The Arena Football Life

Sharon Soares
Friday March 11, 2011

What do you think of when you think about Arena Football: spring opening day, tailgating, new players and coaches, getting to know the cheerleaders?  Five years ago, I was introduced to Arena Football by my husband.  Little did I know my life would completely change. 

Most do not understand the insanity and love that Arena Football has created in my life.  Few fans are as devoted to anything in their lives as much as my husband is to this sport.  Even fewer understand why I support him and enjoy the game myself.

What makes this sport so special for me?  It is a fun, entertaining sport that brings fans of football together in the Spring with an exciting twist; a net, a 50-yard playing, and pads surrounding the field.  This allows fans sit close to the field right, behind the pads, and become part of the game.  Fans keep any ball they can get their hands on.  With all the excitement, and often high scoring games, fans meet players, coaches, cheerleaders, and become part of a new family.  The family of Arena Football starts tailgates hours before the game and sometimes continues hours after the game; bringing friendships to a deeper level.

My family started traveling to games in 2007 and games took on a whole new light.  We tailgated with the opposing fans, showed the team we were there to support them, and made friends all over the country.  We have been to most Arena Football cities within an eight hour radius of Kansas City in addition to Stockton and Spokane; Las Vegas, and New Orleans for ArenaBowls.  ArenaBowl is the family reunion of all the friends we meet each year, providing we know where it is going to be so plans can be made to attend.

Sharon`s husband in Barnstormers mask with AFL founder Jim Foster. Image courtesy of Sharon Soares

My husband, the fanatic, has a special hockey mask he wears each year.  The first year he wore it, supporting the Kansas City Brigade, it was grey and light blue.  Following years supported different masks depending on where we supported the league; a passport mask for a year of traveling with no home team, Iowa Barnstormers goggle mask for the year they were our home team, and this year three masks; the Barnstormers mask, Kansas City Command mask, and a blended Barnstormers/Command mask for games we play each other.  In addition to the mask, he wears colored contacts, shoulder pads, a jersey, and carries a noise maker or machete.

Each season I pick a favorite player.  I will watch him, follow his stats, and encourage him each game.  I'll try to get his jersey, if available, and follow him the following year.  If he moves to another team, I'll still support him, even if I do not support his team.  Charles Fredrick (ET) and Tanner Varner are still my two favorites league-wide.  We were going to have to miss a home game this year just to see Tanner play in Iowa.  Luckily, the schedule was adjusted and we can make both. 

After five years, we know people in almost every arena around the league.  Now, we are around the corner from the start of the 2011 season.  Plans are to attend 23 regular season games over 20 weeks with two bye weeks, like the teams.  We follow two teams now, the Command and Barnstormers.  We will make as many home games as possible and travel to Tulsa, San Jose, Dallas, Milwaukee, Chicago, and ArenaBowl. 

It is always busier March through August but the season never really stops.  We are always looking for ways to incorporate Arena Football into our everyday life.  The kids love the game; we enjoy meeting the players, and have met many friends along the way.  Arena football is a sport like no other and an atmosphere that allows anyone to feel part of a group. It is more than a sport for my family, it is a lifestyle.