Many of you know this about me already, but I'm an avid (rabid) Tampa Bay Buccaneer fan. I have been since their inception. Granted, I was a little tyke when they came to be, but that was how it began for me. I was living in Tampa at the time, and all the local stores were practically giving away clothes for this new NFL franchise that no one cared about. Football in Tampa? Seriously? Sundays are for going to the beach. Anyway, my mom, always looking for a deal, bought up every children's shirt they had (probably totaled $25), and I ended up with an entire Tampa Bay Buccaneer wardrobe. Naturally, the whole "fan" thing just evolved.
But, football is in my blood. My grandfather played in the NFL (for one game!). He destroyed his knee in what nowadays could be cured by surgery, and expensive NFL insurance. His glory days were college, though. He was a rock star. A handsome Italian who could have any woman he wanted. He found my grandmother (who was four inches taller than him), and they were married for over sixty years.With this history, you'd think I'd lean towards sports personalities in my romance novels. Strangely, no. I don't mind reading someone else's sports romance, but I can't ever bring myself to entertain the idea. I'd have plenty of material. I've been around football my whole life. That's probably the problem, though. For me, football is romantic. That is the romance for me. I have cried. I have cheered. And Lord knows, I have toiled (anyone who knows the Buccaneers would understand this). And I have loved. I have loved a team through every adversity.
So, no. No sports romances from me. But, if you ever sit down with me on a Sunday, I'll talk enough to fill a novel...
Any sports romance writers/readers out there? Any closet sports fans?
11 comments:
I guess I'm in the strange line. I love sports. I have not, as yet, read and liked a sports romance. I don't know why. Perhaps, like you, I feel the sport is a romance and in my mind it clashes with the love romance.
You're from my Buccaneer neck of the woods, Rita. You surely know of their highs and lows. :)
In my previous job, I traveled the country, and everyone seemed to know about my football fanaticism. Somewhere along the way, a rumor started amongst the customers that I was married to an NFL quarterback. I wanted to laugh and say, "If I was, would I truly be standing in your plant installing software right now?"
Maureen, I wish I could share your enthusiasm, but I was born without the sports gene. I did inherit the reading gene, though, so I enjoy sports--from my easy chair.
I love both pro and college football. Most Sundays during football season you'll find me glued to my tv. Doesn't matter who's playing either, although I am a huge Colts fan having lived in Indiana all my life. Even so, when it comes to pro football, if there's a game on I'm there! In college I follow Notre Dame, Indiana, and West Virginia. My hubby used to live in eastern Ohio and West Virginia so he made me a Mountaineers fan.
I forgot to add I'm also an avid reader of romance, mysteries and thrillers!
Jean, that's the best gene of all to have!
Debbie, our household is filled with pro and college football too. The rest of the year is very quiet... a great time for reading!
I love college football but never got into pro sports (although my NW Pixies make sure I watch the Seahawks at our annual retreat). The only sports romance I can bring to mind is the Stars series. Argh. Who wrote them? Starts with the heroine in a beaver costume...
Hmmm, I'm not sure about the series, Cathy, but then again I confess to not reading too many sport romances. I'm a weird bird, but I think you know that by now! :)
Maureen: I predict you will someday write a sports romance. Let us know when it happens.
If I did write a sports romance, Elise, it would have to come with a theme song. All great sports movies have inspiring soundtracks. I'd do an audiobook and hum Rocky in the background. :)
Gladys, this is a whole other side of you! Tell me, do you wear sequins when you watch football?
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