An easy one to start...

When I started with this venture, energised and enthusiastic, I didn’t expect something to come along that halted my project and, well, everything else in its tracks.

To cut a long story short, my nearest and dearest dude had to endure an unexpected trip to hospital, unpleasant tests, raised stress levels (understatement) until, eventually, there was a sigh of relief and some enforced rest. My own blood pressure went a bit off the rails too, and there were some issues with overactive tear ducts *cough*, but all is now well for the dude, so all is well for me.

Me being the kind and thoughtful soul that I am, I decided to take advantage of the fact he was supine (Hey! That’s not a euphemism!) to use him as a font of knowledge for my first trip into something new. That something: American football.

Now, before anyone comments, I am well aware that I have neither the physique nor the fitness level required to play. And I’m not even going to get started talking about my low tolerance for pain. And, yes, I am also aware that I’ve had a little bit of a head start here, attending home games for the amateur team he plays for, the West Coast Trojans, this year. I haven’t ever really tried to fully engage with the sport though, and with the NFL season only in its second week, I thought it might be the perfect time to give it a bash.

It’s been a very interesting week so far (this one will span out to close to a fortnight if I’m honest), with some history, biographies, NFL and college football on TV, devouring American punditry, learning about the UK sport and its governing body BAFA, computer games, playbooks, and much more. I’ve barely even touched on the wealth of books and films based on the sport, trading cards, health benefits and safety in the sport, learning to throw, and the upcoming Britbowl  - including the National Division 2 final which the dude just happens to be playing in (Mon’ the Trojans!)

So, to avoid wrist cramp and reader fatigue for anyone unfortunate enough to stumble on this page, I’ll be adding some updates daily until I’ve covered everything from the1994 Miami Dolphins season, to Tony Romo’s recent injury, and as much as I can in between (and before).