~ Joe Theismann, sports commentator and former NFL quarterback

In my sophomore year of high school I became a cheerleader, partly because of the cute outfit and the pom-poms, but mostly because a physical education class was required and I was a horrible, embarrassing failure at most team sports when I was growing up.  Cheerleading was a way out of the shame of being chosen last for a team.  Plus, I liked to perform and always was kind of a girly-girl at heart.  My punk-rock leopard-spotted hairdo gave me some street cred when my personal sense of rebellion was at odds with the world of bake sales, cheerleading camp and school teen spirit.

I had fun as a cheerleader and I was good at it too.  However, between the splits, jumps, dance routines and shouts I harbored a dirty little secret:  I had no idea how football worked.  We performed cheers like, "First & ten, do it again, we like it" and "Push 'em back, push 'em back, waaay back", but I was clueless as to what a first or a ten was and where exactly we were supposed to be pushing them.  In fact, during my years of cheering, I thought the words were "First in ten..." (and that is what I actually yelled).

Through the years, various friends and boyfriends tried to explain how the game worked.  It sounded so simple.  I didn't want to admit that I just didn't get it.

Then, a couple of years ago, something clicked.  I found myself watching games and enjoying them.  I didn't appreciate the games in the way I did an opera, a concert or a film; rather, when I watched a football game, I didn't have to think about anything.  My mind is usually in multi-task mode and various thoughts, ideas and subjects take part in a shouting contest for supremacy in the space between my ears.  Surprisingly, when I watched football, all that noise stopped, maybe because I didn't understand the game and so I couldn't judge it.

I began to savor the sheer simplicity of zoning out in front of a televised game.  I loved how my mind became quiet and calm and how all my worries, to-do lists and opinions evaporated, leaving a big, beautiful box of nothingness inside my head. This Thanksgiving and Christmas I found my way to the couch and a game after dinner: silent, staring, serene.  I could hear the women talking, seemingly non-stop, in the background.  Suddenly, I understood why men disappear into football games on holidays.

A surprise little side effect of my newfound love of zoning out in front of a football game is that it finally clicked;  I now understand what downs are, why the first one is preferable and why ten yards is so important.  I've enjoyed watching many Super Bowl games over the years, but this weekend's will be the first that I watch as a true fan of the game.  

I may still make a psychic prediction of the outcome based on my impression of each team's uniforms when viewed side by side at the coin toss (my record at this is quite impressive).  

I'm still a girly-girl at heart, I guess.

~~~~~~~~~

Tamale Chili Three Ways is the perfect Super Bowl food whether you are a meat-eater, vegetarian or vegan.

2 (14.5 oz) cans seasoned, diced organic tomatoes 

   (such as garlic and onion, fire-roasted green chili, mexican seasoning, etc.)

2 (15 oz) cans chili beans (the flavored kind)

1 (15 oz) can organic whole kernel corn

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

A pinch of chili powder

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Your choice of the following:

For meat eaters:

     4 cups of your favorite beef or chicken tamales, cut into chunks*

For vegetarians:

     4 cups of your favorite chili and cheese or vegetable tamales, cut into chunks*

For vegans:

     1 (16 to 18 oz) tube of packaged prepared polenta, cut into bite-sized pieces

*You should have 4 cups of chunks after chopping up the tamales.

Choose your toppings:

Lots of grated cheddar, sharp cheddar or pepper jack cheese

Sour cream

Chopped green onions

Chopped black olives

Your favorite hot sauce

Corn tortilla chips

In a large saucepan, combine tomatoes, chili beans, corn, tamales or polenta, and seasonings.  Simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes.  Serve with your choice of toppings and chips.

Serves 8 to 12