Taking a break from the NFL obsession
 

Those of you who know me and have visited the gameroom will know what kind of step this is for me so here's my checklist.

1.Recently informed my big money fantasy league that I'm out and I've already found someone to take my spot.

2.Will not be activating the other 6 DTV receivers this season.

3.Will not have Sunday Ticket

4,Will be spending more time outside in the Fall,either here or at the lake instead of being cooped up 12-14 hours on Sundays watching a game I have very little faith in anymore.

This does not mean I am done and have washed my hands of all but the plan is to take a major break which in all honesty I hope becomes a permanent thing.

Thanks for listening/reading.

I could not watch any other games but the Chiefs game and be fine. Don't think I could give up watching the Chiefs. I haven't missed a single game since 1997. I might be able to give up Fantasy football but that would be a tough one. Good luck Nzoner.

Yeah, I have found myself watching less football on Sundays. I was religious about watching football on Sunday up until a couple of years ago. Last year I think I watched maybe half of the Chief games and maybe one other game all year.

Worst season ever to take a break.

No shame in that at all. I definitely know your passion for the sport, so those are some pretty big steps. Best of luck, and have fun outdoors!

Nzoner, this sounds like a wonderful idea. You'll save a good bit of coin and I'm pretty sure you'll be happier and healthier with a better relationship with your wife. Maybe just catch the Chiefs games on local TV or on the radio as you drive to/from the lake.

You don't like the way the NFL is headed? Speak with your pocketbook. Good job man.
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Spending more time outside sounds a whole lot better than spending more money. Enjoy!

I pretty much just watch the Chiefs and a percentage of the high profile games around the league. I almost never watch the Monday or Thursday games. The days of me tuning in for 5 NFL games a week are long gone. The sport just isn't as interesting as it once was.

for the past 3 years or so, I've basically watched the Chiefs games, then go about my day/business. Couldn't tell you the last non-Chiefs game I watched, aside from the Super Bowl.
I find more enjoyment watching college football and have my Sundays back.

College football sucks so bad^

Chiefs are going to the Superbowl for sure now...

was it my NFL takes? Just come back - I'll stick to food threads and movies!

Most excited for a Chiefs season in 15 years. Going to be a fun one.

Dude... Why would someone seriously wait until NOW to go rogue on the Chiefs?

We're in store for potentially the most exciting next 10 years in Kansas City history.

And seeing the birth of our chosen one build himself from the ground up will all be a part of the journey.

I've told the ****in pizza man to embrace this journey and don't miss a game. If you're a hint of a Chiefs fan, you need to jump aboard this and enjoy the ride because this is what we've been asking for-for 40 years.

I was going to buy some firecrackers when I was in town too!

Outside of the Chiefs since I moved back to KC about 2 yrs ago same here.

Waited my whole life for Chiefs to draft and develop a franchise QB. Can’t wait for this season.

This. Maybe dvr the games and watch them at night

This sucks because i always wanted to show up at an nzoner bash

I wish you well sir

Does this mean the CHIEFS will now win a playoff game at home? The curse is over! You should have done this years ago.

You can always DVR the Chiefs or any big game and watch it in a matter of 60-90 minutes. Obviously, Mahomes will be worth watching, but it doesn't have to be a 3+hour thing, either.

I remember the FOMO when I first started getting away from it, but the fewer games you watch, the more you realize you're not really missing much at all.

I didn't say that,you'd have to see my NFL themed gameroom to know that my life is/was totally obsessed by all things NFL.

Believe me a major break for me is watching one game a week and I may do that via DVR.

Just don't miss Chiefs games. This is what we've asked and wanted all along.

In that case sounds like a reasonable and probably positive life adjustment. I couldn’t do it, but glad for you.

But... Mahomes??

Totally understand the thought... after fighting through the last few decades though, it's an odd time to walk. Best of luck.

I don't blame you. I watch the Chiefs. That is it. Maybe check in on others if I am still doing school work.

Fall is the best season

Did Colin Kaepernick have anything to do with this?

It's always easy to tell who and who hasn't read the OP :D

Since you asked here's a few reasons I've made this decision

1.First and foremost as an avid sports gambler for 30+ years I feel the game has gotten shady as hell and certain calls,outcomes and the like are heavily influenced by Vegas spreads and over/unders.I'm not saying the entire league is fixed by any means but as someone who follows Vegas odds like a hawk the coincidences over the years have just become too much and I feel like I'm watching the WWE at times.

2.The whole National Anthem debacle as well as certain players not respecting ANYTHING and acting like spoiled brats has also contributed.

3.Getting older and becoming semi-retired as in some of the most beautiful days are in Sept/October and I want to enjoy them while I can,even it means sitting under my favorite tree at the lake with a cooler and some tunes and watching the Chiefs on my time via DVR.

I just got out of my long-time FF league this year, which I'm thrilled about. I hardly paid attention this last year anyway.

I almost exclusively watch Chiefs games only. Maaaaaybe the Super Bowl.

I've been playing since the early 90's,I'm anxious to see if there's any withdrawls.

