After Further Review: Meet Kim O'Hara, New TFG Associate Editor/Blogger

By: Kim O'Hara | Posted: August 15, 2012

There’s only one Sunday in my life I can recall rooting for a team other than the Pittsburgh Steelers… and it may have been Super Bowl XXX against the Dallas Cowboys.  In my defense, I was ten and was slightly upset with my father (who grew up in Pittsburgh and loves few things as much as the Steelers) at the moment. Yikes. The decision to abandon my family team shames me to this day – how could I be so mean to my own dad?! 

I’ve been a sports fan as long as I can remember; early memories involve my mother screaming at the TV in support of University of Arizona basketball or my father excusing himself early from Sunday dinner to catch ESPN’s “Prime Time”.  Being raised in a sports home with no brothers had its perks for us all:  my father had someone to talk football with (as long as I wasn’t rooting for the Cowboys), my mother had a companion who also enjoyed listening to basketball on the internet, and my sister and I were taught an earnest love of sports.

My love of the NFL first earned me the prestigious role of Football Translator to female friends.  Although it was pro bono work (unless you count beer as compensation), I felt enormous gratification discussing even the most basic talking points with my friends.  It occurred to me there were many women with a sincere interest in learning about the game, not just hoping to impress the hot guy across the bar.  (Although, c’mon.  Always fun to drop knowledge on an unsuspecting guy.) 

Despite my humble beginnings, I’ve gone on to contribute with ESPN the Magazine and produce videos and live stage shows for New York-based sports comedy group 12 Angry Mascots.  While covering red carpets, conducting phone interviews and rehearsing deliciously absurd skits with professional athletes, my love for the NFL has grown and broadened. 

Do I want to know stats and strengths of thirty-two offenses and defenses?  Absolutely, I do.  How else will I win my fantasy leagues this year?  I also want to explore the humanity of the game.  Your favorite NFL player may also be the funniest guy in the locker room; a player you can’t stand might be passionate about a charitable cause you also support.  It’s tough to tell when they’re out on the gridiron, but these guys are often unique, interesting people off the field.

So that brings us to the here and now.  I can’t wait to kick off TFG’s news and information blog, After Further Review.  You can expect me to discuss all kinds of current events, Tebow and non-Tebow, from my own perspective.  I’ll be as unbiased as humanly possible (even toward Baltimore and New England), but you’re not always going to agree with me. Sometimes you’ll even think I’m out of my mind.  In those instances, please call me out in the comments section.  What good is developing a football community for us ladies if we can’t all share our opinions and talk things out?  Just don’t try talking me out of my Pittsburgh fandom.  That’s not going to happen… as long as I’m getting along with my dad, anyway.

Thanks for reading.  I look forward to sharing the upcoming season with you!

Kim O'Hara is the Assocate Editor of TheFootballGirl.com. She is an avid fan of sports in general, but the NFL in particular. She has also been a contributor to ESPN the Magazine. Follow her on Twitter: @arahomik

Write a comment

• Required fields are marked with *.

Name:
Email:
Subject:
Comment: *

Help prevent spam - enter security code above:
 

Kreeder
Posts: 1

Good luck!
Reply #1 on : Fri August 17, 2012, 06:50:04

---

Can't wait to read your blogs! Good luck with your new venture!