Top articles/videos you'd use to indoctrinate a newbie to MI Football
Hey everyone, I'm bringing a ladyfriend who knows bare minimum about football ("A touchdown is 6 points, right?") to her first live game this Saturday.
In a shameless process of indoctrination, my deal with her is that she will study/watch one article or video per day until Saturday
I already sent her "The State of MI Football (for Dummies)" , a little heavy for a first read, I know, but I think she did fine with it.
Soooo...I've got a few more days...what would y'all recommend as "must reads" before then?? (online stuff only! no books and such)
August 31st, 2010 at 7:49 AM ^
your attempts are ridiculous. If she is not a football fan, your attempts to bring her into it will only drive her away and make her hate it when YOU enjoy it. My suggestion? Buy her a jersey (whatever number she likes), get her some stickers for her face, and tell her to yell and make up silly rhymes or whatever she would enjoy. She'll have a blast and want to come back. If you make her learn how to predict a screen based on down and distance and alignment, or the cases when a play review is/is not allowed, she's gonna hate it.
August 31st, 2010 at 8:00 AM ^
I'm not gonna try for all THAT stuff. She wants to know "what the big deal is"
August 31st, 2010 at 8:36 AM ^
One thing chicks dig is when you start talking about some of the individual players/ coaches and what they contribute to society. "Oh, Lloyd Carr... Mott's Children's hospital..." "Mike Hart started a youth football initiative in upstate NY...."
How about even talking about RR as a person and all that he's had to endure here at Michigan thus far. Things that really make it personal tend to work (in my experience.)
August 31st, 2010 at 7:53 AM ^
Wolverine Historian's youtube channel has a bevy of useful stuff. Tributes to individual players, montages of last second wins...If you can negotiate her watching a few videos today, i'd go with 1) the "band...take the field" video (youtube) 2) AC's last second catch, mostly for Ufer's call and 3) Desmond/Charles tribute provided by the aformentioned Historian:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phxrqPnejxk
Edited to add, Keith Jackson's intro to the 100th meeting of the game.
August 31st, 2010 at 7:56 AM ^
Did you make her take a cooking class before you took her out to dinner? Blazefire hit the nail on the head.
August 31st, 2010 at 7:58 AM ^
If things go according to plan, she's going to be singing it alot on Saturday. OH YEAH.
August 31st, 2010 at 9:28 AM ^
My sentiments exactly
August 31st, 2010 at 8:02 AM ^
Watch one of the timeless victories in recent times with your friend (pick any from the "10 best in the last decade" series from Brian earlier). Makes it easier for you to explain how the game is played, and for her to raise any questions.
That has worked really well when I was turning my friends into American football (and Michigan football) fanatics.
August 31st, 2010 at 8:19 AM ^
August 31st, 2010 at 8:23 AM ^
just by taking her to a game at TBH. She'll "get it" after she takes in the whole tailgate and game atmosphere, sees the improved best-in-the-universe stadium, and learns the rules (over time) with your help.
Buying her a jersey is also a great idea, as someone above suggested. That will make her feel part of the group.
August 31st, 2010 at 10:18 AM ^
You nailed it. As soon as she walks inside that stadium, she's bound to feel something. That will hopefully set the wheels in motion about anything else football related.
The first time I ever walked inside the big house as a little kid, I had no idea what the rules of football were. All I saw were a bunch of players crashing into each other on the field. It was confusing as hell for a 5 year old. But I loved it. I loved the atmosphere, the stadium and wanted to learn more about football just because I was there.
Make sure you get to the stadium early so you can catch pregame. Seeing 110,000 fists in the air on every "Hail" should impress her as well. At least I hope it does.
August 31st, 2010 at 8:30 AM ^
....is highly contagious in and of itself. At the risk of sounding REDUNDANT, keep it simple and fun. Don't be a professor of all things football, but answer every goofy question she comes up with (with a big smile on your face).
If anything, show her the Brock Mealer story this week and bring extra Kleenex on Saturday. That moment alone, with 110,000 people crying and cheering for that courageous young man will be one of the most memorable events to ever occur at the Big House.
August 31st, 2010 at 8:39 AM ^
... send her a story about Brock Mealer. That may help her understand the importance of the opening ceremonies.
Also, walk by the Marching Band warm up at Revivale Hall before the game. Maybe go into the game with the students or through some tailgating.
Also, stories about the Ohio State rivalry may work if she is from Michigan or Ohio.
The "Michigan Game Winning Touchdowns" on youtube.com might be fun to watch too.
August 31st, 2010 at 8:51 AM ^
I always found the best way to get ladies into football (or at least tolerant of it) is to just sit down with them and watch some games, explicitly for the purpose of explaining the rules. Next time a good old UM game pops up on BTN, sit down and just give her a dumbed down play-by-play as you're watching.
August 31st, 2010 at 9:31 AM ^
Dumbed down is the key. Don't try to explain each penalty or why this receiver is ineligible. Just give a vague, it's-a-silly-rule explanation.
August 31st, 2010 at 8:55 AM ^
the things to do/say at the appropriate times:
- "Who cares" after opposing players are introduced
- "Lets Go Blue" chant and "Hail to the Victors" chant
- "Oooooh" at kickoff
- Get loud, especially on 3rd down
I think she'll enjoy things like that more than the intricacies of the game.
August 31st, 2010 at 9:00 AM ^
but get her to watch the Countdown to Kickoffs to get to know the current players. She'll root harder for people she can connect with.
August 31st, 2010 at 9:21 AM ^
If you want to get your girl to like Michigan football then show her the piece that E60 did on the Mealer story. If she watches that story, she will cry and be "all in". Add that to the fact that Brock is leading the team out while she will be there.. she will love it and you will be free to enjoy the game!
good luck
August 31st, 2010 at 10:00 AM ^
yelling "boobs" everytime Cissoko was involved in a play. I smiled every time.
Teach her a few player names, buy her a jersey, and tell her to yell "I love Cox!" everytime #15 runs the ball.
August 31st, 2010 at 3:40 PM ^
I don't know how you can watch the game with someone that doesn't care about football. My girlfriend knows that Saturdays are sacred. Unless she's an 11 on a 10 scale i'd flip the ticket to one of my good buddies that also bleeds maize and blue.