Why do I watch Football?

After the Colts defeat today I began to question why I spend so much time watching something that leaves me so hurt and disappointed. I wish that I wasn't such a wimp … I wish I could say that I didn’t cry over Peyton's loss today, but I did. But really why do I care? The 2004-2005 College and NFL football seasons have been by far the most disappointing ones I have ever witnessed. On some (most) Saturdays this Fall I was physically and emotionally drained after watching Football games. I just give it so much emotion... why do I pour so much of myself into something that has no rewards for me what so ever. Let's say my team does win... I am Happy... satisfied ... until next week when they get the crap kicked out of them. And how does the win or loss of a team really effect me, I mean I am not getting paid… I don’t have anything riding on the game not money, not a career… so why do I care? I am seriously thinking about giving up this sport, that I dearly love, altogether.
Think about this …if I only spend 10 hours a week watching football (which is really unrealistic because that is only three games not counting Gameday and Sportscenter) and there are roughly 24 weeks of football that is aprox. 240 hours of football a season and 10 days of my life a year wasted on the stupid sport. If I did that for the next 36 years that would mean I spent a whole year of my life watching football and nothing else.
In football's defense (no pun intended) it has been a great time for fun and fellowship in my life. Especially with my family, at times a victory or just "football talk" over dinner has brought us closer together, and that is very important to me. I will always cherish the time spent with my family watching football; I probably wouldn’t have seen my grandparents this fall if it weren’t for football. But Gosh... It is so emotionally draining for me...I was so nervous watching today's game that I began to feel sick. I don’t think it is quite natural to be so passionate about something like that, but I get it honest.
It hurts when your team disappoints you or lets you down at a crucial moment… But oh… the feeling... when your team gets the interception and runs it back for 6, or the field goal to win in the last seconds of the game, when the defense really turns it on and the games goes into triple or quadruple OT, when your quarterback throws an incredible pass under pressure and your wide receiver makes the completion with one hand and drags both feet in the endzone when the rest of his body even the ball is out of bounds. Ha, what was I thinking I couldn’t give that up if I tried… how could I abandon the sport that has given me so much joy (and pain) over the years. : )
I don’t understand my love for it, but I feel it… maybe this is a phase and one day I will grow out of it but as for now I will wait til next season when my teams have another chance. And as for this season I will pick the biggest underdog to win, because all the teams I care about are out. : (