The Darkest Sunday of the Year

Everybody has a day on the calendar that they don’t look forward to. If you’re a lucky boyfriend who has no clue how to give gifts, it may be Valentine’s Day that you dread. If you’re an early sleeper, New Year’s Eve might not be your favorite event. If you’re a sports fanatic like me, the Sunday before the Super Bowl is usually your biggest nightmare.

If you don’t know what I’m talking about, I’m sorry but you cannot consider yourself a true sports connoisseur. However, do not fret; I am here to inform.

The Sunday before the Super Bowl is commonly known as a sports graveyard. Football is obviously off, basketball and hockey usually have few to no games going on, and most other sports haven’t taken off yet. In laments terms, this is a recipe for disaster for the sports fan.

I was lucky this year. The NHL All-Star game fell on this exact date, salvaging an otherwise barren day. However, if ratings are any indication, this doesn’t cut it for most. Here are a few suggestions that may save some from going stir crazy in the future on the darkest Sunday of the year.

1) Have a sports video game marathon day. Nothing comes as close to simulating the action as playing the game yourself. But since most of us aren’t talented or athletic enough to hit the hardwood, ice rink, or field, we can pretend to reign supreme over our favorite sports on the playstation. Invite over some friends, bust out the snacks, and live it up the American way.

2) Check EBay for sports memorabilia. Hey, if we can’t be our favorite athletes, at least we can look like them. Just make sure to buy a couple of tennis balls to put near your biceps and your jersey will look professional.

3) Youtube highlights from your favorite teams. Nothing shows your true support for a team than watching three year old games. You’d be surprised, but this footage will help you gain a keener understanding of everything about the team you bleed for. If any friend calls, ignore the phone at all costs. A social life is a small price to pay for this kind of intimate knowledge.

Following these steps will help you - the sports freak - survive the most harrowing day on the annual calendar. Always remember: together we will survive.