At first, you thought it was boring. What’s so great about a bunch of guys lining up on a field and plowing headfirst into each other?
Then you started picking up on the rules and strategies. The game started to make sense, but the aggressive violence was still too much.
Then you found yourself unable to look away, tuning in every game day and looking forward to the next one. Congratulations, you’re now a fan of the National Football League!
Thanks to the NFL’s efforts to expand fandom and viewership beyond North America, gridiron is becoming a globally popular sport. More and more people are finding out just how thrilling the game is once you get into it. But watching NFL games is just the beginning!
The truth is that newfound interest in watching NFL games opens doors to other exciting possibilities. These extensions not only expand your ability to enjoy the game but help to get you more involved in the process.
With this in mind, let’s take a look at seven ways to take newfound NFL fandom to the next level:
Get into fantasy football
Fantasy sports leagues are essentially virtual versions of reality in which participants draft real players for their imaginary teams. Using actual statistics, fantasy teams rise and fall based on the real-world performance of the players. In other words, you could have a fantasy team that features some of your favorite players, as well as those you predict will flourish beyond what’s expected of them in the coming season. Win or lose, fantasy football is a fun way to get more out of the game.
Start watching college games
While the NFL represents the highest level of professional play, college football remains the proving ground for the pros of tomorrow. What’s more, the rivalries are more intense and passionate in college football. For those who find themselves getting into professional football, college games provide a way to witness the stars of the future while also experiencing a purer version of the game, in that the players are relatively young and wide-eyed while the coaching and gamesmanship remain as competitive as they are in the NFL.
Place sportsbook bets
While lawful sports betting has existed in many countries for years, it’s also been recently legalized across America. While you should never gamble what you can’t afford to lose, placing a wager or two can be a fun way to get more into football games. Thanks to NFL online betting options, you can place bets without leaving the couch. Just make sure you live in a state where sports betting is legal before creating your account!
Play Madden
Madden NFL has been the gold standard of video game football for over 30 years. It’s an exceptionally realistic experience for those who always wondered what it’s like to lead a professional football team to victory. While it’s “just” a video game, Madden is consistently cited by real-life players and coaches as a source of inspiration and a prime example of accuracy. If you own a gaming console made within the last 30 years, you can start playing Madden as soon as you get a copy.
Go see your favorite team play in person
The National Football League consists of 32 teams representing states and cities across the U.S. If you live in the United States, chances are you live within an hour’s drive from the nearest NFL stadium. With this in mind, consider buying tickets to an upcoming game and taking the pilgrimage. Even if it’s a team you aren’t especially fond of, the visiting team could be one you love watching, or you could sit back and watch the game unfold with an objective analysis. No matter what, football fans should attend a game at least once to see what it’s like.
Learn about players and teams of the past
The National Football League has been around for over a century. That’s a lot of games, a lot of championships, and a lot of history. The more you learn about the great players and teams of the past, the more you’ll appreciate the modern game.
Follow developments in the off-season
The NFL season starts in autumn and wraps up in the middle of winter. But that doesn’t mean football fans are forced to hibernate in the off-season. From the NFL draft to trades and free agent signings to preseason games, the off-season is full of plenty of action to tide fans over as they count the days until the next season begins.
Are you a relatively new fan of the NFL? If so, you should know there’s a lot more to experience as a newfound football fan. These extras will help you understand the game better as well as appreciate it more.
Michael Driver is a freelance writer from Texas. He enjoys writing about history, movies, and sports. Michael can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
