Sunday, February 7, 2010

Sunday Salon - February 7

It's no secret by now that I love football--at any level. But I was reminded once again, when I did a search for football books, that "football" is not universally the same thing. When I pulled up the first page of results, I was surprised not to recognize a single title. Then I realized my mistake--for most of the world "football" is what we, in the U.S., call soccer. I guess I should clarify, when I say that I love football, what I really mean is that I love the game where almost none of the game is played using the feet. Something else I guess I knew but was reminded of when I did my search is that you can read a book about almost any aspect of football from almost any angle. There are books by coaches and players; books that are instructional and books that are statistical; books about specific games; and books written about football at any level: Pop Warner, high school, college and professional. The Blind Side is only the most recent football book to be made into a movie. Others made into movies, that also make good reads, are Paper Lion: Confessions of A Last String Quarterback, Friday Night Lights, and Semi Tough.









Needless to say, then, that I'll be in front of my television tonight as the Indianapolis Colts take on the underdog, but undefeated, New Orleans Saints. I'll be cheering for the Saints--I'm a big fan of underdogs especially when the underdog hasn't ever been to the Super Bowl before. And when it's all over, I'll slip into a bit of a funk--I don't quite know what to do with myself when that last game is played. There's always Australian rules football to look forward to, I guess.

14 comments:

  1. I have The Blind Side sitting on my TBR pile (loved the movie!) and I love Friday Night Lights as well. Enjoy the superbowl!

    I have an award for you at my blog: http://bookwormcouchpotato.blogspot.com/2010/02/spreading-award-love.html

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  2. What's really weird is that I am not that attached to watching football, but I love football books! Not sure why. Anyway, Mark Bowden has a couple of them if you haven't seen them - I've read "Bringing the Heat" which I thought was great, and then he has another one I have not read called The Best Game Ever: Giants vs. Colts, 1958 and The Birth of the Modern NFL.

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  3. I ,too, will be watching only because I want to drink beer and eat nachos. Watching football seems like a good thing to go with it!

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  4. I'm not a big football fan, but I am a big fan of the underdogs. I probably won't be watching this year unless it's for the commercials. They are always fun. Have a great time tonight!

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  5. "Go the Cats" Huh?

    It gets more confusing here in Oz.

    In the South and West of the country Aussie Rules is "Football" or as we say "Footy".
    In NSW and QLD Rugby League (or occasionally Rugby Union) are "Footy".
    Then those of Pommy (English) extraction call Soccer "football". So in Oz you have to know who you are talking to to understand what Football means.
    I feel a post coming on.

    Al

    Publish or Perish

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  6. oh, dear Lisa, you know that curling will start very soon and you will be totally hooked in front of your television. Football will be just a dim thought in your distant memory.
    Mom

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  7. It's true! I do have the Olympics to look forward to and I am strangely intrigued by curling!

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  8. I'm not a football fan in the slightest (in any country's version), but I understand the sense of 'the balloon has been popped' when something you've looked forward to for a long while is suddenly 'over.'

    Have fun tonight!!

    Corra

    from the desk of a writer

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  9. We're a football family and will be in serious depression until football starts back up for our son in the fall!!!

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  10. It's weird Lisa...everyone I've asked who they want to win the super bowl has responded "Saints"...us too!. It's (1) point apart right now...

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  11. Love the curling comment! GREAT idea! oh yes, the Olympics - in the warmest host city on record (I'm watching the weather channel as I type this)
    We ALWAYS host a SuperBowl party - we make soup from the areas the teams represent and when the Gumbo was incredible - I knew the Saints would win. The Indiana Corn Chowder was only just OK. But hosting means that I don't get to watch the game as close as I would like and we never have enough comfy chairs. Just sayin'.
    I do have a football book that I need to read but I can't for the life of me remember the title and too lazy to go upstairs to look.

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  12. I am not a football fan at all, but I was dragged along to a Superbowl party last night, so I watched by default. I am so glad the Saints won--I love New Orleans!

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  13. Hi there!

    I have an award for you at my blog - please stop by!

    http://booksnyc.blogspot.com/2010/02/milestone-awards-and-giveaway.html

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  14. I'm not a huge football fan but if it's a good game, meaning close, then I get pullled in. This year, the game was great but all the other stuff was so boring. The pre-show where Queen Latifah screeched and Carrie Underwood strained.. the half time show was good but not "WOW!" and the commercials? Zzzzz.

    I was rooting for the Saints so I'm glad they won!

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