MarKeting McKenna

Blog

Before starting this assignment, I thought writing the article itself would be the hardest part. Instead, the interviews ended up being the most meaningful and, honestly my favorite part. Being able to talk with a former football player and a lifelong football fan gave me a completely new perspective on how the sport affects people in very different ways. I have recently started watching football, and it has been fun to incorporate it into this sport. I now have even more of a passion about this sport than I did before. I would love to share my experiences more in-depth.

Interviewing Riley, who is a former football player, showed me how intense football can be behind the scenes. He started playing at a young age and talked a lot about the commitment it took, from nonstop practices to putting in the work in the offseason. That’s when the training was so important. What stood out most was how humble he was about his success and how grateful he felt toward his family, coaches, and friends  who supported him. Hearing him talk about injuries, especially concussions, made me realize how much players sacrifice for the game, even after they stop playing. Listening to Riley talk about his time playing football and still a passionate fan put a lot into perspective for me as I have never played the game, despite Turkey bowls with family.

On the other side of football, interviewing Mason reminded me how powerful sports can be for fans. Mason grew up watching football with his dad, and now his family watches more. He mentioned that those memories turned into lifelong traditions going from watching games on television to going to NFL games in person. As well as getting together with friends and family for parties, and of course, the Super Bowl. His story about becoming a Los Angeles Rams fan later in life showed me that fandom isn’t always about where you’re from; it’s about the experiences and connections that you make with others. Football is something that brings people together week after week, and I would recommend all people to get into the game. It is so fun.

Talking to both Riley and Mason helped me see football as more than just a game and helped me see. For players, it can be physically demanding and life-changing when it comes to working hard and building relationships. For the fans, it’s emotional and social when it comes to traditions and spending time with others. This experience made me realize how important listening is when telling a story and how much stronger an article becomes when real voices are involved. I truly enjoyed this experience. Are you a football fan? Leave me a comment and tell me about your football journey.

Date Written: February, 9 2026