It’s Sunday Night and he sits in front of the television, ready to watch his Cardinals play.  He sends his friends text messages, reminding them to watch the game and boasting how good his team will perform. He holds his breath as his team gets set for the kickoff. As soon as the ball leaves the tee he releases it and readies himself for the game commencing.

Junior Noah Carpenter considers himself an Arizona Cardinals’ fan.   Carpenter wasn’t a Cardinals fan until last year, when they made it to the Super Bowl.  Even though they lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 27-23, he remains a loyal fan.

“They have all my favorite athletes like Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner,” Carpenter said. “He took them to the Super Bowl. It was just a very inspirational story.  That’s why I love them.”

According to Carpenter, when his team is performing well and creating big plays, he jumps off of his couch and acclaims in happiness.  He dances and occasionally brings his parents in to show them the previous play. However, when his team isn’t performing well, he gets frustrated.

“I’m a very emotional football watcher so sometimes I get very upset and I yell.  I scream at the T.V. but I don’t know why, it doesn’t have the power to change what happened,” Carpenter said.

Teacher Brandon Austin is a devoted Dallas Cowboy fan who hasn’t missed a game since 1992.  Like Carpenter, Austin has ways of expressing his emotions and feelings during the game.  If the Cowboys begin to fall behind, he and his child will change from the current Cowboys attire they were wearing into different Cowboys attire in hopes of turning things around for their team.

“If your team is losing, it’s your fault,” Austin said.  “If you’re not watching, then of course something special will happen.  It makes you feel like you’re part of the game.  Everyone has weird superstitions; it’s just the way we all are.”

Austin’s sports obsession goes farther than just watching the games.  He has bought over $500 of Cowboys merchandise, including, socks, hats, shirts, slacks and jerseys.  Austin also has a fantasy football team, which he spends 45 minutes a day on and all day on Sundays.  Sometimes his fantasy players, along with his fellow Cowboys mess up. Occasionally, Austin gets angry and takes out his frustration.

“I had a hundred dollar Romo fathead that I got mad at last year so I ripped it up and threw it in the trash,” Austin said.

Austin’s most memorable sports moment came on a Thanksgiving game between the Cowboys and the Kansas City Chiefs at the former Cowboy’s Stadium.  Austin sat in the first row, around the corner of the end zone.  As the Chief’s players were heading into the locker rooms during halftime. Austin decided to support his Cowboys and give them a piece of his mind.  One of the Chief’s players retaliated at him in frustration and anger, bringing Austin satisfaction.

“It was like Christmas morning,” Austin said. “I always want to get under somebody’s skin. It’s just who I am and what I do.  When that Chief’s player started beating his helmet and basically cussing at me it was one of the finest moments of my life.”