  by
Nicole Bush
Football season is here, and
that means it’s time to gear up for a little
gridiron action. Whether you’re rooting for your
favorite pro, college or high school team,
you’re sure to find plenty of excitement. With
that in mind, here are some ways to show your
spirit and have family fun this football season.
A Picture
is Worth What? Wow!
Capture your love of all things football with
your camera and you could win big in the Canon &
Pro Football Hall of Fame “Why Do You Love
Football?” photo contest. Enter action photos
from game time, or feature photos of football
imagery off the field, and you could win a trip
for four to Super Bowl XLI in Miami. The
grand-prize winner’s photo will be displayed in
The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio,
alongside some of the game’s leading legends and
heroes. You can submit as many images as you
want through Nov. 27. Visit www.canon.com/nfl
for complete contest rules and instructions.
Outfit
Yourself with Spirit
What better way to show your support than to
wear it? Spirit apparel appeals to fans of every
size. Look for onesies, caps, socks and blankets
for baby; tennis shoes, track suits, ball caps
and mini jerseys or cheerleading uniforms for
kids; and T-shirts, shorts, sweatshirts and bags
for mom and dad. Little girls can even wear
spirit hair ribbons and jewelry! Spirit wear is
available at discount and department stores,
college bookstores and their websites, sporting
good stores and even local fan-oriented
retailers.
 Football
Family Packs
Enjoy a family-friendly outing to a Georgia
Tech game for only $80. The Family Pack is
available for either the Oct. 7 Maryland game or
the Nov. 18 Duke game and includes four tickets,
four hot dogs, four drinks and two bonus premium
items. Oct. 7 packs are sponsored by Russell
Athletics and could include T-shirts or fleece
pullovers; Nov. 18 packs are sponsored by
Verizon Wireless and could include visors or
caps. You’ll have to wait and see what you get!
Call 888-TECH-TIX or visit www.ramblinwreck.com
to purchase tickets.
Low on extra cash? No worries. Local high
school football games offer up great Friday
night family entertainment at minimal cost and
are a great way to support the community. Check
your local paper or school for details of games
in your area.
Raising Another
Generation of Fans
Diehard Georgia fans can give their
youngsters a head start with a new DVD series.
“Baby Bulldog” joins 19 other titles (Georgia
Tech is not among them). Even the youngest fan
will enjoy watching game footage, Hairy Dog (the
mascot) and the UGA marching band, as well as a
tour of traditions, landmarks and attractions
around Athens. The 30-minute DVD retails for
$19.95. www.teambabyentertainment.com.
So Much
Spirit
If you’re the kind of family that wants
everyone to see your team spirit, then you’re
sure to find an abundance of infant and child
products to fit your needs. From mobiles,
pacifiers, car seat covers and rockers to
clocks, nightlights, tents, blankets and toy
chests, there is something for even the youngest
fans. Moms can get excited about spirit products
like this UGA stroller from Fan Creations (other
teams also available). $55.95.
www.fan-creations.com.
NFL Launches Kids Website
Now your football fan can enjoy NFL action
his way with NFLRush.com. The new interactive
website for kids offers games, characters,
contests, fun daily features on NFL players and
even a “Boot Camp” for learning football basics.
Kids can customize their homepage with their
favorite team’s colors and logo and even make
their own mix of music to listen to while
surfing profiles of players and their team’s
schedule.
Rah, Rah, Rah!
These fun crafts are sure to please any small
fan.
Pompoms
Materials: crepe streamers; string
Cut strips of the crepe-paper streamer into
20-inch pieces. The more strips you have, the
thicker the pompom will be. Lay all the strips
horizontally in a pile on a flat surface. Secure
the center of the pile tightly with a string.
Fluff and puff the strips until it is as full as
you want. Repeat for a second pompom.
Megaphone
Materials: clear tape; one sheet of large, thick
construction paper (9x12 or larger); markers;
scissors (optional)
Shape the construction paper sheet into a cone
with a larger hole at one and a smaller hole at
the other. Small opening (which acts as the
mouthpiece) should be about 1.5-2 inches wide.
Hold the cone in place and tape to secure. If
you wish, cut the small end of the cone to make
it even. Let your child decorate with team
colors or words. Shout support for your team
when complete.
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