The Buck Stops with Patrick Mahomes.

When Wheat and I plan a trip somewhere, this is normally how it goes:

Me: I wanna go somewhere.
Wheat: You always want to go somewhere. Where do you want to go?
Me: I don't care. Somewhere new. Get on Southwest and see what's cheap.

**end scene**

This is literally how we decided on Kansas City. Once we started our research, we realized we would be in town during a Chiefs home game and we were sold. Superhero quarterback Patrick Mahomes was my fantasy quarterback and I was amped to see him do his thing at Arrowhead Stadium. Supposedly, Arrowhead is one of the loudest NFL stadiums and I can definitely confirm it seemed that way to me.

In the end, the Chiefs defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 26-14, in a game that was much closer than we anticipated it would be. It's always fun to check out new stadiums and it felt good to mark another one off the list.

When the game was over, we decided to head back to the art museum and take a deeper dive into the galleries. I mean, this place has Monet's Water Lilies and Caravaggio's Saint John the Baptist in the Wilderness, not to mention a nice collection of Warhol art. We also took the opportunity to play outside in the freshly fallen yellow leaves.

After a brief break in the hotel room, we made our way to dinner at a...YOU GUESSED IT...barbecue place. This time, we went with the one all our Uber drivers were suggesting, Jack Stack. It still didn't quite live up to Joe's for us, but can you go wrong with this?

The next morning, we had a little time to kill before our flight home, so we decided to check out our third presidential library together, the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in nearby Independence, Missouri. As usual, these history nerds had a blast learning about his presidency and life, from his service in WWI to his decision to drop the atomic bomb. Like the other libraries, this one also had a recreation of his Oval Office, as well as notable personal items on display (including his 1941 Chrysler Royal Club Coupe). Highlights for me included the famous "The Buck Stops Here" sign that resided on his desk and an original copy of the mistaken "Dewey Defeats Truman" headline from the Chicago Daily Tribune. He and his wife (Bess) are both buried on the grounds and there is an eternal flame on display, as well.

...and just like that, our dreamy whirlwind trip was over...and I started inquiring about the next one. Soon to come: Charleston, South Carolina!

I am not a paid NFL or Indianapolis promoter.

Since moving to Indy nearly five years ago, I've basically become an unpaid unofficial promoter for the city. In my opinion, it's one of the most underrated cities in America, so I'm constantly persuading people to visit so I can show them how cool it is. The food scene is killer, the downtown area is clean and navigable, but best of all, Indy plays host to several awesome events each year. Last weekend, Wheat and I were able to attend one of the coolest: the NFL Combine.

The Combine has been held in Lucas Oil Stadium every year that I've lived here and I was actually able to work the event with USA Football in 2013. This year, the NFL introduced the Combine Experience, an interactive, NFL-sponsored convention where fans could try all the drills that the athletes do in the Combine, get autographs from visiting players and coaches, and see football-related memorabilia (including the Lombardi Trophy).

We decided to check out the Combine Experience on Thursday night and I'm so glad we did. There was virtually no one there, so the lines to do the drills were super short. Wheat, being the seven-year-old boy trapped in a grown man's body that he is, had an absolute blast doing the 40-yard dash, the vertical jump, the broad jump, and "the gauntlet," where he ran to various positions to catch footballs that were shot out of Jugs. We got our picture taken with the Lombardi Trophy, perused the gift shop, tried on Packers-Lions virtual reality headsets, and marveled over every Super Bowl ring. We also waited in a very short line to meet former Colts tight end Dallas Clark, who told us to "be good."

On Sunday morning, we woke up early to watch the defensive linemen and linebackers partake in the Combine. We got our tickets for free through 1iota and that included parking at the stadium. While trying to find the right lot, we stopped at a red light right next to Marvin Lewis and a couple other Bengals scouts as they were walking into the stadium. In typical fashion, I shrieked, rolled down the window, and gave them a hearty "WHO-DEY?!" Marvin waved, but looked less than thrilled.

Once inside, we were corralled into a room with the other audience members and given small NFL radio headphones. We used these to listen to the broadcast while watching the athletes. After an hour-long wait in a room filled with TVs, we were finally escorted into the stadium to watch the drills. For the next couple hours, we watched the defensive linemen do the vertical jump, broad jump, 40-yard dash, and several other drills. Wheat was thrilled to see Tennessee's Derek Barnett and we were both impressed by Texas A&M's Myles Garrett, who might go first overall in the draft. During commercial breaks, Hall of Famer and former running back Marshall Faulk talked to us about what it's like to partake in the Combine and what each drill assesses.

