Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend.  Got any big plans?  Which team do you think will win?  Who are you rooting for?  That’s what everyone wants to know.  Well, this blog won’t answer any of those questions.  I have no big plans.  I don’t know which team will win and am rooting for no one. 

No, I don’t dislike football.  I love football.  I just don’t have an opinion about the two teams playing in this year’s big match-up.

In the fall of 1981, I was a freshman in the CHS marching band, and we had the opportunity to march a half-time show for the 49ers.  I had never been in a stadium that big.  I remember when we lined up on the sidelines, right before the end of the first half…we were standing right next to these absolutely HUGE guys…in full uniform they were GIGANTIC.  Anyway, the ‘Niners won that game, and I was hooked.  They went on that season to win their first Super Bowl, beating the Cincinnati Bengals.  It was a beautiful thing.  That day, I became a ‘Niner fan for life. 

Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Dwight Clark, Ronnie Lott, Roger Craig…they were gods on the field; larger than life.  I watched every game.  There was a time when I could rattle off stats like an encyclopedia.  Joe was the master of the two minute drill.  He was, I believe, the greatest quarterback to ever play the game…and I’ll argue with anyone who disagrees.  Try me. 

During that magical decade or so of 49er dominance, the New Orleans Saints were not on my list of likeable teams.  From my perspective, they played dirty.  Their defense always seemed more interested in maiming players from the opposing team than actually stopping forward progress of the ball.   They were just as likely to rip your head off as tackle you.  I hated the Saints.  My husband constantly reminds me that the Saints of the 80’s are not the same guys on the field today.  He repeatedly tells me it’s a whole new team today, with a different playing philosophy than they used to have…but I can’t help it.  I still don’t like them. 

And the Colts?  Well, I don’t know a thing about them.  They have just never really been on my radar.  During my rabid ‘Niner fan days, the Colts win/loss record was a roller coaster of ups and downs.  I never really paid much attention to them. 

In college I worked at Gottschalks.  We sold game tickets through the Ticketron machine there, and I would buy tickets to at least one game every year.  I watched  all the other games on TV, and may have actually called in sick once to make sure I didn’t miss a game (shhhh…don’t tell).  I watched all of the great Super Bowls when the 49ers were in their glory.  Those Super Bowls with the ‘Niners were a National Holiday, as far as I was concerned.  They clobbered the Dolphins, rolled over the Bengals (Again!), and embarrassed the Broncos.  I watched the Super Bowl in 1994, and my beloved ‘Niners beat San Diego, although my heart wasn’t completely in the game, because Joe was not on the field, having gone to Kansas City already.  Truly, I questioned whether I was a ‘Niner fan, or a Montana fan… I decided I was both. 

So….I will probably watch the game on Sunday.  But I really don’t care who wins.  Whatever.  I’ll just munch on chips and guacamole and see what happens. 

Some day though, my mighty ‘Niners will be back.  Yes, you just wait.  ‘Niner fans are forever faithful…and very patient.   (We miss you, Joe.  It hasn’t been the same since you left.)

—–LisaMarie