I'm about to commit the cardinal sin of a sports fan. I'm jumping the bandwagon - this Sunday I'm cheering for the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
If you're an avid sports fan like me, I ask you to spare the public flogging.
First off, I am a hockey fan first and foremost. No team comes close to the commitment I have for my beloved Vancouver Canucks.
Hockey is my No. 1 sport and football is No. 2, closely followed by anything with a ball that doesn't start with the word 'basket.' I estimate I watch about 76 out of the 82 Canucks games, not to mention hours of mindless stats surfing.
I only miss a game if it's absolutely critical to my survival - such as work, family birthdays (although I'll always advocate for a restaurant with big screens and sound), or my anniversary (actually, I made sure to schedule the wedding past mid-June in case of a potential Cup run).
Whereas with football, I'll catch around 12 out of 16 matches and simply keep track of the headlines.
In other words, this bandwagon hop shouldn't kill me, I hope.
Now here's the twist: Since 1997 - when I was in high school - I've been a fan of the Denver Broncos, the Seahawks' opponent.
I was initially enamoured by the likes of John Elway, Terrell Davis and Ed McCaffery, as well as the renegade coaching style of Mike Shanahan.
I was also compelled to cheer against the insufferable Oakland Raiders, the favourite team of my best friend, who around this time unforgivably ditched the Canucks during the darkness of the Messier era.
Since then, I've admonished him for jumping the wagon; You have to defend your backyard.
I should also mention I'm a Lions, Whitecaps and Blue Jays fan.
But now, I see the light. Testify! For too long now, I've associated myself with a football club that I had little connection with once all my favourite players left.
New players and coaches brought different styles of play. And as the Raiders have proven a perennial disaster some of the jazz of rooting for the Broncos has diminished. More importantly I am not in touch with the football culture in Denver.
Now Seattle is not my city per se but it's close enough that I can attend games and watch local broadcasts. Over the last five years I have followed the Broncos and Seahawks equally.
It was likely a bit easier on my guilty philandering conscience because they're in different conferences.
But at this crossroad I turn a page.
How do you not respect Marshawn Lynch? Is there a better, more positive coach than Pete? Russell Wilson? Love him. And, yes, Richard Sherman is the best corner in the league.
I connect with the Seahawks culture and the 12th man, an incredible tradition that puts the atmosphere at Rogers Arena to shame. I also feel a bit less guilty jumping ship from the "favourites" to the "underdogs."
And, win or lose, I'm just happy to watch the Super Bowl since there's no Canucks game on that night.
