Enjoy the Football Season Better than a Billionaire on Five Dollars Extra a Day

Good morning, Fantastic Football Fans!

Are you feeling motivated this morning? I certainly hope so. I know that I am!

Are you focused on football now that the NFL preseason has begun? I know that I am.

I usually follow every season in the same way. I root for my favorite NFL team, the New England Patriots, visit their Web site daily and review stories in the press and on television and radio. Mostly, I focus on the stars. I suspect that many fans do something similar.

But if you really adore football, that approach just scratches the surface.

Let me suggest some ways that you can go deeper in your enjoyment of the game.

First, pick some other players to follow. I like to watch rookies who show promise in training camp such as Bam Childress of the Patriots and veterans who bring unusual intensity to the game, like special teams player Larry Izzo of the Patriots.

Second, arrange to meet and chat with these non-star players. They are easier to meet and will spend more time with you than an established star. I remember greeting Paul Pierce and shaking his hand when he was a raw rookie for the Boston Celtics. That brief meeting has added to my pleasure in watching him play as the team's star since then.

Third, hire a retired player to speak to your organization or company. People you've enjoyed watching in the past are often happy to take on such assignments. They aren't all that busy so you'll have an extended time to talk football with them and find out their views on your favorite team.

Fourth, organize a charity event that will benefit from having players present during the bye week in the NFL season. By contacting the team, they will help you find volunteers to speak and sign autographs. You will do good and do well for yourself.

Fifth, take in a game. Many NFL teams have sites where you can buy tickets that season ticket holders want to sell at face value. Other teams offer a few standing room only seats during the season. If it's an exciting game, you'll be standing most of the time anyway. So why not save some money?

Sixth, if you can afford it, take in a road game as well. The atmosphere in each NFL stadium is different, and you'll find yourself enjoying the contrasts in experience.

Seventh, tailgate a game and watch from the stadium parking lot (in good weather) or a stadium-area bar (in bad weather). You'll find yourself with some very loyal, friendly fans which will make for a fun outing.

Eighth, follow some players on other teams. Fantasy football is a good excuse to do this and gives you a good reason to track more of what's going on in the league. ESPN can provide you with most of what you want to learn, and the Internet can do the rest.

Ninth, enter a contest to pick the game winners each week. I did that with the Patriots last year, and really enjoyed the experience. The contest offered the excitement of betting on the games without the expense or distraction.

Tenth, go to a good college game for a school you've never visited before. The excitement and rituals of college football will take you back to your youth.

Eleventh, attend your local high school's big game. Here in Massachusetts, these are always held on Thanksgiving morning and it makes for a relaxing way to start the day while the turkey bakes.

Twelfth, watch practices for a team of youngsters. If you know football, offer to assist in the coaching. It's a lot of fun to watch boys emulate their favorite players as they struggle with all of the gear and things to remember.

Thirteenth, plan a winter vacation to Hawaii to watch the Pro Bowl. This is the ultimate in laid-back enjoyment as you lounge in shorts while working on your tan in Aloha Stadium outside of Honolulu.

Fourteenth, if you've never been to a Super Bowl, make 2006 your year. See my earlier blog entries for ideas to do this while spending little.

As always, please comment below to add your ideas for other great ways to enjoy the football season. I'm sure I've missed a number of good ones.

In the meantime, stand for the kickoff!

Please feel free to let me know what else you would like to learn, and I'll do my best to help in future blog entries.

Thanks so much for your support of this blog. I'm delighted that so many tens of thousands of people have made this blog part of their regular reading habit!

If you like this blog, please let others know who might also enjoy it.

Thank you to my many friends, students, clients and blog readers who are spreading the good word about this blog.

If you are visiting today because someone invited you, I'm delighted to meet you! Let's stay in touch.

May God bless you.

Donald W. Mitchell, Your Dream Concierge

Copyright 2005 Donald W. Mitchell