We Were Made for Relationship ... and Football

Before the Super Bowl, Neena Gaynor reflects on the different ways men and women kick off conversation and camaraderie. 

It’s no secret: I far prefer the drama of October’s postseason playoffs, wild-cards, and World Series compared to that other game. I’ll forever choose diamonds over pigskins, but despite its second-longest season in professional sports, baseball can’t go forever. Football is here to get us through until Spring Training, so I’ll don my foam finger for the team. 

As my family was traveling recently, something struck me about the universality of sports, and particularly college football. Whether we were on a bus, waiting to be seated at a restaurant, or walking the beach, men would strike up a conversation with my husband about the most recent headlines and matchups. I had little to nothing to offer the exchange and usually sat with a smile and quietly nodded.  

It appears men from all walks of life, all corners of the nation, and even fans of foes can find camaraderie while chatting about these games. So what did I do? I Googled some football news and started sitting near other women at the beach or on public transit, waiting for when we’d share a moment and maybe a friendship over football.  

It never happened. 

Serious sport: making small talk

Vacation was ending, and this was now serious sport for me. Wade would see me in the distance and shake his head. I think he knew well that I might do my own sort of touchdown dance if the lady in the pool lounger next to mine put down her Nicholas Sparks novel and asked me if I saw last night’s Hail Mary. My honest answer would’ve been, “No,” but can you imagine? The friendship would have forever-potential. 

On our last day of vacation, a family of four was standing in line in front of us. It was a gentleman in a sweat-soaked Notre Dame shirt, two handsome boys with eyes glued to their smartphones, and a mother with a sequin mouse-ears-headband.  

“How long until you ask him about those Fightin’ Irish?” I whispered to Wade.  

To my surprise, the woman turned to me. “Oh, I wish they could always stay young,” she smiled at Josey and Wiley.  

We talked for the remainder of the 35-minute wait. When it was our turn to be seated, Wade asked if the kind lady liked football. 

“Well, the boys both play basketball, and one tried lacrosse last year and really enjoyed it.”  

Made for relationship

I love that the commonality of female conversations is relationships. We were made for relationship — to be daughters, sisters, wives, and mothers. Now in those relationships, I’m able to pepper in some advice from my favorite coaches. Like Nick Saban is often attributed with the astute observation that, “It takes what it takes.” For my southern friends, I think Lou Holtz’s gets the win with his sympathetic remark that, “No one has ever drowned in sweat.” My personal favorite is also credited to him: “I can’t believe that God puts us on this earth to be ordinary.”  

I agree, Coach.  

God put us here to love and serve Him, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. I think that means we must talk to them, and maybe that’s about those Fightin’ Irish or Buckeyes or a Super Bowl contender, or maybe it’s about tried-and-true ways to get grass stains out of Little League pants.  

Those are just a few ways to kick off a friendship.   

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Copyright 2025 Neena Gaynor
Images: copyright 2025 Neena Gaynor, all rights reserved.