Ya - I'd rather be fishing.

I wasn't as diehard as you but I used to watch all Chiefs games, whatever AFC West team was playing in the other time slot plus MNF. Now I watch most Chiefs games and nothing else, not even most playoff games.

I only watch the Chiefs so I'm not over loaded with NFL games.

I’m way more excited to watch Mahomes than I’ve been in a decade.

Andy Reid. Bob Sutton.

You’re gonna miss the Brady farewell tour though??!!!!????

I feel you, N.

Breaking off fantasy football is a HUGE step.

Good for you Joe.

Each time I catch myself caught up in the game and believing in it, stuff like the "forward progress" call tells me I am a fool.

The 98 playoff game against the Broncos was the beginning, the wake up call.

No point in rehashing all the others, but now I just watch and enjoy the Chiefs. If they win, great. If they don't, oh well.

Like you, I used to bet a lot and would be in action on several games at once, "lighting up the board" as they say, while watching them all on DTV.

Not anymore, Dartgods game is all I play and it is plenty. Like you say, that is some of the best weather of the year.

Enjoy!

:clap: :clap: :clap:

This for sure. :clap::clap::clap:

I sometimes grab a cigar and a couple of cold beers in a bag with ice, go for a car ride somewhere like a mountain vista, sit on a rock, take in the panoramic beautiful view, light up and drink my beers while just chilling and thinking simple thoughts.

It has a nice effect of slowing life down.......Spending quiet time alone can be very cathartic.

Nope. Makes watching the other game's so much more enjoyable.

I played for about 10 years or so; was really into it. I stopped playing about 5 years ago, and haven't looked back.

yep. this is where I'm at.

I wish DTV would offer an ala cart package or single team package. I thought they would after the survey a few years ago. Alas, no.

Life is so much better not giving a shit about sports teams.

I actually checked out a few years ago but with Mahomes taking over, it makes PERFECT sense to do this now.

Yeah, the Mahomes era is going to be exciting. But starting out with a "don't care" baseline means he (and the team) can only exceed expectations. There's no downside.

The smarter fan would have taken a hiatus from 1970-2017, then started up again in 2018

I would rather have loved and lost than to have no loved at all.

I can admire your discipline. I'd like to take a hiatus from watching football on Sundays. Three hours per game, and so many stoppages with many of them just for advertisements, and the product being directed to people who normally wouldn't be watching, and it's a business and so they have to sell the product and pay for the product. I get that. But if there's football on I'm watching it. A labor dispute is the only way to pull me away, and as much as college football isn't quite the same with being inferior, it's different enough to make it very enjoyable, and for the first three months there are so many games to choose from every Saturday at the same time that it's beautiful

Just when the Chiefs get interesting? Ok.

The 1971 team was a fun team to watch...right up there with the 1993 & 1997 teams.

Don't think I have to remind you that it's not mutual, at all... and that kind of love, for that amount of time, to that extent... has to be unhealthy.

So was the 2015 team

Every franchise has fun teams but none of those teams achieved the ultimate goal, or even won the AFC

Truth be told, my schedule has been so crazy the last several years that it's hard to watch more than one game. I have 3 kids between the ages of 12-16 and they're all involved in lots of stuff and with work, it's really impossible to justify spending a whole Sunday watching games. I'd love to watch more, but I do good to catch the Denver game and one of the primetime games.

Hell, I haven't watched a Sunday morning sports show in probably 10 years. I don't want my kids to remember their dad sitting on the couch watching football in their prime years.

Amen to this.

It’s like Andy Dufresne finally crawling out of the sewer pipe only to purposely drown himself in the river.

This will be my 3rd year without season ticket or playing in a FFL. Like you I was into it big time. I won my FFL 2 out of the last 3 years I played. After starting the gambling thread here at the planet I had won it twice as well and did not play the last 3 years. I stopped during the Kaepernick debacle and just wanting to spend more time with my son who was getting older. Last year you could count the hours I watched on one hand. I only watched the first half of the chiefs playoff game sitting in a restaurant when I told my son it was the same old chiefs and they were going to play to not lose and because of that they would lose again. I understand that prediction was correct.

At this point I have no regrets. I love having my Sundays back. Family time is 10k x better. Funny, Kaepernick ended up being the best thing to ever happen to my weekends. You are totally going to dig it man. Still hope I get a chance to meet you one day.

Kids change everything no doubt.

I gave up watching the NFL outside of the Chiefs with the whole kneeling thing. I don't really miss it. I probably would have gave it all up if it wasn't for Mahomes.

Have you tried Red Zone? It's pretty amazing. Especially if you're into fantasy or gambling. You just pop around to games with exciting stuff happening. No commercials. Sometimes, you're watching multiple games at once for a short period if several are threatening to score. When there is a break with nobody close it shows a game with a team driving or replays of some huge interceptions or a huge run someone had in the last few minutes. The host is pretty funny too

Incorrect.

College football is way more exciting than the NFL.

Eh, not really.

