How to Deal With a Sports Fanatic

There seems to be two types of people in the world – sports fanatics and everyone else. Sure, there are varying degrees of fanaticism but sports seems to be one of those things that people either like or don’t like.

I would be in the sports fanatic group. Not one day goes by that I don’t watch some form of sports. Whether it’s actually watching a game, catching highlights on ESPN’s SportsCenter, or seeing predictions on the NFL Network, I keep up somehow.

Fortunately, my husband feels the same way. We listen to sports radio in the car, check scores on our cell phones when we are traveling, watch games and highlight shows, and attend events together. Truly a perfect match!

I didn’t always have it this way. I once dated a guy that really didn’t have time for sports. He’d rather watch a romantic comedy (yawn) or crime television shows. While I was down for the latter, the movies were quite painful for me but I was a good sport about it. I got him to attend games every now and then and could always get him to go scuba diving, which was nice.

So what is the point?

As the only woman allowed to watch NFL football with my spouse and his buddies, I’ve seen the girls who just can’t hang. They act like they want to watch the game and then get mad when they don’t have the undivided attention of their boyfriend/husband. They talk through the entire game and try to hug and kiss all over their men. (buzzer sound) This is not how to deal with a sports fanatic. If you have an obsessed partner you have a few options:

1. Go with it and learn to appreciate sports.

2. Deal with it and keep quiet while you knit, read, surf the internet, etc.

3. Compromise and either watch some with them or let them watch unburdened with making sure you have a good time.

4. Find a partner that wants to do what you like.

5. Cry and complain like a toddler.

While I’ll bet number 5 will get you nowhere, the other three are worth a shot! What have you got to lose?