Unfortunately, we had to miss the linebackers (and TJ Watt) because Wheat had a game, but we did make a quick pit stop at the Combine Experience so that I could get Bengals running back Giovani Bernard's autograph. Ultimate fan girl.

Surprisingly, the non-football parts of our weekend were just as fun as the Combine because two of my best friends came to visit. We stuffed our faces with the delicious Indy food I mentioned earlier, saw Get Out (run, don't walk, to go see it), and had some long overdue girl talk. There's nothing better for the soul than girl talk and tacos, right?

So seriously, come visit.

O-H! I-U!

Somehow, it's already Thursday and I'm just now getting around to blogging about my weekend. Oops.

Wheat left for Minnesota on Saturday morning to cover the WNBA finals (go Fever!), so my mom agreed to visit and keep me company. I say she 'agreed to visit' because I practically begged her to come. In many ways, I'm like a puppy that needs constant attention...except I'm way worse because I can actually complain when I don't get it. We filled our time with lots of wedding discussion, boneless chicken wings from BW3's that we consumed while watching the Bengals beat the Chiefs, and the season finale of Fear the Walking Dead.

As soon as she arrived on Saturday, we hopped back in the car and headed to Bloomington for the Ohio State-IU game. It was unseasonably chilly and drizzling that day, so we bundled up and wore bright orange Bengals ponchos, which I'm sure looked super cool. We parked in a remote lot and rode a shuttle to the game, which I highly recommend to anyone else with a debilitating fear of traffic and parking nightmares. Upon arrival, we loaded up on concession food, including a massive IU bucket of popcorn, and hunkered down in our seats, which were situated twenty rows up in the end zone.

Fortunately, we were surrounded almost entirely by Ohio State fans, so we didn't feel threatened while cheering for the visitors. The crowd was probably 60-40 in favor of IU, but it was tough to distinguish specific fans with everyone dressed in red. However, we did witness several OSU fans get ejected for starting fights with nearby Hoosier fans. Surprise! Memorial Stadium was impressive and the enormous flag behind the opposite end zone was entrancing. The game, which featured three Buckeye turnovers and several back-breaking penalties, was far too close for comfort. The Hoosiers had a chance to tie the game with seconds remaining (causing Mommles to close her eyes for the final minute), but were unable score on fourth down. In the end, running back and Heisman candidate Ezekiel Elliott's three touchdowns were enough to secure the 34-27 victory and lift my beloved Buckeyes to 5-0.

Ultimately, the game was great, but having my mom there to enjoy it with me was even better...and I'm not just saying that because she stocked us up on groceries, hung a chalkboard on the wall, and dealt with the maintenance man when the refrigerator stopped working at midnight. Anyone else think she's a saint?

Tailgate Tuesday!

I'm not going to lie to you. When I first heard that Erin at Love, Fun, and Football was doing a football linkup today, I wanted to write something original - make predictions for the upcoming season, create a list of my favorite fantasy team names, do a countdown of my favorite players of all time. Then, as it always does, time got away from me. So, instead of something new, a weekend recap, or even a general life update (and trust me - plenty is going on around here), you get a post that I wrote exactly four years ago today. Such is life.

While many things have changed since then, I'm happy to report that I still feel exactly this way about football.

Originally posted on August 11, 2011

Are YOU Ready?

We are quickly approaching the most wonderful time of the year.

After the lockout chaos and free agency frenzy*, after the makeshift player-organized workouts and last-minute training camps, preseason games have finally arrived for the NFL. Summer lifting and conditioning has transitioned into intense football camp for college teams. High school teams are preparing for their first games in a couple weeks. I have survived yet another offseason. It’s finally here.

It’s time for another glorious football season.

There is a common misconception (held by most people I know) that I love football because I love the players. I will not lie to you – I do love the players. I often entertain brief fantasies where I am a professional stay-at-home mom (and blogger, of course), married to an NFLer, driving our kids to football camp in a black Range Rover.** I would marry Brian Urlacher with absolutely no hesitation. I swoon over Mark Sanchez, own a Chris Cooley jersey, and defend the attractive merits of AJ Hawk to naysayers. I have Chris Long desktop backgrounds, try to suppress my crushes on Ben Roethlisberger and Peyton Hillis,*** and I cannot even start with Tim Tebow.

So, in a way, you’re right. I do love the players. However, all of this pales in comparison to my love for the game itself.

