In February, I watched my first Superbowl.
The New York Giants and the New England Patriots battled it out in a nervy game, which I stayed up late to watch from the comfort of my living room.
I flirted with American football for months after that, but finally became a proper fan on a recent break in Istanbul, where I found myself watching games screened on American sports channels. By the time I returned from holiday, I had caught the NFL bug.
To be honest, it shouldn't be surprising that I have developed an interest in American football as my family has a history with the sport. My dad was one of the avid British fans who watched NFL game highlights on Channel 4 in the early 1980s. My two brothers inherited my dad's passion for the game, and now it seems to have passed on to me.
Sundays have changed in my household, with my boyfriend and I settling down on the sofa to watch a handful of American football games every week. We are not alone though, as the NFL's attempts to market the sport in Britain have led to a 154% rise in viewing figures here since 2006.
American football is essentially a simple sport, as the best sports always are. It is as much about using your brain as it is about brawn, with quarterbacks and coaches working together closely to come up with winning tactics and inventive game plays. My favoured team are The New England Patriots and their quarterback Tom Brady is the NFL's version of David Beckham. Handsome, rich and married to a supermodel, he is also arguably the best quarterback in the league. American football features extreme althleticism, intense rivalry and favourable eye candy – what more could you want from a sport?
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