For every time a media company, magazine or website creates a “Girl’s Guide to Sports” list that lacks sports substance, a piece of my soul dies and withers inside. Well, not really but, I find it a bit crazy to have a “Girl’s Guide to Sports” list that has nothing to do with learning the actual rules. Of course there are some women who do not like sports but, there are also some men who choose games and technology over sports.
Reva Friedel reveals her personal feelings towards these specific lists in Awful Announcing:
The problem with this guide is that it’s not actually helpful. If you hate football, wearing a cute pair of boots and randomly deciding that Pete Carroll closely resembles Ellen DeGeneres and you love Ellen so you will be rooting for the Seahawks will not really make the game that much more watchable. You’ll still hate football regardless.
And the problem with girl’s guides on the whole is that they are generally condescending. The New York Rangers learned this lesson when they tried to publish a “Girl’s Guide to Watching Hockey” last year and it was rightly trashed. I am not here to stand on my soap box and scream about feminism so much as I’m wondering why there still seems to be so many people who think this huge-ass gender gap exists and therefore we need handy dandy guides shoved in our faces in order for us to function? As a female sports fan, it’s insulting.
On the flip side, it’s perfectly okay to not enjoy sports and not want to watch the Super Bowl or faking interest in order to make it through the day, male or female. But.. if I DID want a legitimate guide to help me understand football better, I’m not sourcing a fashion magazine, even if the source happens to be married to Andy Roddick.
Here is an example of a list, Brooklyn Decker’s Beginners Guide to the Super Bowl:
1. “Pick a team”—even if at random.
“If you’re a total novice, the first most important thing to do is PICK A TEAM! That way, you have someone to root for, you feel invested, and you have a few people to high five throughout the day. I was rooting for the Carolina Panthers but unfortunately they lost to San Francisco, so during the Super Bowl I’ll be showing my allegiance to the Broncos, for no other reason than I root for Peyton Manning to win a ring under a different franchise.”
2. But do spend a minute reading up on football buzz before game day, so you’re invested in the behind-the-scenes storylines.
“The week leading up to the Super Bowl is pretty quiet media-wise, as the main focus is football, so read up a little bit. Know a few of the big stories going into the game so you can follow a little throughout the day.”
3. Comfortable-chic is the way to go.
Jeans, a great sweater, and a pair of boots pretty much nails it! When picking an outfit for game day be comfortable. It’s going to be a long day, and you might be jumping out of your seat.
4. Just say no…
…To heels. “Ladies, stop wearing heels to sporting events. It’s a weird and a terrible idea. You will feel miserable walking around a stadium for hours. A comfy wedge is fine, but I think gals should stick with the jeans and T-shirts vibe. This is a sporting event, not New York Fashion Week—that’s next week.”
5. Show your colors…but not all over.
“There are so many great ways to show team allegiance now. You can wear a team hoodie under a blazer with a pair of flats or boots. Those are easy ways to rock your team colors without going full on jersey!
6. When it comes to cheering, bring it on.
“You should be as spirited or as quiet as you want. I’ve been known to wear a jersey to the opposing fan’s house, which is very obnoxious, come to think of it…Maybe I’m not the best person to give advice about sportsmanship.”
7. Bring snacks—and pick your beverage wisely.
“You may want to bring a few options if you don’t feel like snacking on wings all day. And drink that booze—it’s going to be a long, cold day—but I’d advise against beer because you’ll feel terrible after five hours of drinking it.”
8. If you’re spending Sunday in MetLife Stadium, it’s not the day to debut your crop top.
“If you’re heading to the actual game this year in New Jersey, good luck. Bring heating pads, and don’t show an inch of skin—it’s going to get chilly out there.”
9. Don’t fake it.
“When it comes to knowledge of rules, there’s nothing worse than that. If you don’t know anything about football, pick your team, and ask questions. But feel the vibe of the room; if people are hunched over silently biting their nails, it’s probably not the best time to ask what “going for the extra point” means. There’s nothing wrong with not knowing much about sports as long as you’re present and enjoying yourself and the people around you.”
10. In the end, it’s all about the tailgate.
“As long as you have great music, some good food, and, for this year, a heater, you’ll have a great tailgating time!”
I must say though, there are some good points on this list like “do not fake knowing the rules” and I understand this is a list from a fashion source. However, lists like this can sometimes influence people to generalize women and put us all in the same bucket. This does not help female fans who enjoy watching sports and who actually understand the rules. I’m telling you right now, I don’t want to be in the same bucket and hopefully my sports soul will survive come NBA finals time.