I love football - everything about it. Over the last ten years, my football fanaticism has become a defining characteristic of my personality. Between the months of August and January, it dictates my weekend plans (and Monday…and Thursday…), occupies my every thought, and determines most of my wardrobe. It alienates me from loved ones who refuse to watch games with me, it gets me in trouble for yelling and cussing too much, and it sends my heart rate through the roof. Every fall, it becomes part of who I am and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

To claim that my love of football is based solely on the players is simply false – erroneous on all counts. My love of the game is nearly religious, something that evades accurate explanation.

It’s the linebacker who perfectly reads the offense and comes up with a huge tackle for a loss. It’s seeing the offensive line’s breath on a chilly afternoon as they position themselves on the line of scrimmage. It’s a quarterback’s audibles, somehow rising above the raucous cheering of the crowd. It’s going for it on 4th and inches. It’s the successful completion of an onside kick. It’s pregame motivational speeches in the tunnel and the excitement and intensity of players before a big game. It’s handshakes at midfield before the coin toss. It’s the rewarding feeling of points scored by the defense – safety or interception. It’s the tell-tale Gatorade dumping at the end of a long, successful season. It’s “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones and it’s Guns N’ Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle.”

It’s jumping into Mirror Lake, chirping Michigan fans, “Hang on Sloopy,” and dotting the I. It’s beautiful long passes being knocked down by perfect, close coverage by the secondary. It’s yelling “Who-Dey?!” with pride, even though you know the answer is everyone.**** It’s a military plane fly-by before kickoff. It’s the crunch of autumn leaves in the parking lot while walking to the front gate. It’s the sound of helmets clashing on the field. It’s clumps of turf stuck in a helmet and shoulder pads popping out. It’s the comforting feeling you get from pulling on an old jersey. It’s the smell of hot dogs cooking on the grill in the parking lot. It’s two-point conversions and hilarious touchdown celebrations. It’s screaming at refs for unrealistic ‘Roughing the Passer’ calls and horrible spots. It’s wearing a cheesehead and stomping on Terrible Towels. It’s holding hand-warmers in your pockets during December games and never once regretting the trip. It’s intense rivalries, group chants, and those Friday night lights. It’s primal screaming and veins bulging after a critical sack. It’s breaking a tackle for 30+ yards. It’s taking the field to the booming of fireworks. It’s student sections, personalized t-shirts, and hugs and tears after a tough loss.

It’s a game-changing interception returned for a touchdown by a player who needs an oxygen mask afterward. It’s changing your starters at the last minute for fantasy football. It’s holding hands with loved ones and closing your eyes because you can’t bear to watch the play. It’s that one miserable Sunday when your favorite team has a bye week. It’s Tom Hedden’s “A New Game” and the Monday Night Football theme song. It’s an announcer unable to contain his excitement and yelling his encouragement to a player. It’s post-game interviews and switching to SportsCenter for even more coverage. It’s breaking records, going undefeated, huge upset wins, and battling until the end. It’s local stores closing early to attend the game. It’s a quarterback and his receiver on the same page. It’s conversations at the store because of the jersey you’re wearing. It’s coaches and teammates consoling a player after a fumble or a dropped pass. It’s high-fiving strangers and singing post-touchdown songs. It’s tears of defeat, tears of victory, and feeling like a part of something bigger than yourself.

Ultimately, that’s why I love football. It connects you with others in a way few other things can. Over the course of the season, you debate, cry, hug, pray, celebrate, and spend countless hours with friends, family, and even complete strangers. You’re never alone – you’re together in defeat and you’re together in victory. Football is all about the collective – the brotherhood of the team and the dedication of the fans.

It’s football. It’s not about the players. It’s about the game.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

*I completely forgot about the NFL lockout a few years ago. I guess it was overshadowed by the ACTUAL lockout that Gary Bettman allowed in the 2012-13 NHL season. Ridiculous.
**I'm pleased to point out that I'm feeling perfectly content with the idea of being a stay-at-home mom and wife of a successful sports journalist, instead. Also, we can drive a Ford Fusion. No big deal.
***Big fat yikes. I'm over the Roethlisberger crush. No wonder I tried to keep those a secret.
****Remember when the Bengals used to be really awful and we still suffered through every game? I sure do. Ride or die. WHO-DEY?!

Odds and Ends

I'm not entirely sure how this happened, but suddenly, I turned around and the Patriots won the Super Bowl, Punxsutawney Phil spotted his shadow (what a little jerk), and Wheat and I have been engaged for over a month. Are you curious how much wedding planning has gone down since I told you about my dress? Probably not, but the answer is exactly none.

