Up next is Becca from So scared of getting older, I’m only good at being young! She is the cutest, and I love reading her blog! If you don’t follow her, read this post, then head over to her blog right away! Her dad is an NFL coach, and today’s post is a little NFL behind the scenes! Enjoy!

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When Ashley first put out the feelers for guest bloggers I was stoked at the idea of writing on her blog because it’s one of my personal favorites to read. It’s nice to read a blog written by another Christian girl who’s passionate about some of the same topics I am: adoption, faith, friends, family, chocolate, sunglasses! I mean, we’re practically soul mates. We were intended to be friends. I was trying to think of something unique to write about that would be different from what some of you who mutually follow us have already seen me write about. So I thought I’d tell you about being a coaches kid.

Growing up my Dad coached college football which basically meant that as one of 3 girls, my sisters and I had cute college guys over for dinner regularly. What could be better than that I ask you? It was like having (really cute, unrelated) brothers in the house. Not to mention we got to play on the football fields, eat at ‘training tables’, and sport fun gear to the games on weekends. We loved it.

When I was 10 my Dad made the plunge from college to the NFL. The big leagues. I’m not sure why but it never really occurred to me as a child that this might happen so when it did I remember being shocked. Oh, the NFL. This illustrious unreachable place that all the sudden was a reality for us.

The 15 years (wow, has it been that long?) since then have been a whirlwind of experiences. I think it’s safe to say there have been more ups then downs – both for the teams we’ve been with and with our families experience in the league. We’ve had some pretty cool experiences along the way from attending 2 Pro Bowl’s in Hawaii to winning a Super Bowl in Miami (we also lost one there). It’s really been a crazy ride. But really, you just want to hear the funny stuff and the famous people I’ve seen or met, right? So let’s get to the goods.

Probably my most shameful NFL related experience took place in Nashville, TN. My college buddies and I had taken an RV from Purdue (where I went to college) to Nashville to see the Colts (my Dad’s current team) play the Tennessee Titans. It was a division game so it was a big deal for us as a team of course, but it was also just meant to be a fun trip for my friends and I. We sang a little Karaoke, we tailgated with the few other Colts fans present, we slept 12 people in an RV, and we headed to the game. We were of course sitting way up in the upper deck, tucked away where the home team wouldn’t hear us, ya know. The row of people behind us was a group of 40 year old men who’d all gone to high school together, were liquored up, and trash talking on the Colts. Awesome. I’m a pretty high strung person so immediately my friends were concerned. One of my guy friends asked me if I’d like him to politely ask them to tone it down a notch. Nah, I’m a big girl and I’ve grown up listening to trash talking fans, I’m good, right?

The conversation takes a fateful twist when they start picking on the Wide Receivers which was the position my Dad was coaching at the time. They’re picking on our players, who of course feel like family to me, and I’m growing increasingly tense. I take a deep breath and tell myself it’ll be fine, no big deal. Just as I finish this thought the guy says ‘Well maybe if they had a decent coach’ and I snap. I turn around and smack him straight across the face. Whap. I have now been reduced to ‘that girl’ who gets in a fight in a stadium and of course my initial thought is, oh my gosh my Dad’s going to kill me. I mean seriously, who does that?

Thankfully, after some explaining from my friends and I the guys behind us including the victim of my rage, felt terrible. They apologized and kept offering me beers I politely declined. And we left that day relieved that I wasn’t having to be escorted by a police (how mortifying would that be?) and without further incident. But I have to say, that’s still my most mortifying NFL experience and my Dad still doesn’t know (until maybe now?).

Hmm, I can only imagine what you all are thinking of me now. Yikes. I should pause here to explain the toughest part about being a coaches kid is hearing people (usually ignorant people) bad mouth your Dad. I don’t know what it is about family that brings out my sensitive side but I’m super touchy about my family members. When I was in college I would get these obnoxious facebook messages and posts from people who cheer for other teams. They’d think they were clever with their wise cracks and digs and honestly, it was terrible! I went back and forth between wanting to take a swing or wanting to cry. It’s tough enough to hear it in the stands but from people you considered friends? Brutal.

The best part? Free stuff! I mean naturally we all love free anything, right? And along the way we’ve gotten some pretty sweet loot. Other than my love for the actual game which I think would be there with or without Dad being so involved – the free stuff is stinkin awesome. I have the world’s largest collection of baseball caps that from various teams, events, sponsors, etc. I love hats. I also seem to always have a ridiculous supply of t-shirts. I was laughing about this the other day when I finally sent 10 to a friend so I could start closing my drawers again! The drawback is that frequently the free stuff is like a mans 3XL. Ack.

But since this blog is primarily written for girls I’ll skip the overly gabby football part and tell you a few highlights I think you’ll enjoy…

- I went to this party at Warren Sapp’s (@theqbkilla on twitter) house once, when we were with the Bucs and a few weeks later I saw his house on CRIBS! I was in middle school so naturally this was the coolest thing that had ever happened to me. Duh.

- At our first Super Bowl we sat 5 rows in front of Ashton and Demi! They were wearing Bears jerseys (our rivals) but hey, it was still cool! David Spade sat in front of us but that was less exciting. Oh and yes, Demi looks just as amazing in person. Even wearing one of those horribly unflattering ‘women’s jerseys’. I want to know her secrets! We also had a Paris Hilton sighting that day – but I’ve never been a big fan of hers.

- I got to meet Brett Favre once – pre-scandal. But it suddenly seems like a bigger deal now.

- I got to fly on a private jet with Trent Dilfer. Trent’s awesome. He and Dad were going to an FCA speaking gig (I don’t even remember where – I was blinded by the coolness) and my sister and I got to tag along. Now that.was.awesome. I’m back to flying coach now. Wah.

- I asked for and was given Al Davis (owner of the Raiders and famous child-hater)’s autograph and lived to tell about it. This may not mean much to you if you don’t know the football world, but this was a bold move for a 10 year old. He was wearing a white leather Elvis suit. Enough said.

- Saw The Who & Prince sing live at Super Bowls not to mention a whole fabulous array of people doing the National Anthem over the years including Carrie Underwood, who I also love.

- I once signed (not to be confused with sang) the National Anthem at a game with thousands of people watched (and yours truly on the jumbo tron)

- I’ve gotten to meet so many cool people from Peyton Manning to Warrick Dunn – it’s really been pretty fabulous.

I hope you all have enjoyed this guest post and I haven’t bored those of you who don’t like sports (or football?). Hope I gave you at least a few giggles along the way. : ]

Love,

B