Surviving the Offseason

The Super Bowl in early February signals the true end of American football season. Unless you’re a fan of either the Eagles or Patriots, the season already ended anywhere from two weeks to a month before the opening kickoff of the biggest game of the year. If you’re into college football, then the season ended January 8, when Alabama came back to defeat Georgia in overtime. These are dark times for football fans. There’s simply no sports experience quite like getting up on a fall weekend and taking in the games from the comfort of your couch, or, if you can afford it, from a seat in the home team’s stadium. There are a couple of strategies you can take while you try to make it to August, when football becomes a reality again.

See your friends and family

There’s a decent chance some of your loved ones share the same passion for the sport that you do, but that doesn’t mean you all like the same team. Your fantasy football league probably has great parties in the autumn, but it’s not autumn anymore, and it would be nice to see those pals before you come together in the late summer and fill out your fantasy football draft boards. But first there are the family members who have sat by patiently as you yelled at the TV for the last few months. So here’s what you do: spend quality time with the non-football fans in your life first. If you have a significant other, take them out to a nice dinner. At this dinner, do not mention Aaron Rodgers’ injury, the Giants’ new coach, or anything else that has to do with college or pro football. Your significant other loves you and wants to see you happy, and that’s why he or she doesn’t interfere with your love of the sport. It’s time to return the favor by shutting about it for at least one night. If your partner brings it up, that’s one thing, but the focus should be on each other, not sports. At some point, it’s also not a bad idea to thank him or her for never getting frustrated and trying to hide your favorite jersey after another early playoff exit. If you’re a fan of the Browns, then you should thank them twice. Once you’ve spent quality time with your significant other, you can worry about going out with your pals

Stock up on merchandise

Once spring has arrived and you’re no longer feeling the sting of how the season ended, then you can start looking for deals on your favorite team apparel and merchandise. Fewer people buy team memorabilia in the offseason, so you’ve got a better chance of finding some good deals. If possible, focus on locally-owned team stores rather than the big brand names. A store like Tiger People in Baton Rouge can offer a more personalized experience because they’re fans like you. It’s always better to buy from your fellow fans whenever you can. For some people, “Geaux Tigers” and “Gig ‘em” are just words. But if you’re a fan of the LSU Tigers or the Texas A&M Aggies, those slogans represent a way of life.

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