This is mostly because we haven't been to Ohio in ages...and don't have any immediate plans to go back, either. My mom had surgery, we had visitors and travel plans, and frankly, I don't have the energy. It's strange to feel such pressure to make hundreds of decisions about the intricate details of one day. It will be a very special day for us, of course, and I can't wait to marry Wheat, but it's still just one day. I already have the guy and the more I drown in the details of our wedding, the more I'm reassured that he's the only thing that matters.

I feel no sense of urgency, no stress, and no desire to plan it - which, I should add, is totally unlike me. We already live together, so with the exception of a slightly heavier left hand, nothing has changed. I was just as sure I wanted to marry him a year ago. So, we're taking our time, enjoying this temporary period of calling each other 'fiance' and 'fiancee' and laughing hysterically at The Bachelor.

Last weekend, we embraced the Devour Downtown deals and had dinner at High Velocity, the sports bar in the lobby of the JW Marriott. The food was great, but the real point of telling you this is to show you the s'mores brownie we had for dessert. I'm not worthy.

On Saturday, Jenn, Paul, and Mattie came to town for the night. We had a delicious dinner at B's Po Boy in Fountain Square, watched the Pacers lose to the Sacramento Kings, and crushed some chicken nachos at Scotty's.

The next morning afternoon, Jenn and I picked up some doughnuts from Long's before they headed back to Cincinnati. We used the rest of the afternoon to prepare for our little Super Bowl gathering. The food was good, the company was great, the game was exciting, the halftime show and commercials were entertaining, and the dessert was banging. What more can you ask for? Oh, that's right. Adorable Bingo cards made by one of my favorite blog friends, Erin at Love, Fun, and Football.

Now, we have to wait until August for gridiron action. In the meantime, I'll be mentally preparing myself for the 2016 Super Bowl, where reigning MVP Aaron Rodgers and his highly touted Green Bay Packers will face the underdogs of the AFC, the Cincinnati Bengals.

...just let me have this, guys.

Fight to the end for O-HI-O.

I've only just now recovered enough to tell you (as if you didn't already know) that my the Ohio State Buckeyes defeated the Oregon Ducks and 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota, 42-20, on Monday night, en route to securing the first ever College Football Playoff National Championship title.

Via Cincy Shirts, my favorite local clothing shop

Despite four atrocious turnovers, my boys in scarlet and grey ran all over the Ducks...and I mean that literally. Sophomore running back Ezekiel Elliott (and his disturbing half jersey) finished the night with 246 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, and the title of offensive MVP. Third-string quarterback -- yeah, read that again -- Cardale Jones certainly didn't travel to Dallas to "play school" as he filled the cleats of his two Heisman-contending predecessors admirably, recording 242 passing yards and both a passing and rushing touchdown. In other words, the night was glorious.

Via Bleacher Report. Yep, that happened. As fans, we must take the good with the bad.

Unfortunately, I live in a land inhabited by Hoosiers, a strange, basketball-obsessed breed that knows nothing of baseball or hockey and blindly worships the Indianapolis Colts. My enthusiasm for the game was met not only with confusion from those around me, but also with indifference. Alas, I wore my Buckeyes shirt, socks, and necklace with pride. Even in the comforts of my own apartment, I was bombarded with Buckeye-fueled vitriol from my SEC-loving fiance. I'm convinced he must be paid on the side for bashing Carlos Hyde, Urban Meyer, and any other Buckeye, past or present, not named Kenny Guiton or Eddie George. Still, I cheered on and was ultimately rewarded with Ohio State's eighth national title in school history.

"Ohio against the world." - Me and LeBron James

I've already popped my Jiffy Pop in anticipation of the tense quarterback drama that awaits us. To all my fellow Buckeye fanatics, the 'I-O'ers to my 'O-H's, the Mirror Lake jumpers, the 'Hang On Sloopy' jammers, the Meatchicken haters, the Big Ten loyalists, and the Best Damn Band in the Land, that was truly something special. Let's do it again next year.

Until next season...Our honor defend. We will fight to the end for O-HI-O!

Boo-Dey?!

On New Year's Eve, my amazing boyfriend surprised me with something I never expected - tickets to the Bengals' playoff game against the Chargers. Saying I was thrilled is an understatement.

If you know me at all, you know I'm a sports pessimist...especially when it comes to my favorite teams. I enter every important game for the Bengals, Penguins, Buckeyes, Reds, etc., nay-saying, fearing the worst, and developing ulcers. But for some reason, I had an unnatural sense of calm and confidence about the Bengals this season. For the first time in years, I felt ready, excited, and confident that my team would win its first playoff game since 1990.

