since when?

I don't understand the big deal about football. I know that it's a guy thing, and I am a total football widow, but since when did it get so all consuming. Peyton went to LSU, Geaux Tigers, and hence our whole neighborhood needs to know this since we live in SC Gamecock country. So we have the mailbox cover, a lovely cover, the purple and gold really accents our craggy mountain brick house with neutral shutters and trim, the flag, which just recently made it's way back inside because the threads are coming loose and it's so faded, so apparently we now have to replace it with a new Nat'l championship version, and the football shaped front door rug, which is the first thing anybody sees and they seem to think that I am also a fan, I don't really care much for football, but visitors, ie the lawn guy, the UPS guy, the mail lady, everybody says, "so you're an LSU fan, huh" to which I usually reply, not really, I went to Mississippi State, to which I get the response "Oh, ok" and they usually have really blank looks on their faces. Hey people, from what I did watch this year, MSU had a good season. So I guess I do care a little, but not to the extent that I plan my whole season around what games are on. I guess I'm more ranting than anything, but I just don't get it.