Hangovers. I’ve had a few.
But none as painful as the gut churning, heart-stopping, slightly sick to my stomach feeling I had as I watched the 49ers lose to the Ravens in Super Bowl 47.

Although this feeling may not qualify as a real, alcohol fueled hangover, I contend that it has all the residual effects that a full blown binge leave and one that threatens to last until the start of the 2013 NFL season. It’s the mother of all hangovers.

I’m sure Ravens fans had a massive Super Bowl hangover, but sore heads and upset stomachs seem like a small price to pay for victory. I can’t say I have any sympathy for them.

Yes, I am going to New Orleans to cheer on my Niners! I am thrilled, excited and beyond surprised. I was set to watch the game at home or at some-one’s Super Bowl Party. But I was so honored and surprised to be invited to join my friend as part of her group of family and friends. I am still pinching myself.

After 18 long seasons, the San Francisco Forty Niners will make an appearance in the Super Bowl 47. Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, the excitement and pride is evident and tangible. For the many Faithful who have supported the Niners during the 18 year drought this Super Bowl trip means more than word can express.

I don’t mind gloating. Yes, I repeat, gloating, because after witnessing Colin Kaepernick make his first start as the Niners quarterback in a Monday Night game December against the Bears, I said he was something special. I have never ever gone out and purchased a player jersey until they have retired with great careers, the only jersey I own is a Ronnie Lott jersey.
But I told my husband after that game that I was very tempted to get a number 7 jersey, that how impressed I was with this young man. I knew he could very well be the next 49ers superstar quarterback

Are you ready for some football?
Calling all ladies & gents who need a little help understanding the game of FOOT BALL. Yes, no need to be ashamed…Pear Street Bistro and Femmefan.com will be hosting a Foot Ball 101 series to help us get the basics of this great American sport.
Come join PSB & Allan Kennedy, former San Francisco Forty Niners offensive lineman part of the 49ers Super Bowl winn9ing teams, on Saturday 1/26/13 @ 1:00.
Enjoy cocktails, finger food, autograph session & a photo opt while learning how to watch this exciting game!

I must admit, last week’s wild card games were a little disappointing.
The games were not that close, there were no last minute heroics, no great moments of suspense and drama. The best game of the weekend was the NFC wild card, Seahawks at Washington.The Redskins started out by scoring twice and leading in the first quarter 14-0. It was my second opportunity to watch RGIII and I was happy to see him moving around in spite of his brace. But that lead and RGIII’s mobility disappeared rapidly as the game progressed. As you know he was hurt late in the game and has had knee surgery. He is a talented young man, I hope he can recover and be as electrifying as he has been this rookie season next year.

Wild card weekend is my favorite NFL weekend.
Every game is important. Every game’s outcome could have ramifications that reach beyond the final score. Teams that lose this weekend will turn their attentions inward as they review players and staff. For some players and coaches these final games are live auditions for their future teams. All these ingredients increase the already elevated level of anticipation and excitement. Not to mention a little thing called money, every player and coach is hoping to earn playoff bonus money.

Bingo is by far one of the most played games around the world, land based and online. Whilst the lotto style game started its origin within brick and mortar venues dating back to the early roots of the 1500s, it’s gained its popularity online for many reasons with the main one being enjoying the games for the chance to win real cash all from the comfort of your home, and two, for the social aspect, meeting new players.

Here we are boys and girls, heading into the last Sunday in the NFL regular season, Week 17. It’s do or die time in the NFL regular season, it is Do or Die Sunday which will be followed by Black Monday.
I don’t know how the NFL brainiacs manage to schedule these showdowns in the final two weeks of the regular season, dumb luck I guess. But I like it!

The NFL regular season is drawing to a close, and it is fascinating to watch. The final two weeks hold the promise of drama and fantastic finishes. In case you missed it there were several fantastic finishes last week, the 49ers great game vs. the Patriots and the Cowboys over the Steelers. Expect the unexpected.
Several playoff spots and division titles will be decided in the next two weeks.
The do or die scenarios are what make the NFl so intoxicating and addictive.

Mobile revolution is at its peak in the second decade of the 21st century. Mobile phones serve the purpose of not only calling and texting but also provide a wide range of entertainment sources. Companies are competing hard to lure their customers with new and useful applications every now and then. Records state that online game application is the most downloaded app all around the world.

