Ways You Know It's Football Season

I'm guessing that you're not living on some secluded island away from the mainstream, and, because of that, I have a hunch that you know it's football season.

And as we've probably all done the past few weekends, sitting in mesh shorts watching every game we can, there are some tell-tale signs that the sport is back in full swing.

What are some of the hints?

Keep reading and you'll know exactly why the best time of the year is now—because football season is back.

Seahawks Blue Friday

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As someone who has lived in Seattle for a couple football seasons now, I’ve seen Seahawks fans flock to work in their gear every single Friday in preparation of the weekend’s game.

And while the 12th Man is one of the rowdiest fanbases on the planet, there is no shortage of other NFL supporters around the country that do the same thing—by showing their love for their favorite team during the last day of the work week.

Painting Your Face (And No One Laughs at You)

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A grown man with his face painted isn’t typically a look that is seen too often, but during football season, it’s prominent amongst even the manliest of men.

The best part about this? Well, no one even blinks an eye, as it’s just another way to show your favorite team some real support—and it’s not permanent like a tattoo is.

Face paint is something that never goes out of style during the season.

Brady vs. Manning

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In case you didn’t know, Peyton Manning and Tom Brady are pretty familiar with one another.

On top of being two of the most successful quarterbacks over the past 15 years, they’ve also developed quite a rivalry thanks to their teams meeting 15 times since 2001.

Football season might not kickoff with these two going head-to-head, but make no mistake, the season always features the future Hall of Famers on the same field—so mark your schedules for November 2 this year!

Smack Talk

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For all those who have a fantasy football team, smack talk has already been in your life for the past month or so since your league drafted.

And that’s just the first sign that football is back!

Whether fans actually go to games, hit up a bar to watch one on TV or simply just text their buddies each weekend, there will be tons of smack talk going on about one another’s favorite football or fantasy football team.

Tailgating

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Sure, tailgating happens during other sporting events—sometimes—but nobody does it better than football fans.

With jerseys on and coolers of beer in hand, when parking lots are filled with tons of people tailgating, that’s when football is officially back. Just make sure to get there early for a good spot in line for food.

Fresh Ink

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If there's one thing that convinces sports fans to do some really dumb stuff, it's the start of football season.

While we're all hopeful that our favorite teams will compete and have a chance to win the Super Bowl, some people take things to the extreme, getting permanent ink of things that may or may not happen.

I love the ballsy support, but couldn't they have just made a friendly prediction rather than get tatted up?

Seeing Longtime Friends (Tailgate Buddies You Don’t Talk to Otherwise)

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While you have your good friends who actually come to the game and sit next to you inside the stadium, for those who have a regular tailgating spot in the parking lot, there are friends who are only seen or talked to during football season.

Swapping stories of years past and trading food for beers, these people might only be known by nicknames, but they're some of the most loyal people you know—even if you do only see them eight times every year for home games.

This Will Become Acceptable Soon

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Simply put, guys going shirtless in the summer: absolutely acceptable.

Guys going shirtless in the winter, when sub-freezing temperatures occur? Not so acceptable—accept when they're doing it in a football stadium surrounded by 60,000 other fanatics.

Sports make us do a lot of crazy things, and, for better or worse, seeing guys' skin during mid-Decemeber is one of those things.

You're Spending Lots of Time Playing Video Games

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It's no secret that sports fans just can't get enough of their favorite video games.

And while sitting on the couch all day with a controller in your hand trying to win the Super Bowl might be more appropriate during the winter months, fans start doing it once Madden is released every August, getting themselves prepped for another football season.

I wouldn't be surprised if some people reading this have already gotten through three seasons in Franchise mode by now, to be honest.

Wedding Season Ends

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Sports has a way of stopping time, don't they?

While we all love going to weddings every single weekend from March until Labor Day weekend, it's ironic that the season of getting hitched ends right as the football season begins.

OK, so maybe it's more about the weather not being as great following early September, but I'd like to think it has a little bit to do with the gridiron being back.

Vacations Are Planned Around Big Games

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Just as you and your buddies plan trips to Vegas for bachelor parties or to the beach with family members, football fans mark their calendars for one thing—the big games.

Don't think for a minute that people didn't request the last week of November off in order to see the rematch between the Auburn Tigers and the rival Alabama Crimson Tide—especially after seeing how last year's game ended.

It might seem a bit childish to take trips solely for seeing one's favorite team, but screw it—let the haters hate!

Fantasy Football Takes Up Work Hours

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Ever been sitting in the office or in class and found yourself passing the time by debating whether trading Adrian Peterson for Calvin Johnson is fair or not?

Yeah, I might not have had that specific trade possibility come up, but I’ve definitely had days where 20 minutes updating my team has turned into a couple of hours.

Was I productive in my work? Hell no.

But did my fantasy team improve? You bet it did.

Sweatpants Saturday

OK, so this might be a video of New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski campaigning to become the Madden cover boy last year, but I think you get the idea—sweatpants Saturday is exactly like Gronk's routine here.

What does it mean?

Simply put, it's when football fans wake up on Saturday and Sunday, grab some food—and in many cases a drink—and do nothing but sit around and watch games all day long.

Of course, if you get a little workout in like Gronk does between games, even better.

Annual Manning Commercials

Whether you love 'em or hate 'em, the Manning Brothers are the annual sign that football is back in full swing.

A marketer's dream, both Peyton and Eli Manning have been featured in commercials thousands of times, but with their second straight DirectTV rap releasing this year, fans were reminded just why having access to football from anywhere is so important.

We might not all be the biggest Peyton and Eli fans around, but they sure do get us all hyped for the upcoming season.