More Than A Sports Group

Trigger warning: I talk about some stuff that some folks may not be comfortable with

regarding mental health. I also use the word ‘fucking’ more than once as some things cannot

be sufficiently described without it.

I've been a Steelers fan for a long time. So long that were I to start talking about how long it

would start with the words “Back in my day we didn't have…” and I'd probably wave my

walking stick. Following the NFL back then could be quite a lonesome path for a number of

reasons. Not readily available for viewing (you kids don't know how lucky you have it

nowadays), the old classic ‘rugby for girls’ and unless it was the Raiders, Redskins, Dolphins

or Bears no one really knew any other teams. So it was pretty tough finding other folk who

were interested beyond my mate who was a Fins fan (we love our friends for their flaws as

well as their strengths) and over the years I've met NFL fans of other teams who I'm happy

to call friends but I'd never met another Steelers fan.

I stumbled upon the group eight years ago and I hate how fucking clichéd it sounds but it

changed my life. I'll even go as far as saying that this group has saved my life. Probably

more than once.

For a long time I've struggled with my mental health and for a long time I didn't know it. In

fact I didn't know it until I was working my pub shift and chatting with regulars while in my

head I was trying to figure a way of ending it without causing people any inconvenience.

Surprisingly there aren't many ways to do this as something like that is going to

inconvenience someone a great fucking deal. This was all going on in my head as if I was

figuring out what to have for tea. This caused me to think that something wasn't right. On a

side note you may notice that I may under exaggerating some things now and again. Mainly

because the way to make terrifying things not so terrifying is to make them seem less. Also

because I'm English and catastrophic occurrences are referred to as mild inconveniences.

Realising something wasn't right started me on a long and super fucking bumpy road. I'm still on the road and I always will be because my brain hates me. I have an alarm set to brush

my teeth in the morning because when I'm at my lowest it's a very basic thing that I won't do

because it seems like a massive thing. I have a post work routine for when I'm at home

because if I don't follow it things will pile up and then it all goes tits up. These are just two of

the many things I have in place to keep me on track. Keeping on track is hard.

The group has kept me on track more than once whether the people in it have known or not.

Two lockdowns, family issues, relationship issues and just times where everything got a bit

too much. I've made friends that I never knew I needed. The other admins have been an

absolute rock at times and have always been there whether it was to offer support or give

me needed space. I've had many downs (including an incident with my good friend bourbon,

a myriad of pills and a visit to the hospital) that I wouldn't have made it through without the

people who I've met through this group. Some I'm still yet to meet in person. (I thoroughly

believe that if I met Laura in person I would be less cocky towards her than I am in the chat

because she'll probably scare me). But others I've drank with, been to gigs with, eaten with

and drank with.

It's one of the reasons I'm so protective of the group because I know what it is beyond a

place to talk about the sport of colonial hand egg. It's a community. And a community I'm

proud of. Over the years I've seen members reach out to each other for a myriad of reasons

whether it's a friendly ear, hunting down elusive merch or somewhere to grab a drink and

watch a game with other members. We've raised thousands for a number of charities,

demanded dog photos, and bonded over that third quarter where everything is going wrong

by talking about food. The aim has been to build a positive, safe place whoever you are.

Even if you're a kicker. And I believe that's what we have.

My main point is that if you're in this group, you aren't alone. There will always be someone

willing to listen if you need it. No matter what it is. Not talking is the worse thing you can do

and thinking you've got to do something alone is fucking hard. I'm fully aware how hard it is

to ask for someone to listen but it's not as hard as going it alone.

There's good people out there and we're lucky enough to have a whole bunch of them in this

little community we've all built.

Peace out.