I love watching football. I loved playing football. I just wasn’t any good at it. Yet still I study those who are good at it.

Either it’s weird or it’s natural.

I’m addicted. Why else would I be noticing that even though Bowling Green has nothing to do with bowling, and neither does Quick Lane, Bowling Green is playing in that bowl?

Why did it take me till Sunday night to realize that Baltimore’s two great quarterbacks, Johnny Unitas and Lamar Jackson, both went to Louisville? It must have been that Colts/Ravens disconnect.

Another recent realization is that center bars have completely disappeared from football helmets. A center bar once protected one’s nose from destruction. Perhaps that’s why “hands to the facemask” became a thing.

In this Year of the Backup, don’t even think about labeling Joe Flacco or, God forbid, Bailey Zappe, the GOAT. Two words: Earl Morrall. He took the Colts to the Super Bowl subbing for Unitas and the Dolphins in Bob Griese’s stead. I still hold it against him that he didn’t see Jimmy Orr all alone on that flea flicker against the Jets, but Morrall’s no longer with us and it was almost 54 years ago.

On a bang-for-buck basis, the most productive use of a dollar is that spent on a backup quarterback.

Twice, in Air Force’s bowl victory over Boise State, the TV guy made a naval reference. First he said it was a good omen for the Falcons that the sky was “battleship gray.” The Air Force also has nothing to do with aircraft carriers, which provide mobile bases for Navy fliers. The guy pointed out that Air Force’s QB, Zac Larrier, rhymed with “carrier.” Maybe Navy will be in a bowl next year.

Today I spent most of a half hour in a drive-through line. I thought the guy in the Honda SUV must be ordering for the National Guard – the sky was “battleship gray” – but it was, in reality, a mere $48.92. Meanwhile, I just wanted two McDoubles. While in line, though, I did hear all the latest overreactions on sports radio. Apparently, Brock Purdy went from Most Valuable Player to worst player in the league since Sunday night.

The biggest secret in football – and for that matter, most everything else – is that sometimes great calls fail and dumb ones work.

What if they put together a team from the Transfer Protocol and gave it a spot in the FBS playoffs? Who would coach it? I’m guessing it would be someone presently talking about games at halftime.

Here’s my unfair synopsis of the Carolina Panthers season. They hired a new coach who drafted a new quarterback. So concerned was the coach for the QB’s development that he pretended it was a middle-school team until he was fired. Then the new quarterback began to develop.

I’ve learned from sportscasters what every coach wants in a player. He wants athleticism, physicality and a high IQ. Those three add up to coachability. A coach told me recently that it was all about “controlling the controls.”

Professional kickers are astonishingly good. Reasonable field-goal range is anything inside 60 yards.

NFL conversions are conducted from the two-yard line. I don’t know why Philadelphia ever kicks.

I better get back to that Bowling Green-Minnesota game. If the Gophers can pull this one out, they’ll finish an estimable 6-7.

Happy New Year. I’m cautiously optimistic. It couldn’t possibly be worse. Oh, wait. There’s an election.

I’m thankful for your support, whether by advertising, contributing or reading.

Thanks so much for the recent contributions. My goal is to provide unique coverage of local sports. I’m aware that folks appreciate what I do, particularly the kids, coaches, parents and fans.

I used to list an address to send a check (DHK Sports, P.O. Box 768, Clinton, S.C. 29325). I finally got it through my thick head that not that many people write checks nowadays. For example, me. A more convenient means might be sending a reasonable contribution to DHK Sports on Venmo.

Support the advertisers, and help keep the site – the game stories, the blogs, the photos – alive by making, if you choose, a monthly donation via Patreon. The Laurens County site is here. The Furman site is here.

Another way I can make a little is if you purchase my books at MonteDutton.net. They’re quite entertaining in spite of the fellow who wrote them. Two of my novels, Cowboys Come Home and Lightning in a Bottle, are available in audio versions. The latest, The Latter Days, is about baseball.

Photo galleries are posted on Instagram @furmanatt and @laurenscountysports.