For most of my adult life, I devoted three hours of my Sundays (and sometimes Thursday or Monday nights) to watching Dolphins football. I’ve scheduled my day around plopping down in front of the TV and watching the Fins fight. They usually lost, but at least they made it entertaining.
My family would go to the mall or to a restaurant. I’d be home watching the Dolphins. When I went with them to family parties, I’d often sneak into a room to watch the game, or check the score on my phone every two minutes.
When the games were close in the fourth quarter, my palms would get sweaty. I’d sit on the edge of my sofa, tapping my feet frantically on the tile. I'd shout at the TV, and my wife would remind me the players can't hear me.
When the Dolphins fell short in the end (as they usually did), it would put me in a horrible mood the rest of the day. Everything in life could be great, but the Dolphins lose and I can’t fake a smile.
Those days are over.
The 2019 Miami Dolphins have no business on the NFL field. This team is on a quest for 0-16. Their only goal is to earn the top draft pick.
I can watch losing, as long as it’s a fairly competitive game. After two blowout loses, it’s clear this team can’t compete. There’s no fun in watching a one-siding beating.
Thank you, Dolphins. I’m free.
I no longer to sweat over whether the team can win. I no longer have to block off three hours on Sundays when my family is out having fun. I can relax at parties and leave my phone in my pocket, not concerned with whether the Dolphins lose by 20, 30 or 40.
There is one date I absolutely will circle on my calendar: April 23, 2020. That’s when the Dolphins will have the first pick in the draft, and I can start caring again.
