I’m not a hard-core football fan.  I’m not even soft-core.  I’m more of what you would call a “Bowler.”  The only televised football game I watch all season is the Super Bowl.  Unless my one inherited team (Denver Broncos have been my dad’s favorite since before I can remember) makes it, I have no idea who to root for.  Since I don’t watch any games leading to the big one, I have no investment in any other team.  But I still like to watch the Super Bowl.  At least, until halftime. Plus, with the Super Bowl comes Super Bowl food.  I’m in.

So how do I decide who to pull for?  Sometimes the game has to start first.  I have this natural instinct to pull for the perceived underdog.  Or, as my brother puts it, be the antagonist.  But I like describing myself as the underdog cheerleader.  The team nobody else is cheering for or the second one to score.  This means I have cheered for a lot of losing teams (did I mention the Broncos are my inherited team?  I’m used to it).

This year I already determined the underdog was the New England Patriots.  The New York Giants are more of a machine than a team.  Don’t argue with me.  I realize all teams are more franchises and businesses than actual teams.  But for some reason, the New York Giants sounded more corporate than the Pats.  All I can say is that it makes sense in my head.  I can’t really connect the dots for you.  Sometimes you just have to nod and agree with me so that I’ll move on.

However, once I discovered who the quarterbacks are for the teams, I have switched alliances.  For the second year in a row I am picking my Super Bowl team based on the off-field antics of the quarterbacks.  It worked for me last year with Green Bay (thanks Aaron!).

The New York Giants’ quarterback is Eli Manning.  I mainly know him from the cute commercials he does with his brother, Peyton.  I’ve heard a lot about the Manning family.  Everything I’ve heard has been centered on football.  No scandals.  No off field shenanigans.  Strictly football.  Since that’s his career, I like that.  I appreciate the fact I haven’t read about him anywhere else.  And, I’m so gonna sound like a girly girl, but I think he’s cute.  But don’t tell my brother that’s how I pick my team – I’ll never hear the end of it.

The New England Patriots’ quarterback is Tom “KenDoll” Brady.  It’s not that I have something against extremely beautiful people.  Well, maybe I do.  But it’s more the fact that I’ve read a lot about Brady in entertainment news and I’m sick of him.  He’s become more celebrity than football player.  I’ve read too much about him.  I know too much about him and not what he should be known for.  I just can’t bring myself to cheer for him. 

On Sunday, while we are gathered to watch the Super Bowl, I will be the only Giants’ cheerleader in a room full of Pats.  So, I guess I will be the underdog again.  Go Giants!