NFL Lockout: 10 Things NFL Fans Can Do During the Lockout

Well, it's been a while, football fans.

The NFL lockout has been going on since March 11 and although there are rumors of the lockout ending soon, there are also rumors that it may still be a while until the collective bargaining agreement is restructured.

Via ESPN:

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"Sources on both sides maintain there remains significant work to be completed after negotiations almost disintegrated last week before 'getting back on track.' The same sources say that an agreement is within reach but unlikely to be achieved this week."

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The truth is, nothing is final until it is, and there's no telling right now whether the owners and players will come to an agreement anytime soon.

So, we can either sit here as loyal NFL fans and count how many days of lockout there have been, or we can get up off the couch, stretch and go have some fun while we're waiting.

After all, we do have lives outside of football, don't we?

I can understand you're bitter; I can understand you can't sleep at night; but what's the best way to stick it to "the man," folks?

Why, go have fun, of course.

Leave "the man" in court, and go out and celebrate life during summer.

Here are 10 things NFL fans can do during the lockout.

10. Build a Field of Dreams

We all remember the classic baseball movie, Field of Dreams.

Well, apparently NFL players remember it, too, because several NFL stars just came out with an NFL lockout parody complete with Twilight star Taylor Lautner.

In the new FunnyOrDie.com spoof, Lautner plays the part of Kevin Costner, but this time building a football stadium for all the NFL players to come play at.

It's time to build that dream field you've always been dreaming of. It's time.

No need to risk your house on the venture like Kevin Costner did in the original classic, but even making a small field for you and your friends to play at would be fun.

And if random NFL players want to randomly come out of the cornfield and join you, then, well, all the better.

9. Follow NFL Stars off the Field

Plenty of NFL stars are already finding other things to do while the NFL is in lockout mode. Some start record labels, some develop their Twitter accounts, some find any way possible to get on camera and some yell at NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

In fact, as uneventful as training camps have been (given, well, there aren't any right now), the only thing we can really do is follow our favorite stars off the field.

Some of them are actually pretty entertaining if you give them a chance.

Go ahead, keep tabs on what NFL players are doing.

Some of them will surprise you.

Or won't.

That's Tennessee Titans receiver Kenny Britt in the picture, as if he needed any introduction.

8. Tweet

What's one of the easiest ways to get in touch with NFL stars or vent your NFL lockout frustrations these days?

No, not by telegram.

Via Twitter, of course—the world where you can say anything you want in 140 characters or less and everybody will hold it against you.

Go ahead, yell at the owners, yell at the players; it doesn't matter beneath your fake Twitter account.

"Reply," "Retweet," or simply flag someone for tweeting something obnoxious.

If you want the NFL to feel your wrath, it's time to take to Twitter, football fans.

Make sure you tweet at least 100 times to your favorite athlete, too, if you want him to respond to you.

Also, make sure you "follow" free-agent receiver Chad Ochocinco; he tends to tweet the wildest things.

Speaking of Chad Ochocinco...

7. Challenge Chad Ochocinco to a Game of Bull Riding

That's right, you heard me right NFL fans: bull riding.

NFL free-agent receiver Chad Ochocinco has not only challenged his coach Marvin Lewis to a cage match—he's also played soccer and actually rode a bull during the offseason so far.

There's nothing like a friendly game of bull riding to let off some steam.

Just make sure you fare better than Ochocinco did.

I could have sworn his life flashed before his eyes when he fell to the ground and was at the mercy of that bull.

6. Pretend You're Stars in a Real NFL Game

Remember when you were a kid and you and your buddies would pretend you were Joe Montana or Jerry Rice or Terrell Owens?

OK, that last one doesn't fit, but you know what I mean.

How fun was it to catch a touchdown pass as a "football star" and do the moonwalk while your friends looked at you in disgust?

Or high-step after an interception like Deion Sanders?

Or make a tackle like Ray Lewis?

Don't forget that you are the stars of the NFL, football fans.

Without you, there would be no football.

It's time to start acting the part on the football field.

5. Take Your Flag Football Gear out of the Garage

One of my favorite moments as a child growing up was playing flag football, when you weren't quite big enough to play tackle football but were still developing that competitive drive.

This was a time where you could flaunt your skills of being able to soar through the air and rip off someone's flag...and then throw their flag off the field when they thought they had already been disgraced enough.

You could showboat in the end zone without worrying somebody twice your size would make you pay with a bone-crushing hit the next drive.

Ah yes, those were the days...

Well, I have news for you, football fans: You can still play flag football as your body begins to go downhill.

So get out those red and yellow flags, and have a little fun out there.

4. Protest

Don't forget, football fans.

You make the NFL happen, too.

Protest outside NFL headquarters with signs. Write letters to Commissioner Goodell. Tweet to millionaires that they may be struggling financially, but you can't afford to buy a new football.

Say your part. You're just as much a part of the game as athletes and owners in luxury suites are.

Vent. You've deserved it.

3. Stare at TV and Imagine a Game's Going on

OK, this is borderline lunacy, but if it helps you get through the day, then go right ahead.

Nobody will judge you.

Especially NFL fans.

It will be like honoring the game in silence...for hours (make sure you add in the commercials).

2. Eat a Turkey Leg and Thank God You Aren't Watching the Detroit Lions

Every Thanksgiving, it's a custom around America to watch some football while dining on turkey, gravy, mashed potatoes, turkey and gravy (yes, I know I said those two things twice).

The only problem is, it's always the Detroit Lions we're watching, who are generally horrible (sorry, Lions fans, it had to be said).

Up until the second half of last season, the Lions were a bottom-feeding team, mired in years of mediocrity. They would always play some random team, and always get destroyed.

If you weren't a Lions fan, it was hard to watch.

If you were a Lions fan, it spoiled your Thanksgiving.

Lose-lose for everybody.

FYI: the Lions lost to the New England Patriots last Thanksgiving, 45-24.

1. Post "Wanted" Posters of Roger Goodell Around the Neighborhood

When it comes to lockouts in professional sports, it's almost always the commissioners that take the brunt of the backlash from fans.

This NFL lockout is no exception.

I'd actually be surprised if this hasn't already been done, but commissioner Roger Goodell is already a villain in fans' eyes. You may as well start posting "Wanted" fliers all around the neighborhood offering a reward for anyone who convinces Goodell to end this lockout once and for all.

And no, NFL fans, don't post "Wanted" fliers offering a reward for the capture of Goodell. That's just going too far.

Note: After writing this slide, I found a "Wanted" sign for Goodell already. Look for it to circulate nationwide.