NFL, Merry Christmas, and Pass The Football!

Ah, it's that time of the year again.

And yes, it's also that time of the year.

But for football fans, it doesn't matter if your team is first, third, or even last, people seem to behave better, around the holidays.

Even the ones who are proud to show their color, will stop and chat it up a bit, with other fans, like a couple brothers in the backyard having a barbecue.

On a recent trip to Wal-Mart, my first encounter was with a Cowboy fan. He seemed to be towing a hyper five year old, who wanted to go check out Thomas the tank engine.

Then, according to dad, go find Tony Romo's jersey at the mall.

When asked about the game Sunday, he chuckled, and mentioned, "I hope we can pull it off. He won't have a career game, but hopefully gut out enough of a game to win it."

After mentioning Romo and Owens on the fantasy league team, he also chuckled, and said, "I wouldn't start Romo...Owens might surprise for a TD."

Circling around the store, you'd run into all sorts of fans. Some the basic hand-me-downs look, of Raiders, Broncos, Eagles, or Chiefs fans, to the more dedicated fans, dressed out with Packers coats, Patriots coat, or even the Cowboys hat, etc., most were pleasant to talk to.

Even one, I had worked with in the past, known simply as Mr. Bronco, wished me a Merry Christmas, after trading jibes on how the Broncos should finish their own work, instead of relying on other teams.

His reply, was "When will the Raider fans go lock Al Davis in a closet somewhere and stamp on it, don't open until Easter?"

If only we had the combination to the luxury box, Matt.

Probably the best visit came at our last stop. Now granted, I'm standing out with a Raiders hat, scarf, gloves, coat, with a little pink four year old daughter, and holding a Princess Birthday Cake (Angel's party is today). While standing in line, an older couple stood behind us in line, and we started chatting about the season, and how things haven't been exactly rosy. Looking back, both were decked out Packers fans, die-hards born in Wisconsin, who moved here about 35 years ago.

And willing to spoil Angel with a couple suckers, for her birthday party.

It's a nice feeling, for this holiday season, for the fans, and for us all, to enjoy the time we have.

And then scream like crazy tomorrow at the game.

Merry Christmas from the Budd family.