Go
Dust Jacket

She's Got Game

By Charlotte on January 27, 2011 8:07 AM

Normally, I'm just not into sports. But with Super Bowl XLV in our backyard, I'm finding it impossible to ignore a historic event that could bring more than 100,000 fans and hundreds of millions of dollars into my hometown. (To be clear internets, the game is in ARLINGTON, not Dallas, as my Facebook friends are quick to point out.)

Our Gang at Cowboys Stadium-350.jpgIt'll be fun to watch the Green Bay Packers battle the Pittsburgh Steelers in Cowboys Stadium since I recently toured Jerry's World with my sister Pam and nephews Jake, Garrett and Zachary. I'm not sure about Bob's loyalties but I'll be cheering for Green Bay from the comfort of our media room. Back in the day of Bart Starr, they were my Dad's favorite team (that football-fanatic gene must have gone to my brother David).

 

Charlotte (before I changed my hair!), Garrett, Jake, Zachary and Pam at Cowboys Stadium

 

And I may even "get" what's happening on the field thanks to Melissa Malamut's straight-forward girl's guide to sports: She's Got Game: The Woman's Guide to Loving Sports (or Just How to Fake It!). Won't Bob be surprised?

She's Got Game-75 or 54.jpg 

ESPN researcher, journalist and author Malamut brings a lifelong love of sports, a girly-girl's sensibility and insight from fashion editors, friends and her own experiences to this information-packed resource.  

 

Skipping ahead to the 50 pages devoted to professional football, I picked up both conversation-spurring trivia and practical game-day etiquette. For example, I learned:

 

  • More women have watched the Super Bowl than the Oscars (my guess, it's for the commercials). This championship faceoff is always held in a warmer area or in a stadium with a roof or a dome.

  • The Pittsburgh Steelers have won more Super Bowls than any team with six victories in seven appearances (pre-2011) ... maybe I should rethink that Packers allegiance. The Dallas Cowboys have been to the big show more than any other team (eight times - five wins).

  • The 1958 NFL championship game between the Baltimore (who have since gone to Indianapolis) Colts and New York Giants is considered the "greatest game ever played" because it was the first to go into sudden-death overtime (where the first team to score wins).

  • What not to wear. Malamut says forget skirts, full-length coats, sandals, stilettos and anything that might appear "high-maintenance," especially if you're on a date. But don't head in the opposite direction and sport head-to-toe team logos. When showing support for your team, less is more so wearing team colors with no logo always works.
  • The best time to leave your seat (or the couch) to not miss the action: obviously halftime. But at the stadium, you'll score the shortest lines for the bathroom and food at the start of the second and fourth quarters. 
  • When to cheer/boo: It's ok to boo and make as much noise as possible while your defense is on the field. This helps distract the other team's offense. Likewise, it's better to keep quiet or cheer softly when your offense is on the field.

Malamut also discusses tips for tailgating (how much beer should you bring?), what happens in the huddle (the offensive and defensive lineups and plays), and basics such as points, penalties and terminology (who knew "throwing it away" meant throwing the ball out of bounds to stop the clock ... not losing the game on purpose?). Illustrations help with understanding positions and referees' hand signals.

 

In addition to increasing your football IQ, She's Got Game covers the essentials of baseball, basketball, hockey, college football and basketball, tennis and golf, even offering guidance for major league soccer and NASCAR. It includes the rules, history and legends of each sport as well as do's and don'ts that'll shed plenty of light whether you're watching from the stands or your couch.

 

Author: Melissa Malamut

Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin

Penned: June 2010

Time Out: 325 pages sure to help you tackle football, baseball, basketball, hockey and more. Not into all the games? No problem. It's organized by sport so you can pick-and-choose where to get involved.

Available: $14.99 from Amazon (paperback)

Comments
Go
Red Thong Strong: Girlfriends Little Secrets to Smoothing Lifes Panty Lines
Guest Room

Diabetes-Friendly Chicken Burrito Bowl

ChickenBurritoBowlEverydayDiabetes 600.jpg

By Laura Cipullo and Lisa Mikus, authors of Everyday Diabetes Meals
Image credit: Colin Erricson

Prepare your own Mexican quick fix with this Chipotle-inspired bowl. Carbs are moderated by filling the bowl with beans, extra veggies and chicken. No need for rice, since the beans count as carbs.

Tips:

If you love tomatoes, increase the quantity to 1/2 cup, but note that the carbohydrates will also increase.

If preparing this recipe for one person, cut all of the ingredients in half. Or simply prepare the full recipe up to the end of step 2 and store leftover chicken and vegetable-bean mixture in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the microwave on High for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through, and continue with step 3.

Health Bite: The iron, calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc in black beans help to keep bones strong and healthy.

Continue Reading »

Playing Favorites

Windy City

It's been almost 18 years since Alison Krauss gave us a solo album, but the wait is over with Windy City. The release (her fifth solo studio album) features ten covers of classic songs (and some bonus tracks) she picked with producer Buddy Cannon.

Continue Reading »

Follow Us

Follow us on Twitter: @BoomerBrief 

and @CharlotteBoomer

  
Follow Charlotte on Pinterest:  Follow Me on Pinterest

Follow Bob on Pinterest


Know someone battling cancer? Baylor Health Care System's Sammons Says... cancer blog is a great place to go for help. Here, you'll find information, resources, physicians, support groups and just about everything you need to help you navigate your way through this illness.

Now Trending 

We Like These Sites 

Senior Forums is a great place to get the news and share views on everything from hobbies and healthcare, to food, family & travel. 

Matt Drudge gets the goods and his site ain't bad either.

The Huffington Post is the gold standard of political blogs.

You don't have to live in Dallas to enjoy D Magazine.

More →