Sunday morning, we bundled up and ventured downtown to meet up with Jenn, Paul, her dad, and her uncle. We hung out at Yard House at the Banks while people, clad in orange and black stripes, tailgated in the street. The vibe downtown was awesome - people high-fiving strangers, fans shouting "Who-Dey?" at random. The excitement for our first home playoff game since 2009 was palpable.

Eventually, we made our way to Paul Brown Stadium, found our seats (50-yard line!), and got excited as player introductions commenced. Almost as foreshadowing, the announcer introduced us to the 'Freezer Bowl' alumni (Cris Collinsworth, Anthony Munoz, and others) in attendance. These former Bengals defeated the Chargers in the 1981 AFC Championship Game in -59º wind chill temperatures.

I could have run through a brick wall I was so excited.

Then, everything went wrong.

What ensued over the next three hours was not only heartbreaking, but pretty embarrassing. A team that looked promising in the regular season suddenly imploded. No offensive line, no rush defense, little offensive creativity. The Bengals somehow made the Chargers look good. Four turnovers, a lot of peeking through fingers, and unlimited four-letter words later, the Bengals lost their first game at home all season, 27-10.

Almost in a complete mirror of my mood, it started to rain late in the third quarter and continued as we trudged back to our car. Another early playoff exit, another disappointing season.

As I warmed my hands and dried my feet, however, I realized something. In previous years, I've cried hysterically, stomped out of restaurants, and vowed never to watch sports again after a horrific loss. This time, although the disappointment was overwhelming, I actually found myself grateful to be there and share it with Wheat. In the moment, I felt so lucky to be with someone who understands how it feels to love a team this much, someone who also knows sports-related disappointment, and someone who loves me despite my frequent overreaction.

Mixed feelings football and Winter Bucket List.

Somehow, I survived the first big snowstorm of winter and the travesty of Saturday night's Big Ten Championship game this weekend. The game was here in Indianapolis at Lucas Oil Stadium. I didn't have tickets (which in hindsight was probably a blessing), but we hosted a good friend from high school and his two college buddies for the night. I made some delicious Ohio State-themed cookies and Wheat tried to soothe me as I thrashed around during the game. I'll be considerably less interested in the national championship game now, but here's to next season, Buckeye nation.

In better news, the Bengals beat the Colts yesterday and, as a Cincinnati transplant in Indianapolis, I didn't exactly hide my excitement. WHO-DEY?! Also, due to bad weather, the Cyclones game was canceled on Friday, so I had an extra night at home with Wheat!

The view from our bedroom window. Not bad.

Wheat and I also made some small moves on the Winter Bucket List this weekend. Before the game on Saturday, we made snow cream (Click here for the recipe). He had never heard of it, so I was excited to share it with him! It tastes just like a vanilla Frosty with a slushier consistency. Delicious. The best news? We have a huge bowl of it left in our freezer.

Collecting only WHITE snow...

Yum. Do it.

I also sent out our Christmas cards...and by Christmas cards, I mean a Christmas-type card printed at home on card stock. It's the thought that counts, right? Mostly, I'm just excited to have a reason to send out Christmas cards this year. He melts my heart.

Want one? Send me your address.

Maybe next year I'll splurge on photo paper...

Oh, hey.

I know. I've been distant, but this time, I have a perfectly good reason.

I move out on Sunday! So, I've been spending time with my family and friends, saying teary goodbyes, packing my life away, doing homework (yeah, I already have some), and shopping at Ikea.

Ikea is Sweden's second-best export. Am I right, ladies?

So much for the meatballs.

You haven't missed much. The Bengals have started the pre-season with a perfect 2-0 record, defeating the Falcons last night and the Jets last Friday. You know who plays for the Jets? That's right, America. Tim Tebow.

Smile for me, Daddy. - "Grillz" by Nelly

Of course I was there.

I begged my dad to take me and, due to some combination of sympathy and genuine love for the Jets (he's from Long Island and a huge Joe Namath fanboy), he did. Everyone around us must have been baffled. Despite my Bengals t-shirt, I wouldn't stop talking about Tim Tebow.

Healing someone on the sideline.

Having Tim Tebow and Mark Sanchez as quarterbacks on the same team shouldn't be allowed...

Yeah, I totally watched the fourth quarter.

...or it should. It really, really should.

Somehow, somewhere, this is happening every single day.

Seriously, if you're looking for any reason to get up in the morning, here it is: Baywatch for girls.



Mama like.

I'll be back with things that matter soon.