Got Me Covered

Here are two things you may or may not know about me.

First, I am not a sports fan. I could care less about any college or pro sport. The only football game I watch is the superbowl and then it’s really about the ads. And hanging around with friends who have a lot of food. Oh, I might watch a few minutes of a football or baseball or hockey game from time to time, but that’s really about it.

And I have certainly never planned a day around watching televised sports (with the above exception of the Superbowl).

Second, I am a hat wearer. I love hats. Or pretty much any headwear, really.

I am considering trying to get a job on the medevac helicopter just so I can get the cool helmet.

I even have a rather expensive Stetson Fedora that I wear when I’m dressed up and the weather is bad. And I’m telling you, having a dry mellon and water-free glasses is great.

Now onto the story.

In my last job I traveled extensively and the part that I enjoyed most was working in the dental schools. I covered 26 schools and used to make it a point to buy a School of Dentistry hat from as many of the school stores as I could.

At home I would wear different hats and cycle through some favorites. I have a Harvard hat, Iowa, West Virginia University, University of Louisville, Boston University, University of Kentucky and a few others.

Lately I’ve been wearing the UK hat. I like the way it fits and it’s a jaunty royal blue.

A couple of weeks ago I was at the Kroger formerly known as Farmer Jacks doing my grocery shopping with The Peanut and wearing my UK hat when an elderly gentleman in a suit and car coat walked up, put his hand on my arm and said “school X didn’t have any mercy yesterday, did they?”

My mouth opened and I could feel the blank look on my face as I said “Excuse me?”

“Your hat” he said. “192 Million to 3 in the game yesterday.”

I pulled the hat off, prepared to explain why I was wearing a UK hat. I think he could see that I had a story and wasn’t really a fan. He just wandered off.

I felt really bad. This guy was hoping to find a friend while his wife was checking out the canned goods. And he runs into me, a guy in a hat who could really care less about football. Poor guy.

And every time we passed one another in an aisle I felt bad.

I know that it’s not my fault, nor was it his. But there are times when I feel bad about disappointing perfect strangers.

Why do you suppose that is?

Now hit me with your stories.