Super Bowl: Women's Lib Lineup

The Super Bowl 

A big game named after a tiny ball and one of America's most anticipated holidays—although it would be much bigger if it fell on a weekday and we were given time off from our jobs to watch it. With pay. 

In the past, it was Dad's me time—he had complete control of the TV and nobody bothered him with emergencies like broken bones or bickering. American Fathers could spend the day living the dream, which meant that there would be lots of loud yelling from the den (the man-caves of yesteryear aka the 1970's), beer, and absolutely no women or children allowed.

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Somewhere along the line, we ladies earned the right to:

-     vote—on which food to serve on Super Bowl Sunday 
-     to treat our bodies as we please—Yes, I will take another beer and some chicken wings 
-     to not only gamble on and watch the big game—but to like it.

And why wouldn't we? As much fun as it is to assume that women don't like violence, have you seen reality TV? 

Or how about those mobs on Black Friday? 

More often than not, shoppers arrive in teams, made up of both men and women, but the quarterback is almost always female. She calls the plays at midnight in the car, on the way to the store: 

"Joe Junior, you go in first. Just scoot through everyone's legs and get us a spot on the register line. We'll meet you there in ten." First, she designates the running back, usually the smallest and most wiry, to navigate around The Fridges and to avoid the Clothesline Tackle. 

Then she forehead plucks the sleepiest of the crew. "Joe Senior! Uncle Mike! Get with the program!" She warns her fullbacks that if they don't tech block and she can't nab an iPhone 12, there'll be hell to pay when they get home. They go over the strategy several times and she drills them endlessly. 

The Christmas Quarterback is usually an overachiever. "Missy, you have the lists organized by lowest price offered, right?" Four downs is three too many. The family still has five other stores, each the size of a football field to hit. But in the end, if there's a flag on the play, Mamaback will fly solo and take the game to the next level. "If we get separated, take an Uber home. But remember, the cost of that ride equals a Nintendo Switch. You've been warned." 

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How did this Aggressive Revolution start? 

Many would like to argue that after years of oppression and mediocre wages, an uprising began and the All-American sport seemed like the best way for women to express their hidden rage. The days of smiling through gritted teeth had ended, and women were sacking their lives, bent on changing things.

I don't agree. I think it began in the park, at a time when it was no longer acceptable for nuns or parents to take out the switch and beat children into behaving. In the eighties and nineties, kids were suddenly acknowledged as human beings with feelings and personalities that were affected by their environment. The spotlight was put on pedophiles, child abusers, and the idea that parents and kids should be BFF's. We were beginning to live longer. If kids hated their parents, what kind of home would they put them in when they got old? 

And so  a new era of playground mothers donned their game faces and formed a defensive line

As far as they were concerned, no unauthorized players would make it to the end zone where their kids were playing. 

Every sandbox has one—the alpha female—the quarterback. Her closest confidants, aka the defensive tackle—the ones who knows that she and her husband haven't had sex in six months—are authorized to babysit her kids if an emergency pops up. They have a say in choosing the defensive ends—you need more than three women to take turns bringing the wine to play dates—the ones who round out the squad. Sure, they criticize each other's parenting skills behind each other's backs, but if a bigger kid pushes one of their kids off the swings, they are a team again, enforcing their seniority status and effectively blocking bullies and newcomers from muscling in.

Cornerbacks occasionally visit. They sit near the see saw, on the far side of the park. They tend to be working moms who come on a rare day off. Although they are always invited to the after-lunch at Mickey D's, they are more acquaintances than friends. When strangers approach (especially ones who arrive without a kid in tow), the cornerbacks see them first. Like sentries, they welcome them with loud, high pitched tones, a signal that is acknowledged by the other parents. Quickly, but subtly, the linebackers take their places, alert and ready to tackle any wrongdoer if need be.

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After a few years, women began to realize that they had more in common with America's favorite pastime than anyone previously thought 

Respect for the game grew, and it trickled down through the female bloodline. They began speaking up about discrimination and their love of sports. Women's participation in games like soccer and basketball were well received, and more and more female fans were born. 

I'm not sure that we'll see women playing professional football anytime soon, but when my man

Used with permission from Google Images

asks for another beer, I throw a perfect spiral and he smiles. In our house, that's code for: Get ready to score after the game, and if you can pass those chips without blocking my view and interrupting the play, I'll catch you later for the extra point.

CF Winn is the award-winning author of The COFFEE BREAK SERIES, a quirky group of short stories meant to be read while on break or in the waiting room of the doctor’s office. Her first novella, SUKI, has been grabbing hearts and hugging souls all over the United States.  The sequel, WHEN DWAYNE DIED, is coming soon.

The BOOKLIFE PRIZE (a division of Publisher's Weekly) describes MOORE THAN MEETS THE EYE: "This novel is a unique and original storyline that readers will likely find much enjoyment in. Winn's fiercely plotted storyline makes for a suspenseful read. Every plot point feels as if it is being revealed at precisely the right moment. Winn's word choice makes for a joyful ride through unexpectedly dark terrain."

You can now order SUKI in paperback at BOOK REVUE, one of the nation’s largest independent bookstores, by email at info@bookrevue.com Learn more about SUKI at BOOK REVUE.  

Her blogs have been syndicated on multiple sites including The Masquerade Crew. More posts like these can be found at Humor Outcasts and The Patch where she is a regular contributor.  

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