Andy Is A Fan

Andy Rooney On The Joys Of Watching Football

(CBS)  The following is a weekly 60 Minutes commentary by CBS News correspondent Andy Rooney.

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Sometimes when I go to bed Sunday night, I get thinking I spent too much of my weekend watching games on television. During the football season I probably spend an average of ten hours in front of the television set Saturday and Sunday watching all or part of several games.

About eight times a year I don't watch on television, I go to a New York Giants game because they're playing at home. I use the phrase "at home" loosely because the New York Giants play their "home" games in New Jersey.

Getting back to New York after the game is never easy because everyone else is coming back in bus or car too and we all have to squeeze into one of eight bridges or four tunnels that funnel into the city.

You'd think that one of the good things about actually going to an NFL game would be that you are spared the incessant blather of commercial talk that pays for the radio and television coverage but such is not the case. At the game you are besieged visually and by loudspeaker commercials. You're a captive audience because you can't tune out the sales pitch by going to your kitchen to get a drink.

My ticket for each game costs $75. Unless there is still some doubt about who is going to win the game, I usually get out of my seat two or three minutes from the end of the game and start for my bus, which is parked about half a mile from the stadium.

You may ask why I pay that much and go to all the trouble and expense of actually going to the game when I could watch it comfortably at home on television without spending a nickel. Well, it's a good question for which I have no good answer. Going to the Giants' home games is just something I do. I'm not saying it makes sense. I'm just saying that's what I do.

[michellem99-2009]

Andy,
Sorry Dear I do not care for football. I love baseball. I was raised hearning to the Boston Red Sox on radio and TV when growing up in Maine.. I am 53.

[ravenna1212]

Regarding Football watching:
You really work magic for 60-minutes; making something out of nothing. I like football too.

[hypnotoad72]

Maybe for the same reason people go to movies rather than buying them - the sense of community.

Of course, like some moviegoers, some in the stands can be fairly crass too... :(

[birchwood07]

I enjoyed your comments this evening. I''m like you, attending the eight GIant home games. Your right though, sometimes I question myself why not sit at home to watch and not make a 10 hour day of it. However, I''m sure you will agree its just not the same. By the way I see you most games since you sit the next section over.

[williamkell1]

I watched your portion of 60 Minutes tonight (Sun., Dec. 9th) and feel you are the one to bring to light an injustice. You must know what I mean --it''s the NFL network blackmailing cable companies!
I realize that you will be at the Giants-Patriots game on Dec. 29th -- but most football fans will not be there and will not even see it on tv!
Could you bring your good office to bear on what is certainly a blatant move for money by the NFL. Can''t see how the NFL would alienate so many fans this way!