You don’t have to see the game to love football
A columnist shares what it's like to experience a college match with vision loss
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Football season is my favorite time of year. There’s nothing quite like the excitement of game day.
I’ve been attending football games since I was a little girl. Back in the day, before my vision drastically worsened, I could see the ball and tell where the players were on the field. As my vision changed because of Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), the way I experienced the game changed, too.
Today, I can only see a tiny part of what is happening. The players on the field look like one big blur, and trying to visually follow the football is pretty much impossible. Luckily, there is a giant screen in the stadium that I can somewhat see, but even that only helps so much.
Still, once it’s time for kickoff, I’m locked in.
Most people experience a football game largely through what they see. However, I experience it through my other senses. I listen closely to the announcer to keep up with what is happening while also listening to the crowd and feeling the energy around me. I know the cheers, the chants, and the traditions, and although I sometimes have to ask what the score is, somehow I always stay in the game. I can feel it, hear it, and experience it.
‘Go, Pokes!’
For me, the experience of game day begins long before the kickoff.
A perfect Oklahoma State game day starts with getting dressed head to toe in “America’s Brightest Orange.” My cowboy hat and boots are essentials. Then it’s off to Stillwater with plenty of time to spare.
The first stop is a slice of pizza at the original Hideaway, followed by “The Walk,” where the band, Pistol Pete, cheerleaders, and fans all line the streets to cheer on the players as they make their way toward Boone Pickens Stadium.
After that, I might grab a beer and visit friends at a few tailgates, but I always make sure I am in my seat early, because the pregame festivities are one of my favorite traditions. The second the band starts playing, I am on my feet singing and cheering.
Then kickoff comes. If it’s a close game and the Cowboys score a touchdown, I’m on my feet screaming, jumping up and down, and high-fiving everyone around me. I wave the wheat, and after the extra point, when Bullet takes the field and the band starts playing, I am chanting, “Go, Pokes! Go, Pokes! Go!”
In those moments, I’m not thinking about being blind. I’m just another fan cheering on my boys.
One of my favorite examples of that feeling was the final Bedlam Series game in 2023. It was a beautiful fall day with perfect football weather, and I was dressed from head to toe in orange.
The game was a nail-biter, and during those final minutes I was on my feet hollering “DEFENSE!” as loudly as I could. It was nerve-racking, but I never stopped believing in my Cowboys.
When it was finally over, I was jumping up and down with total elation as the stadium erupted around me. Everyone was on their feet screaming and cheering, fans flooded the field, and the celebration seemed to go on and on. It was unforgettable.
Football has stayed such a big part of my life because it is something I grew up with and have always loved. Little-girl me could see much more of the game than I can today, but one thing has never changed: I am still a die-hard fan.
BBS and blindness may change the way I experience certain things, but they do not get to determine what I do. I hope others living with vision loss or any other challenge feel encouraged to not let it stop them from doing the things they love.
You do not need 20/20 vision to experience the thrill of a football game. My vision may have changed, but I am still the same Cowboy fan I’ve always been, forever loyal and true. Go, Pokes!
Note: Rare Obesity News is strictly a news and information website about these disorders. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Rare Obesity News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to rare obesity disorders.