Another week of NFL madness is in the books.
Looking back on the season it seems pretty clear that nothing is guaranteed.Teams favored to win their divisions and/or get into the playoffs:
Saints: The Saints’ season has been a disaster. How much of their losing record can be attributed to the Bounty scandal?
Eagles: The Eagles free fall continues. I suspect the “Dream Team” tag will not be used by other teams any time soon.
Jets: The J-E-T-S big talk has not translated into big wins.
Cowboys: “America’s Team”? Says who? Jerry Jones?

Before I get to this week’s Crystal Ball Picks I wanted to weigh in on the article written by David Whitley for AOL FanHouse, about Colin Kaepernick’s tattoos.

“San Francisco’s Colin Kaepernick is going to be a big-time NFL quarterback. That must make the guys in San Quentin happy. Approximately 98.7 percent of the inmates at California’s state prison have tattoos. I don’t know that as fact, but I’ve watched enough “Lockup” to know it’s close to accurate. I’m also pretty sure less than 1.3 percent of NFL quarterbacks have tattoos. There’s a reason for that. NFL quarterback is the ultimate position of influence and responsibility. He is the CEO of a high-profile organization, and you don’t want your CEO to look like he just got paroled.”

Seems to me Whitley has reached an unfair conclusion about Colin Kaepernick and his tattoos. Frankly I don’t think Whitley was so much making a racial comment, as some have said, as much as he is clearly out of touch with this generation of athletes. And for that matter with the perception average people have about tattoos.
As a mother and a grandmother I won’t pretend to understand the fascination with body art. But I’m old enough to understand that every generation looks for ways to identify themselves and separate themselves from their parents and elders.
To say that Colin Kaepernick doesn’t represent his position in the NFL well because he has chosen to have tattoos placed on his body, seems more about creating controversy, something this article has certainly accomplished for Whitley.
But his parents, Rick and Teresa Kaepernick, who adopted him when he was five weeks old, have his back. Read the USA Today article, “Tattoos but a fraction of Colin Kaepernick’s story”.
“We were so lucky to get Colin,” Teresa says. “It’s the smartest thing we ever did. We get this really perfect child. It blows me away to think that we’re so fortunate.”

Femmefans and football fans we are fast approaching the end of the regular season.
With only 5 games left for 30 teams (4 for the Saints and the Falcons), this week’s slate has important playoff implications.
I am making my bold “The Crystal Ball Says” week 13 picks below. I am also providing links (below) to picks made by Barabara Bruno, Huffington Post and the ESPN Experts.

As a Forty Niners season ticket holder for the last 15 years, I am riding high this season. Last season wasn’t bad either. Good things do come to those who wait, and wait, and wait.
We should have expected Harbaugh to kick the tires on Number Seven. Now that he has kicked the tires, and sees that the reliable Chevy, Smith, can still run but needs a little time to warm up and may not be able to shift into fourth gear, but that Kap goes from 0-60 in no time flat, well, the brand new sports car is going to get the nod.

The opportunity to try out the new wheels came when Alex suffered a concussion in the Rams game. In came “Kap” and he rallied the team getting them in position to win the game in OT. The “Kid” looked good in his first “up at bat”.
Serendipity was on Harbaugh’s side. Alex wasn’t able to shake off the concussion symptoms for the next game against the Bears.

If Chicks Ran the NFL is the place for fun and insightful ideas from all Female Fans.
2011, yet another season of of fun, food, booze and big bodies colliding.
What can be better than that?

This week I am making my picks and leaving it at that because I want to tell you about New Orleans and the object of their affection, the Saints.
I though that by now the city and the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina would be restored and life would be normal again.
It is sad to say that in this great county of ours, with all the riches we possess and in spite of the hard work of many wonderful, humane and compassionate people, things are still not back to normal in New Orleans.
But, there is one positive in New Orleans, the love affair the City of New Orleans has with its team, the Saints.
The Saints did not reach the Super Bowl in 2006 and yet to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

Back in May of 2001 I wrote a story about beer and broads.
It was perhaps my most popular story and men as well as women enjoyed debating the topic.
Almost ten years later, women, and more specifically, young, female, sports fans, are the object of the beer industry’s affection.
I felt it was time to review what has happened in the last nine years.

Now we have a new generation of women, women who enjoy a pint or two. They are young, beautiful, vibrant and sexy. They are the new generation of female sports fans.
Men and women alike are enjoying some of the same sports “pleasures” and activities heretofore the exclusive domain of men. Men and women can place bets on big games over at gamebookers.com

Picture this, the year is 1970, two women are sitting at a bar, they spot a nice looking man bellying-up to the bar. They exchange glances and tell the bartender they want to buy him a drink.
Sound plausible? In the year 2001 yes, in 1970, hell no.

