You don’t really need reasons to be excited about football starting up again. It goes without saying that football is awesome, and just the fact the season is about to begin is a reason to be excited enough. But, there are a few things I’m particularly excited about when it comes to the upcoming NFL and college football seasons. While I’m not a big fan of summer ending, I am a big fan of football kicking in, so let’s go.
Reasons to Be Excited About Football This Season
New NFL Rules
Heading into the 2024 NFL season, the rules have changed a bit. There are quite a few changes, but one big one is that the league’s owners have approved a hybrid kickoff model, which would have kickers still kick off from their own 35-yard line, but the other 10 members of the kicking team will line up at the opposing team’s 40-yard line. This is the kickoff that you see in the XFL. The idea is that this new kickoff model will encourage more returns and prevent injuries on kickoffs. I’m all for both of those things.
Another approved rule comes from my favorite place: Detroit, Michigan. It amends Rule 15, Section 1, Article 1, to protect a club’s ability to challenge a third after following one successful challenge. Teams will now get a third challenge if they win one of their two previous challenges. Before this change, a team had to win both of their challenges to get the third. The Detroit Lions put forth this same proposal a year ago, and it was rejected. It passed this year, but barely.
Bonding Time
Sure, you don’t need football to bond with your friends, family and significant other. But, there’s something special about watching a football game and rooting for your favorite team to win amid familiar faces. I totally miss watching football with everyone in my life. It’s actually even a little more fun when you’re rooting for different teams, but most people I personally know root for the Detroit Lions, like I do. Now, a lot of people I know also root for the Michigan Wolverines, which I don’t, since I’m a Spartan. That can get a bit heated. But, regardless, I get excited about bonding time coming up, as you watch these wild matchups. It’s one of the more heartfelt reasons to be excited about football starting up again.
Tailgating is Back
There’s really nothing like tailgating. It’s so fun to arrive a bit early to a game and get your grub and drink on outside the venue. A lot of people even do just the tailgating and don’t go to the game. I’m a Michigan State University graduate, so let me tell you that we have the best tailgates. Walking around campus on gameday is super exciting and a little crazy.
Food
Along with tailgating comes great food. Football food is the best. I actually have a bunch of football-themed party plates and servers, so I can have a real football party. But, from potato salad to burgers (veggie, for me) to chocolate-chip cookies, tailgating food is the best. It’s one of the many reasons to be excited about football starting up again.
Fantasy Football
Now, this will be my first season doing Fantasy Football. I often do March Madness brackets, but Fantasy Football is just something I never really tried until now. I’m super excited to pick my players and see how it works. Go easy on me. That said, I know that plenty of football fans get more excited about the season for Fantasy Football than the actual real games.
So, there’s my tally of a few of the reasons to be excited about football this season. Are you ready? Let’s go. Also, check out my interview with Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff.