My son is at a great disadvantage. I am not a sports fanatic; Never have been, never will be. We don’t watch sports on TV, and I’ve never sat and watched a whole football game…..ever. I get to watch the Super Bowl commercials on the Internet the next day.

I moved to the US at the age of 16. I remember the car ride from the San Francisco airport to my brother’s place clearly. He asked me if I knew anything about American Football, or Baseball. I quickly replied that I knew the basics, but wasn’t interested in the games (Soccer was my sport). He said, in no nonsense terms, "you’d better learn". His advice was spot on. Over the years I have found myself as an outsider in many "guy" conversations because my lack of knowledge in the sports department. I fear I may have passed my I-could-take-it-or-leave-it sports attitude on to my son.

I’ve seen fathers "toss the old pigskin" in their yards with their kids and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel pangs of guilt every time. I do, however, make up for my shortcoming in other respects. I make memories with my kids in other ways. I’ve helped my son build pinewood derby cars, gone camping with his cub scout troop, baked him birthday cakes with his favorite characters for decorations, and even sewed one-of-a-kind Halloween costumes for him. Here are a few examples. My son still remembers things we’ve done together from several years ago. They’ve been permanently etched in his memory.

If you were hailed as a sports hero at your Alma Mater, cherish those memories of yesteryear because they are yours, but be sure to make memories with your kids today so they may cherish them tomorrow.