...I am a genetically mapped New York Giant football fan which pretty much makes me just like millions of other dna doomed dummies who for some unexplainable reason innately pledge their allegiance to a set of colors, numbers and helmet symbols for eternity. Like canadian geese, we partner with a team for life, through thick and thin, good times and bad, seasons ending in playoffs and seasons ending with top five choices. It is the football gene and if you have it, you understand. Alas, if only marriage could work the same.

The fact is it isnt like marriage. It is not that we are in love with our teams and our teams in love with us. If that were true, it would be like a relationship, requiring everyones needs to be met, resulting in fans dropping the souring attraction of one team for the empty promises of another. Nope, love is not involved. Its a pathetic, sad, lonely one way street that is determined at birth. You are what you are: a Steeler, a charger, a Seahawk, a Bengal, a Buccaneer. Some of us taste sweet victories frequently, while others wallow in self pity perpetually. It is no different from some people being tall and some people being short. It is my hope that someday stem cell research will produce a treatment to help some of my suffering brothers; for example, change a cardinal fan into a Cowboy fan, giving them some hope of enjoying a winning season before they die.

It is our game. We dont particularly delight in watching our teams flounder amidst a room full of fence sitters, people without the gene. Youre either with us or against us. And when it is late October and all we can think about is replacing coaches, players and team ownership, our shoulders slump as we prepare to endure the inescapable long November and December weekends in silent lonesome agony.

It is a terrible, terrible existence; worse than that experienced by other sport fans because there is so much time for so few games. This imbalance gives the true football fan plenty of time to trick ones mind to think with a few breaks here and a few calls there that a 1-7 start can miraculously turn into a 9-7 wild card berth, only to be soundly crushed eventu...more

Super Bowl Tailgate Parties

...clean up. Make a check off list so you don't forget important items like paper plates, napkins, plastic forks, and spoons and of course the paper towels. Trash bags will surely be appreciated when it's clean up time and of course remember to bring plenty of water.

A good tailgater dresses the part so don't be caught without your team colors. You can also bring a couple extra team jerseys or sweatshirts for your friends can dress their part. A good rule to follow in tailgating is arriving 3 to 4 hours before the game so you can get a good spot and set up. Serve the main menu item an hour and a half before the game so everyone can relax and enjoy their food. Plan to leave at least an hour or two after the game so you have hang out time to discuss the game and also clean up time. Be respectful and leave the area as you found it if not cleaner.

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League Two Betting Review - 13 February 2006

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Rushden & Diamonds refuse to go down without a fight and Petr Miklondas 30 yard strike gave them all three points against Notts County. Barry Hunters side, 8/5 on the day, have lost just one of their last five games.

Bottom club Stockport County also earned a vital win at faltering Chester City. Liam Dickinson broke the deadlock for County after 76 minutes but Ryan Lowe equalised for City five minutes later. With the...more

League Two Betting Review - 29 January 2006

... edged them into a play off place.

Second placed Carlisle United wasted an opportunity to go top of the league on Sunday, slumping to a 3-0 defeat at Macclesfield. Two goals in the opening 10 minutes helped seal a 9/5 victory for the Silkmen.

Northampton were one side that made up ground on the top three with a 2-0 win at Bury. An own goal from Andy Parrish and Andy Kirks ninth goal of the season wrapped the match up for the 6/5 Cobbler...more

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