Posted on July 25 2011 by Caitlin Carver

Sports fans: It’s still summertime…football can wait!

July 25th was a glorious day for football fans everywhere. There will be a 2011 football season. Wooo! Yay!!

Oh the Twitter feeds. Everyone was rejoicing the lockouts end. I’m sure President Obama is already planning to make July 25th a National holiday. And then I saw a tweet that caught my eye. It said “Football’s back. Can’t wait for fall to come.”

Whoooooaaaa. Excuse me, are you serious?!

I started to notice many tweets with a similar message. All saying they can’t wait for football season and for their team to kick butt this season. Don’t get me wrong: I love football just as much, if not more, than the next die-hard fan. But why are people wishing away the summer? This is something I’m not ok with, and I’m starting think many football fans are getting ahead of themselves.

Now I’m not saying people need to dismiss the preparation for the 2011 football season. But wishing away summer just to get to football season is foolish. I have three reasons why.

Yes, baseball is my reason. And for those of you who are quick to reassure yourselves that your football obsession is acceptable because you don’t have a baseball team, remember that I used to be just like you. But I realized that I couldn’t go an entire off season with only the lockout to talk about. Plus there’s lots of excitement going on in baseball right now.

If you’re a Cleveland Browns fan, are you really going to focus your attention on football when the Indians are near the top of the AL Central? How about Detroit fans? Sure, everyone expects the Lions to improve this year but check out the Tigersleading the AL Central! In the NL Central the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals and the Milwaukee Brewers are back-and-forth in their fight for first. Fans need to enjoy this while they can.

I picked up baseball this year, and I’m following the Twins. You might wonder why I CAN wait to move on from baseball, but I have come to appreciate baseball for more than the success of a team, even if it’s more fun when the Twins win.

How can you not love the excitement of a ball game with your friends? I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t enjoy going to a baseball game. Beer, hot dogs and brats, rowdy fans, summer sunwhat an awesome way to hang out with friends. Haven’t been to a game? Try it. I dare you.

An entire offseason is going to be squeezed into a few days to get teams prepared for the preseason. Certainly during the preseason, and maybe even into the regular season, the NFL will be sloppy. Perhaps not all of the team will be, but enough for it to show.

Here’s why:

The teams have had no practices. Sure, a few have had unofficial “team workouts” but they haven’t had real practice time. Another reason: the rookies have not had a chance to dip their toes into the professional world, and many coaches are still wondering exactly how they can maximize their unproven talent.

It’s going to be a rocky start for many teams. Getting overly excited for the beginning of the season will only leave you disappointed as your favorite team struggles to get their game face on.

Anyone who lives in the Midwest can understand this concept. Trust me, I haven’t forgotten what it feels like to shovel a path through 5 feet of snow or bundle up before heading out in the below zero temps. That is why I enjoy every bit of sun I can get. A heat index of 110? Bring it on. Besides, jet skiing, boating, campfires and fireworks are a few of my favorite summer things.

You really want winter to come so quickly???

All I ask of the football fans is to not wish away summer. It’s already going by fast. Enjoy what’s going on around you now. Football will be here soon. Enjoy your summer first!

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