This may sound cliche but most men love a woman who enjoys and understand sports. I’m a huge pro-football fan, my favorite team is the New York Jets. During football season, Sunday becomes an important sports day. I’m usually watching the game at home or at a bar with other fans. I get very excited watching my team play, there’s something about the sport that thrills me. I’m passionate about my team and about football; it’s the same passion I have for my profession or hobbies. My perfect woman would understand and participate in my football fanaticism, even if she’s not a Jets fan.

I’ve dated a Dolphin’s fan in the past (one of the Jets bitter rivals) and things turned out well. It was fun to have arguments over which team was better. They were playful in nature, and never too serious. I tend to be very competitive by nature and love to trash talk. Trash talking with my date was fun to do, and turned out to be more kidding and playful than serious. Usually the trash talking would lead to silly bet making, such as wearing the winning teams jersey to work or the bedroom for a week.

This little rivalry made the relationship interesting and fresh. Instead of arguing over silly things, we argued over sports our teams and why ours was better. The arguments never led to anything confrontational. We never let it get too serious, neither of us owned the team or had any control over who won and lost, but it was fun to trash talk and make up reasons why each team was better. The interaction brought us closer together. It was something we shared, even when other friends were around. It was our thing.

I’m also a baseball (Yankees), and basketball (Knicks) fan. Every time I meet a Heat, Celtics, Lakers, or Red Sox fan, the jokes begin to fly. Many times these dates have gone very well. Instead of liking the same team, I almost prefer my date to not be a fan of my teams. Not to say it’s a bad thing if she is. There’s an interesting banter when you date someone of a different fan base. It’s exciting, shows that she has personality distinct from my own and can stand up for herself.

Not every guy likes sports, they may be as passionate about hiking, art or movies as I am about football. These are their passions, the things that drive them. The more you understand and appreciate these things, the more they will appreciate you. Women tend to think being a guy and a sports fan is common or cliche. There’s a difference between the football and baseball fan and usually a story behind his fanaticism. I have many stories about why I’m a Knicks and Jets fan. It’s not because I’m “a guy.” I have many personal memories separate from sports due to a particular game, a team or a moment.

If the person I date understands and appreciates my love for football, then I know she understands and appreciates me just that much more. In most cases, it would strengthen my relationship with her.

Image Source: Ed Yourdon on Flickr