Money has wrecked the NCAA, and created a real disadvantage if you're not Alabama.

The thing is, a team can have a successful season in college football without sniffing a national championship. For a team like mine (Iowa), winning 9 or 10 games and playing in a good bowl is nirvana. Once you get past the handful of powerhouse perennials, there's a ton of parity in that 2nd tier of power conference teams.

The NFL is completely "all or nothing" and despite all of the mechanisms in place to create parity, there really isn't any. It's just like college only on a much smaller scale with absolutely zero consolation for anyone other than the SB winner.

On the flip side, my dads passion for the Chiefs growing up in the 90's is what propelled me to become such a fan. It/football was something we bonded over moreso than any other thing in life, and that's still the truth to this day.

Remember my dad and I watching games as a kid as a highlight of my childhood memories.

Doesn't always have to be a bad thing man.

Being content with mediocrity doesn't mean the NCAA isn't severely flawed.

Good luck.

I have done similar during the Cassel and Smith years.
I recorded the games. If they loss I deleted, if they won I fast forwarded.

Some of you guys talk about this as if it's a disease or getting over a drug addiction. The fact is, football is the greatest sport of all time (in my opinion). What is so wrong with enjoying and obsessing over the game? Why do we encourage backing away from it? If football is what makes you happy and something that is a part of your life then why are there so many people in here talking about taking "That step" Or "Big step" as if it's something that's wrong and that he needs to step away from.

Seriously asking because I don't understand. Not attacking.

This. FB season is the best sports season. Love my Sunday's watching, listening, chatting. All day. I catch all three games and love highlights.

Perhaps some take it too seriously.

Same. It's 3-4 months out of the year, and once a week I spend an entire day geeking out and talking with friends about the games. I love it. Can't imagine wanting to step away from it.

To each their own of course, but the words of encouragement towards Nzoner has me so confused. It's like others feel the same way but can't bring themselves to do it themselves.

A lot of this thread reads like an alcohol/drug addiction thread.

Good for you. There was a time I could tell you ever player on every roster and every coach and assistant coach on every team. It got to a point that it was so much of the entertainment in my life that I was missing out on so much. I have been watching just the Chiefs every week for over 8 years now. As the time has passed I have found more time to do other things that I enjoy very much. Ironically the game has gotten worse with each passing year.
Best of luck in all your new adventures!

It's hard not to relate to him after watching countless ass-****ings that are brushed away like they never happened.

Eventually you will figure out that time spent with family is a thousand times more fulfilling than watching yet another ass-****ing, whether it's produced by the officials, NFL, or even our own inept franchise.

Oh I can understand being discouraged after those types of things for sure.

It's not even his thing that I'm confused by now, it's just the reactions. I mean look at the response above yours. I don't understand the supportive nature that's being presented. I personally want everyone to be happy with whatever they choose in life, but to me, it sounds like Nzoner has spent a rather large portion of his life loving football. And not just the Chiefs. Football. What is so wrong with that that we need to send over our encouragement for the fact he's trying to step away from football?

I guess that's my difference.

Football time IS my family time. It's what's always brought us together. Same with my friends. All of my friends I have are because of our connection with football. We talk about it all the time, and therefore have grown to know eachother in other ways during the off season. Football is my damn life. Whether the NFL is rigged or not is another story.

Do you have young children or are they grown up? That makes a big difference.

I have young children that don't care right now, so that it swaying my opinion. When they get older and start watching my opinion will change.

Like you, I'm not putting anyone down for it. These dudes know their football to a passionate level. And to know about it like they do means you have an intense allegiance. Nzoner is just that guy.

It's like finally giving up on that chick who just wants to be friends.

Nope. No kids. I can definitely see that making an impact when that time comes. Especially early on.

I got into football heavily when I was about 5 or 6. At that age and from there on I was pretty much locked into anything and everything football. I remember my dad watching the game, and I'd run to my Sega Genesis and try to recreate the Elvis Grbac 504 yard passing game vs the Raiders.


Maybe once I do have a kid it'll be different, but it'll be different because I have a new real life responsibility which makes all the sense in the world.

But I've never once thought about holding any ill will towards my dad for wanting to watch every Chiefs game. That's the stuff that only helped me love it more.

This is exactly my experience.

We lived on a farm & all 7 of us did chores together with my dad but the thing we still all talk about is spending Sunday afternoons together watching the Chiefs. Even today when we are apart we spend time on the phone talking during the games. I know some families who don't have some sorta connection. We have football.

I think it has made our family closer. But to each his own.

10 wins and a conference championship isn’t mediocrity, it’s a success but in a relative sense. In college football, you can end the season with a win even if you aren’t #1. That gives fans hope, even if they know their team will realistically be as good as Alabama or Ohio State. College football can be fun even when your team isn’t the best. The NCAA isn’t perfect but it certainly doesn’t suck. It’s just different than the NFL, which is a good thing. The NFL is pretty boring anymore.

Cool man.

I joke about blaming my father and brother for making me a Chiefs fan, but we've had good times together on Sunday.