By: Mike Murphy, Manager of Alumni Services
Ahh…. September. The most glorious time of the year. Summer is over, the seasons are changing, and some pumpkin coffee is out again. But forget all of that. FOOTBALL IS BACK! And while I do consider myself a fan of all sports, football is different. How, you ask? Football is the only sport I know that I can honestly say I care about at the Collegiate level just as much, if not more, than the Pro level. And while I have been a fan for pretty much my entire life, the past couple of seasons have been pretty special.
If you’re like me, and most football fans, you know that booze and football go hand in hand. Hell, you can’t even watch a quarter of one game without at least 5 commercials advertising it. Watching football and getting drunk is pretty much the social norm for most men ages 18 forever. And I definitely fell into that category. Football season was just another excuse to get absolutely hammered. Using that as an excuse for my behavior on Monday mornings. Or Sunday Mornings. Or Friday. You get the point. To think…That I would honestly blame getting blacked out and acting like an idiot because of the Packers dismal offensive line or the Gators’ inability to keep a head coach for more than 2 seasons. (Yes, I am a Packers/Gators fan. I know it doesn’t make sense but go with it.) The sheer lunacy it must take to blame your problem on a millionaire(s) that you are probably never going to meet.
But is it that far-fetched? By this point we had already found a multitude of ways to blame other places, people, and things on our alcoholism/addiction/mental health. We are some of the most master manipulators you will find on this planet. If only there were a profession for that. Just kidding. I can’t afford Law School and I don’t have the GI Bill, anymore. And not surprisingly, football season was also the time of year that my bank account was pretty empty, if not overdrawn. And the Sunday Scaries? Oh, man! The booze fueled anxiety I felt pretty much Monday morning was ludicrous. Just thinking about it now gives me anxiety. How could anyone possibly want to do this to themselves??! If only the Packers would draft/trade better, am I right? Oh, and let’s not forget the Monday Mornings where I couldn’t even remember the score from the game the night before. Let’s think about that. Not only did I spend an absurd amount of money “watching” these games at bars, but it was also common for me to not even remember them. That is an absolute waste of life. And thew worst part? Having crippling anxiety from something you don’t even remember. Yet, somehow….I couldn’t wait for football season every year.
When you are new into recovery, you’re are told that some things about your life are going to need to change. From places you go to, the people you associate yourself with and any other potential triggers. And I think some of you would be surprised at the number of people I speak to that tell me football season is a major concern of theirs. That they’re not sure they will be able to make it through the season without relapsing. Again, this is a sport made up of people you and I will probably never meet. This might as well be a TV Show or Movie and the players are our favorite actors/actresses. How can this be so difficult? And while it sounds ridiculous, it can be extremely difficult. As an adult, to completely change how you watch or are involved in something is easier said than done. Especially when you overdo it when things are good and bad. Win? Shots. Lose? Shots.
My first sober football season ever was spent living in my halfway in Broward County, Fellowship. And like most people, I was curious how I would handle the season. And to be honest, I wasn’t so worried about the drinking, necessarily. It was the FOMO. Fear Of Missing Out. Like, how am I supposed to celebrate sober? How am I supposed to talk smack sober? Well, as it turns out, it’s a lot easier than most of us think. And it also involves something else we are taught early on. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Believe it or not, there are a ton of options for people in recovery. I would watch games at my halfway house with others, or with some people from my home group. And something else I have noticed since my first sober season, there is no shortage of some rooms that will broadcast games. And the ones I have gone to? SO much fun. But I think the biggest surprise for me was that I am now able to sit in my living room and watch games by myself and enjoy them just as much. I don’t need to be at a bar or party to watch this. Why not enjoy it from the comfort of my own home? I control the A/C, I have snacks there, and I can yell whatever I want at the TV free of judgement from others. All of this minus the anxiety and gut punch to my checking account.
Sobriety has given me a multitude of things. Both big and small. And as ridiculous as it may sound, it has given me the opportunity to actually enjoy watching football, again. And let me tell you something, being a Packer fan in season one of no Aaron Rodgers? That’s saying something. As for my Gators? Well, it’s been a little while since I thought we had a shot at anything. So, I just cruise with it at this point. Nonetheless, I hope if you get anything out of this, it’s that much like everything else around us, this small thing doesn’t have to be the reason for our demise. Enjoy it. ACTUALLY, enjoy it. And if you absolutely must overdo it in some way, please remember that football season is also the elite time of year for food. From dips to casseroles to the almighty chicken wing. I wish you all the best of luck this season! GO PACK GO and Go Gators!
P.S. If you eat your chicken wings with Ranch……grow up.
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