Chapter 1: Intro : Why ?

Chapter 1 : Introduction : Why ?

        A few years ago, I was at a local store, waiting in the checkout line, on Super Bowl Sunday.  I was probably picking up some last-minute snacks for the game.  Behind me in the line was a young lady, who was quite noticeably excited about something.  I asked her if she was going to watch the Super Bowl, to which she enthusiastically replied, “Yes!”  Her answer to my next question would provide the basis for this book.

        I asked her, “Which quarterback do you like best?”   She paused, then asked me, “Umm-- what’s a quarterback?” and then apologized or offered an excuse for not knowing.

        This portrays an error that we oftentimes make when dealing with others: we assume people’s knowledge or familiarity of something that we ourselves accept and take for granted.  This girl was obviously excited about spending the afternoon with her friends, watching a football game, but having no earthly idea of what it was really all about.

        Over the last few years, I have begun to notice attempts on the part of various people and organizations to increase awareness of this sport.  Collegiate and professional sports teams have sponsored seminars and webinars for novices to learn more about football.  Authors and publishers have also seen the need and responded with basic books.

   Unfortunately, some of these attempts at educating have tried to be so complete in their explanations that it has instead driven the otherwise sincere student farther away from understanding the game.

        I no longer take for granted that others have the same knowledge or familiarity that many of us do about something so popular as football.  Neither do I take for granted that everyone will automatically wish to learn more.  Some may desire to just stay in the background, and remain clueless or ignorant of the details of this game.  However, for those that do wish to increase their awareness, this book will attempt to answer some basic questions about the game and help those that live with “sports nuts” to blend in, rather than stick out, and maybe actually enjoy the experience more.

© 2014 Bob Wingate