IT’S PRETTY EASY to spot NFL fans on the way to work on Monday, Tuesday and Friday mornings between August and February.
They are the ones with the bags under their eyes, the mug of triple espresso in each hand and, possibly, two odd shoes.
I know, because I’ve been there.
However, come Monday, February 4, a lot of non-regular NFL fans will probably be joining us in watching Super Bowl XLVII and won’t have any idea how to survive a game that will only end when most people are more than half-way through a full night’s sleep.
With that in mind, here are the top five tips I’ve picked up along the way and have helped me survive late night games and still mange to write a 1,000 word opinion piece before 11am the next day.
1. Watch with friends
Your friends don’t have to be Ravens fans like this lot.
(C) GAIL BURTON/AP/Press Association Images
Friends are great aren’t they? They pick you up when you’re down, cheer you on when you’re doing well and constantly tweet you reminders of how rubbish the NFL team you support is. They’re also great for watching the game with as you can chat away during the seemingly endless ad breaks.
2. Pick a team
The Harbaugh’s parents probably won’t pick a team but you should.
(C) AP/Press Association Images
Even if you don’t have a team or, you do but their season has been over since October, it’s still better to have someone to root for in the Super Bowl than watch dispassionately. This year, you get to choose between the emotional roller-coaster that is Ray Lewis’ extended retirement party and the run-slinging kid from the City by the Bay in Colin Kaepernick. I know who I’ll be cheering for, so should you.
3. Food is fuel
Food is good, though probably not this much.
(C) Alex Brandon/AP/Press Association Images
Energy drinks and coffee might seem like a great idea when your eyes start drooping at 2am, but remember you probably have to be in work at 9 so you want to be able to sleep once the game is over. With that in mind, make sure you have plenty of snacks to hand. And remember, this only happens once a year for some of you so they don’t have to be healthy snacks.
4. Become Nate Silver
Ray Lewis looking ultra-focused for a change.
(C) Patrick Semansky/AP/Press Association Images
Okay, you probably don’t have to go that far but keeping track of the statistics is a great way to fight the tiredness if you have to watch a game on your own. Ignore the obvious stuff like time of possession or a quarterback’s completion percentage. Instead, count the number of times Ray Lewis is referred to as inspirational or how often Phil Simms contradicts himself. The over/under for both is probably 10.5.
5. Stay engaged
Tweet a picture of the awesome food you made for tip 3.
(C) LM Otero/AP/Press Association Images
Again, even if you are on your own, there are a huge number of NFL fans in Ireland and around the world waiting to discuss the game. Get on Twitter and start talking to them. You’d be amazed at how much more enjoyable it can make a game, especially during the breaks. However, it is easy to lose focus on the Super Bowl itself this way, so maybe limit yourself to social media during ad breaks or after huge plays.
Any other advice for helping non-regular NFL watchers staying awake? Let us know in the comments below.
Never mind Monday morning how do you stay awake during the game ?
Is it only on Sky?
Why thumbs down??? Just wondering if BBC or C4 etc are carrying the game?
It’s on BBC2 from 11pm
Thanks Catriona.
Don’t mind them. I only found out 2 years ago it was on bbc. Always assumed that it was only on Sky. A fair assumption too I think :-)
Or you could take Monday off!
How am I suppose to do mocks next week with 6nations and the super bowl on.????????
If your in Limerick Showtime Cinema is showing it for 15e and I think you get a beer, hotdog and popcorn for that and can bring your own beer too :)
Get a pair of Homer Simpson jury duty glasses for work. Can have a lovely nap then
Haha!!
I’m San Francisco-born, and don’t give a rat’s hiney about the business of American football. It’s a business. The teams and players care not one heartbeat about the fans, except as sources of revenue.
It was such a joy to attend the Munster hurling finals and watch a real sport being played by real sportsmen and to see real fans instead of drunken lunatics assaulting each other while watching steroid-crazed egomaniacs. A sporting epiphany it was.
What sport isn’t there to make money?
It’s ok not to like something, you don’t have to watch it. At the same time, keep your stupid opinions to yourself. That way you can hide your idiocy.
Gaelic Football & Hurling Billie. Playing for the pride of your home county ( with rare exceptions) & in most cases taking financial loss for the honour of doing it. I love professional sports especially rugby & AFL but there is something really special about Gaelic Games.
Thanks for the strategy tips, Billie. Don’t know what I did without you all my life.
Think you’ve gotten it all wrong, the whole purpose of the comments section here is for ppl to voice their opinions. Keep your “keep your stupid opinions to yourself” to yourself @BillieHetfield.
If you limit yourself to add breaks for social media thats about 90% of the game :-)
and the Americans say soccer is boring…
It’s not boring, your brain is just too small to understand what’s going on.
I won’t force you to watch, I promise.
I understand what is going on and it is very very boring. Enjoy staying up all night to watch that tripe. Worst sport ever invented in my opinion.
I swapped work on Monday for next saturday so I have a nice lie in and I just can not wait any longer bring on the Super Bowl !!!!
Just record it on sky plus keep clear of result and watch after work job done. Lets be fair not many people are gonna be running around work roaring and shouting bout the game so chances are great you’ll miss result.
never works!
Can’t wait.
I bet 49ers for the Super Bowl in October.
LOL!
- Bags under the eyes: check!
- The caffeine overdose: check!
- Wearing odd shoes: … … check :(
Sleep in the afternoon is what has gotten me through the playoffs to watch the Saturday games live. Set the alarm for before the game. Wake up, and OD on coffee until the shakes set in and you can feel your heart squelching on every beat.
Or…you could tape it and watch it the next day at a reasonable hour
Risky strategy. Twitter can be a bollocks for this.
Next day off work is the best plan I think.
true but unless its on during the day its rather pointless. After 2am just go to bed you make bad decisions after 2am :D
@john have you been watching how I met your mother
Yes yes I have it what happens when you only got basic UPC
You record it on the UPC box and watch it when you get home from work.