bowl?"

Next, change is the name of the game. It's useless to believe your husband or boyfriend will grow out of football. Instead of dreading the football season celebrate and embrace it. Get excited. Invite other couples over to your house. Cook up a storm. Bond with your husband or boyfriend in a significant way. Sit next to him and ask questions but not until the whistle blows or until half-time. Feel free to ask questions during commercials. Otherwise you might ruin the whole day. Remember, football is all about timing.

Finally one day when you least expect it everything will come together. You will finally realize why it's so important for women to learn to love football.

It's almost noon on football Sunday. The half-time feast is cooking in the oven filling your house with the savory fragrance of roast beef. You snuggle up with your husband on the big couch in front of the big-screen TV knowing it doesn't get much better than this. Your football acumen has become as one with your husband although a few questions are sprinkled here and there to break the silence. You both embrace in euphoria as the final seconds tick off sending your team to the Super Bowl, no longer a football widow.

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