If I were still in the 3^rd grade, I’d fail this assignment. The reason: I did NOTHING worth mentioning. Sure, I worked my tail off and had a major back procedure…and fidgeted desperately over the imminent arrival of FOOTBALL.

I have to admit – I was desperate this year. Maybe it’s being married to one of the most single-minded football - no, Patriots - fanatics ever to walk this planet. I mean, we have been together for 8 years. Maybe he has influenced me more than I thought. As previous articles have mentioned, I was born into a football family. My sister told me I was a University of Oklahoma Sooner fan since birth (I did have to clarify with her I only became cognizant of that fact at the age of 3). And, my father did spend hours (HOURS) tossing the football with me in the front yard; quizzing me on the name, number, and position of every player for the Cowboys; and telling me my running abilities (switching between forwards, backwards, and sideways) could make me a decent wide receiver. But I never had any problem in the offseason finding other sports (hockey, baseball, even golf) to divert my attention from the lack of football.

But this year was different. I think I know why – the Patriots are a TEAM. Like I’d written before, what I missed most about the NFL (the NFL I remembered as a youth) was the team mentality, that every player realized the team - and winning or losing together - was more important than the individual ego. Growing up under Landry and the players he cultivated, I’ve been very disappointed in the "showboat" attitude so many players emit, and to which so many teams succumb. I refused to watch the NFL from 1989 until 1996 for that reason (and others). Of course, I also attended college where we stand the entire game, yell the same supportive "yells" in unison to support the team, and remain in the stands after every loss because we feel we didn’t do enough to support the team. So obviously, I’ve taken this very seriously.

Belichick has brought this feeling back for me, and his players have reinforced this feeling by their actions. I’ve seen enough footage, including Rodney Harrison saying "Yes, Sir" to Belichick after the AFC Championship Game and Bobby Hamilton yelling "We’re gonna go out together!" three times before a game, to convince me of that. Even more important was seeing Teddi Bruschi and Rodney Harrison discuss the fans’ dedication at the AFC Playoff Game versus the Titans. Having attended that game (and endured the elements for 11 hours), I know how cold it was. And their comments made me feel that my pain and potential frostbite was recognized and appreciated.

So, back to what I did this summer (a.k.a. offseason):

• Listened daily to all 5 Patriots songs my husband mixed for the fans at Murphy’s
• Talked football at work to anyone who’d listen (the first question I ask new employees is who’s their favorite NFL team)
• Mourned the loss of Antowain Smith, Damien Woody, Ted Washington, and Bobby Hamilton
• Supported the acquisition of Rodney Bailey Keith Traylor Corey Dillon Vince Wilfork
• Cheered (LOUDLY) over the retention of Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel
• Planned my back procedure (and recovery) around the Buffalo trip
• Planned all my annual leave around specific games
• Watched the Superbowl XXXVIII DVD so many times I can’t even count (I even watched it 4 times the week I attended a convention in Las Vegas!)
• Oh, yeah, and worked my tail off at the office

It’s funny – I used to chide Doug for this "issue" our first year or two together, never realizing just how much I was denying my true feelings about football and the off season. Super Bowls and winning have nothing to do with it…I just LOVE this team. They have managed, in my eyes, to achieve a status few can boast today. They are a TEAM. They are MY TEAM. I guess my lack of "activity" doesn’t really matter anymore, does it?