NOVEMBER 21, 2007

       I’ll admit it- you’re reading the column of one of the least interested people in football. Could I name five CFL teams? Do I even know three names of Bombers players? No. And sure, the local team is in the final game but prior to this week I couldn’t care less about the Grey Cup.

       Before you strap on the helmet and take a running tackle at me, I’ll also confess to you that I’ve had a change of heart this week. That’s right, my blood is running blue today. That kind of makes sense, doesn’t it?

       So what happened to make me get that sense of team spirit? Perhaps it was because of other self-proclaimed football haters (like my mom) talking football all week and really getting hyped up about the event. Come on, when it’s mom dishing all the dirt on Milt and the boys, how can you not feel left out and a party pooper?

       Checking out all the news stories about people rushing to stores to swipe whatever Bombers gear they could, somehow made me want to be part of the celebration. After making sure the credit cards were warmed up and ready to go, I hit the malls. As a side note- I usually can’t stand shopping either.

       Perhaps I went a little overboard by getting the team sweatshirt, jersey and tuque.

       Come Sunday afternoon, much like people across the country and thousands of Manitobans, I will be cheering on a team I know nothing about, spent hundreds of dollars supporting and won’t care about on Monday, all in the name of being a football fan rooting on the local team. (Do you think the stores will accept returns on Monday?)

       But here I am staring at a Bombers flag in my office, knowing I’m now the biggest sports fan around and I’m eagerly waiting for the Winnipeg Jets to take on the Hartford Whalers. (I’m getting the hang of this sporty thing, aren’t I?)

       Go Bombers!