The Super Bowl is over. Football is over. This is the grim reality that many people are looking at these days. Life seems so empty, so utterly disappointing, that it almost doesn’t seem like it is worth continuing. I know these feelings and over time have done my best to cope with them.
To those suffering from annual post-football depression, I want to let you know that there is hope, that there is a light at the end of that dark, dark tunnel, and most importantly, you are not alone. We can get through this if we just put aside our insecurities and our fears, open up to each other, and fight for a happier tomorrow.
As skeptical as you may feel right now that you can find happiness now that football is over, I want to assure you that all is not lost. But, you are the only one who can help yourself. If you aren’t willing to fight to get better, than you have already lost the battle. For those who want to feel happy again, here is what you need to do: immerse yourself in any and all other sports. Get your mind off of football by becoming attached to some other sport. Don’t think you can do that? Like always, I’m here to help. The world doesn’t revolve around football. That football-centric attitude is what got you into trouble in the first place. Every major sport has something big occurring before the start of next season’s training camp. Learn to appreciate what these other sports have to offer and then you will be on your way to a much happier off-season. Here are some options:
NASCAR
I can’t say that I’m a huge fan of cars driving in circles, but it seems like a lot of people in this country are. Popularity aside, the biggest race in NASCAR is their first race, the Daytona 500. I’d recommend checking that out for at least fifteen minutes, if only in hopes of seeing a horrific multi-car crash. If NASCAR isn’t your thing, but you still feel the need to see cars drive in circles, don’t for get about the Indy 500, still a huge draw after all these years.
BASKETBALL
If you are like me, you can’t stand professional basketball. It is boring, there is no passion, and it revolves around throwing the ball to ogres like Shaq. Awesome. For a true basketball enthusiast, the end of February and March are the months to use those sick days to get out of work. Conference tournament week and March Madness are excellent events to get your mind off of football. There is something about college basketball that just gets people fired up. Whether it be the small school from the Midwest that no one has heard of taking down a top ranked program or the fact that on consecutive weekends there is no fewer than eight hours of hoops each day, there is just something about the NCAA Tourney that causes audible expressions of joy and/or anguish. Add into that the most enjoyable betting experience of the year, the Tourney Pool, and you’ve got yourself a pretty nice fix for your football hangover.
HOCKEY
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the NHL playoffs are without question the best playoffs to watch. Maybe it is because the intensity is turned up to such a level that sometimes it seems like players are going to spontaneously combust or just that they are competing for the best trophy in sports, the Stanley Cup. Whatever the reason, the hockey playoffs are not to be missed. Also, hockey has the best All-Star game. The players know that the object of the game is to have fun and that is what they go out and do. Throw in the skills competition and hockey suddenly seems to be something that looks pretty appealing.
BASEBALL
More than half of the baseball season is over when football starts up again. Think of all the good times that can be had during that time. Seeing the pennant races shape up, discovering new and exciting players from your favorite team, noticing what players are considerably smaller now that MLB actually has implemented steroid restrictions. While baseball might not be America’s pastime anymore, it still has plenty to offer the sports fan.
GOLF
Okay, I realize that I’m one of the few people on the planet who actually enjoys watching golf on television. If you are looking for something to do on the first weekend of April, check out the Masters. It is the best tournament of the year and it is always a good time to plop down in front of your TV on that final Sunday, cold beer in hand, and watch some emotional and exciting golf.
MISCELLANEOUS
There are many other sporting events that I haven’t mentioned that can get your fired up and forget about football. If you enjoy the other football, the Champions League will resume shortly and will be laden with drama, as always. Also, don’t forget about a little thing called the Olympics happening this summer. There is nothing like supporting your country in events like rhythmic gymnastics and sprint cycling to alleviate the pain of remembering how your team was eliminated from the playoffs.
Give something you haven’t even watched before a chance, you never know what can happen. By going into this off-season with an open mind, you too can overcome your post-football depression. If you try this and still find yourself in emotional mire, the NFL draft can be a nice dose of football at just the right time.
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