“Football is no longer a man’s sport,” said Twan Russell, Director of Youth and Community Programs. “Young women across South Florida are competing on the gridiron scoring touchdowns and learning life skills that only just thirteen year ago was exclusively for boys. The Dolphins are proud to continue to host this exciting clinic for youth development.”

Several months ago I was contacted by Aine Power. She was working on a research paper on female fans of male dominated sports for FIFA. I offered my opinion and some of my comments can be found in the research paper (although the spelled my last name Rocco not Ricco).
If you are interested in the way women feel about sports that have been considered the male domain, will find this research paper interesting.
It does support some of my early obesrvations, that women do not fit the stereotype the sports industry would like to use, it is much easier to sell to male fans than to women fans. Women can not be plugged into beer and boobs promos quite so easily. The whole PINK THING sports apparel idea the NFL started was beyond ridiclous and has been soundly repudiated by true female fans.
Check out the most recent stories on female fans below (click links). Seems as if female fans are now being regarded as vital and relevant. I knew that all along people!!
Ivette Ricco

Who’s Got It Better Than Us! (listen to it here)
Some Niners fan and rapper dude by the name of Bailey came up with this little tune. Now I am not a fan of rap, but I am a passionate Niners fan. My first thought was, oh no, some nasty rap tune that will make me cringe. But as it turns out Bailey has written a catchy little tune that is G rated and expresses the excitement and team spirit Jim Harbaugh has brought to this team and to its fans this season.
With the NFC West clinched it is now up to the Niners to keep Fred P Soft at bay. The New Orleans Saints are one game behind in the conference and can land the #2 seed if the Niners get sloppy.
Their post season starts this Sunday in Arizona.
Go Niners!

Sundays are just not the same. I don’t jump out of bed and turn on ESPN, the NFL Network, or Fox. “The Boys” on Fox are my favorites.
No Sundays just aren’t the same without NFL action.
Some fans seem content to fill their sports void with basketball and baseball.
But I find that these sports pale in comparison to American Football.
Where’s the excitement, where’s the physical presence, where’s the non-stop action? Where’s the – every play – every game counts – do – or – die mentality?
No these games just don’t do it for me.

Drafting NFL players, what was once a necessity for coaches, players, general mangers and the most die hard of fans has become a media event.
The NFL leads all sports leagues with aggressive and yes, the creative marketing and promotion of its product.
The NFL network is a 365 fix for the NFL junkie.
I envision a time in the not too distant future when the NFL network will control every game played and thus control the revenue generated by the current and traditional revenue stream known as the commercial networks.

Top bingo sites come with their top bonuses to entice their players to keep on playing. With this kind of opportunity, a wise bingo player can almost play her game for free and collect bingo money as much as she can.

Notre Dame has moved up in the BCS rankings all year long, and after Saturday’s win against Wake Forest, beating them 38-0, the Fighting Irish is the only team that has not been defeated. Oregon lost against Stanford in overtime, and Kansas State lost against Baylor, leaving Notre Dame as the only undefeated team. If any critics had any doubts about the Irish, wondering if they deserved to be ranked so high in the standings, wondering if they deserved to be considered for the BCS championship game, Saturday’s win should have convinced them, improving to 11-0 for the first time since 1989.

I haven’t been exactly hibernating, but I have been very busy with my life away from femmefan.com
September ushers in Indian Summer, fall colors, fresh crisp smells and my favorite time of year, it’s football time baby!
Time to stock the fridge with game time goodies, chips, dips, wine, beer, cheese and crackers.
It’s the time of year my family knows to leave me the heck alone as I go through my Sunday (and Thursday and Monday) game day rituals. Turn on the TV, go to every network that has NFL news, updates, games, etc on it.

You may wonder when you see the occasional story on the news why star athletes, in the prime of their lives and making a fortune, risk losing it all over a few simple games. Well, unfortunately the history of bad gambling decisions suggests that many athletes are almost pre-disposed to playing casino games –

The Miami Dolphins are making a statement and it is very positive one.
Since 1997 they have been hosting the Girls High School Flag Football Jamboree.
No other team has a similar program.
On March 31 over 400 female athletes participated in the Girls High School Flag Jamboree in Davie, Florida.