It’s been a week since Alabama’s football team claimed the sport’s top prize. I think my heart is still pounding.

Sure, I’ve lived through stressful games in the past – remember the second point-after kick in The Swamp in 1999? – but there was something even more nerve racking knowing the national title was on the line.

I had great intentions to calmly watch the game at home. It was unrealistic to think I would sit through the game without getting too excited, but I was going to make an effort.

And I did. At least through the first half. In the third quarter, however, when things started turning around in Texas’ favor, I couldn’t just sit and watch the game anymore.

“I’m going outside,” I said.

Greg just looked at me.

“You do know it’s really, really cold out there, don’t you?” he said.

I did know it was cold but I had to get away.

Donning my coat and putting on some tennis shoes, I went outside, taking care to avoid the ice on the driveway.

Boy, was it cold.

I walked the short way down the driveway and then down the sidewalk.

Man, it was really, really cold.

“This is foolish,” I thought to myself. “I’m freezing myself because of a football game.”

I turned around and headed back inside. I made it back into the living room just in time to see Texas pull within 3 points.

“I’m going to sit in the car,” I said.

Grabbing a blanket, (I do learn from my mistakes) I went and sat in the car in the garage. No television, no radio, no news at all.

I sat there for what seemed like forever. Finally, Greg popped his head through the door.

“You can come back in now,” he said. “You all just recovered a fumble on the three yard line.”

I went back inside, just in time to see Alabama score. And then score again.

The championship was secure and, for the first time in hours, my stomach unclenched.

“We did it! We did it! We did it!,” I yelled, neglecting the fact that I actually had done nothing at all other than watch the game.

I’ve already ordered my copy of the championship game on DVD and I can’t wait to watch it. After all, I can now watch the third and fourth quarter without being too nervous.

Maybe.

– Leada Gore is publisher and editor of The Hartselle Enquirer. Her column appears each Wednesday.