When first announcing to people that my beloved NFL team is the Broncos, most people come to the conclusion that I know nothing about football, and that I’ve jumped on the bandwagon, just like all the other “fake” fans who only like the team who won the previous Super Bowl. Though, this year, guess what? My team didn’t make it. And guess what? They’re still my team.

I’ve bled blue and orange since the day my dad opened his mouth and starting teaching me about his favorite sport; and that, may I add, was the day I was born. Despite the fact that I’ve bled those colors since as long as I can remember, their absence in the Super Bowl would never stop me from sitting on the couch, eating my favorite finger foods and taking in the most-watched game of America’s favorite pastime. The absence of my team really only turns my interest from anxiety and the desire to win, to a relaxed night with one hope: a good game. And if I want to mix it up or make it a little more interesting, all I need to do is cheer for the team that the person to my right or left is cheering against. A little competition only makes things better.

So if you’re the kind of person that has a dark cloud hovering over them on the night of the big game (Super Bowl, or any other big game) just because your favorite team isn’t there, stop throwing shade. Simply enjoy the game.

I can assure anyone that football isn’t going away anytime soon, and hopefully, neither will they. So put those two together, and the odds of a fan getting to see their team make it to the big game atleast once in their lifetime has pretty high chances. So for now, sit back, relax and know there is nothing you can do to change the outcome of the day’s biggest sporting event, so you might as well make some fun out of it.