OMG...WHAT A GAME!

I know some of you are sick of Alabama football.  I actually find myself longing for a team that goes 8 and 3 and has to come from behind to beat a team they aren't supposed to beat.  Toward the end of this season I decided to adopt Penn State as my "New Favorite Team" (NFT), but in retrospect they are probably too good to be my NFT.  I would and do root for Arizona State, and they are certainly mediocre enough but they play too late in that Pacific Time Zone to be my NFT.  Who can watch a game starting at 9:00 p.m?  Not this girl.

You see, I love an underdog. I love rooting for a team that is not supposed to win.  That is rarely Alabama in the Nick Saban era and it has been a difficult adjustment for me.  But, last night!  Last night, they were down big at halftime and it was looking like they might go down without much of a fight.  They felt like the underdogs!  Also, what I found is that my old favorite team, the Crimson Tide is in my blood.  I can't shake them without some kind of spiritual exorcism.  I can't help myself from getting 1,000% invested in every game they are playing.  It is ridiculous and I don't understand it.  Really, I don't.

Last night, it was low key...just me and Chip on the couch watching the game.  Within minutes of the kickoff I was hiding under blankets, watching the game through a tiny crease between my fingers.  By halftime, we were jogging circles in the kitchen, playing the fight song on our stomachs, rotating seats, rotating rooms...and eventually I just ended up exhausted standing in the front yard watching Chip through the window to follow the game.  So stupid.  But it was calm and cold out there and I couldn't hear the announcers.  It felt safe.

I made some videos of my time in the front yard and watching them this morning makes me think I need an intervention.  Please be a witness to this chaos.

Here are the thoughts running through my mind during the game.  Apparently, I have a ton of empathy for the mothers of these boys!

• Ugh, I feel terrible for Jalen.  He brought our team to the Championship game and to be pulled at halftime must hurt.  Or maybe not.  Maybe he is relieved. We love you Jalen!  You are a ROCKSTAR!  His poor momma's heart must be breaking for her baby!  
• Ugh, poor Tua!  A true freshman getting thrown into a championship game down by two touchdowns.  What?  His poor mother is probably having a heart attack.  Can he turn things around?  We love you Tua!  Just do your best! 
• What happened to that poor baby who passed out on the sidelines and was carted out on a stretcher?  Where is his mother?  Can she get to him?  Is she at the game?  Watching on TV?
• Ugh, our field goal kicker.  He is struggling something fierce.  All eyes in the stadium on him.  Oh, Lord. His mother?  Don't even get me started.  I would be shushing all those people in that stadium, yelling "He is just a kid!  It takes a whole team to win.  Leave him alone!"  I could not parent a field goal kicker.  Ever. 
• That Fromm kid for Georgia is a force to be reckoned with!  A true freshman and he is cool as a cucumber. He will be something to watch next year.  His momma must be so proud! 
• That pair of Georgia running backs!  Wow!  They are going to the NFL.  Surely they will be playing on Sundays next year.  Talent out the wazoo!  I know their mommas are smiling through tears. 
• I love Kirby Smart.  Nice guy.  Great coach.  These Bama kids that a few years ago he coached and taught how to play defense.  I know he is super proud of them even though he is wearing that Georgia hat on the other sideline.  That hug between Minka and Smart after the game just blessed me. 

So, my anxiety comes not only from the competition, but for all the mommas who had babies on that field last night.  Those pumpkins that started playing football in pee wee leagues around the country.  They blossomed in middle school and hit their stride in high school. Playing for one of the premier college football programs in the country in the National Championship game with expectations so high. Millions of people watching.  

I just can't.  

Does anyone else do this?  Have this running dialogue going on in their head?  Do I need medication?  

When the game finally ended, I was two driveways down the street and Chip came running out to tell me they won.  I screamed all the way back into the house and the neighbors probably thought someone was being murdered.  Actually, they probably expected it and were not surprised at all.  I mean, we have lived here for almost fifteen years and there is a lot of screaming coming out of our house during Bama games.  

Then I stayed up and watched all the replays because I didn't see any of the end of the game live.  Watched the boys hug their parents and each other.  How about those Ridley brothers.  One played for Georgia - one played for Bama. How about their momma?  Thrilled and devastated?  How do you deal?

By far, my favorite tweet of the night.

What a coach. What a game.  What a comeback win.  What a thrill for those kids.  So happy for The Tide.  Much respect to the Bulldogs and what Kirby is doing with that team after just a couple of years.  Many future matches to come between these two teams.

Today, we will just sit with a grin on our face and be so proud of or team.  They didn't get to the top of the podium without a ton of work and sacrifice and effort and heart.  Hats off to another great Alabama championship team.  But next year, let's just lose three games right out of the gate.  Please.