by Bob Andelman

If a stranger ever calls me up and says he wants to talk football, I hope I'm as gracious as the dozens of men and women who sat for the interviews that comprise this book. I enjoyed visiting with each and every one of them.

The twist my research took came at the end of each interview. Each football fan recommended a buddy or two of his who "you gotta talk to." Through these family trees, I spoke with brothers, college pals, fraternity brothers, lifelong friends and living legends.

I am equally indebted to the dozens of nationally renowned psychiatrists, psychologists and sociologists who patiently explained concepts and theories to me. Like the fans, these fellows also enthusiastically pointed me to their counterparts across the nation.

Also giving of their time were the communications directors of many NFL teams. I want to thank them as well as the many fan clubs who provided leads to interesting fans around the country.

The opportunity to write Why Men Love Football came to me through a most circuitous manner. I'd like to thank Rose Grant for recommending me, Barbara Hagen for getting in the midst of things, David J. Wilson and Irene Recio for saying nice things, and the publisher, Trent Angers, for hiring me.

Dan Hughes, a Cleveland native who lives and breathes the Browns, edited the book before I turned in the manuscript. I appreciate your time, good taste and excellent suggestions. But no, we're not going to put a picture of you and Bernie Kosar on the cover.

A stadium full of thanks to Jean Martin MacRae, who kept me on schedule once again by transcribing dozens of hours of tapes. I'd also like to acknowledge the patience and good (if tasteless) humor of her husband, Gary. And to Hal Lipper for going to China this year so I moved up to No. 1 on Jean's client list.

Thanks, too, to my friends at "Trade Secrets": Mike, Lynn & Tyler Culotta, Dale Quimby and Lisa Mular. Also to: Sherry Sacino and Deb Madden; Billy Templeton; Kathy Harrison; Dennis Osborne; Gail DeGeorge; Catherine Duchow; Marilyn McCabe (Rams Booster Club); Dan Ruth (The Big Guava); Gene Starner (Barnes & Noble); Bobby McClendon, Kevin Wylie, Rick Lokey, Teresa Stillman, Debbie Brunner and Andrew Breidenbaugh (Bookstop); George Higby and Judi Holland (B Dalton Bookseller); Andrew Haslam and Ray Hintz (Haslam's); and Sally Wallace, Marion Ballard, Marianne Rucker and Suzie Babcock (Bayboro Books).

The support of family has been invaluable. Mine always backs me in whatever I choose to do and I love them for it: my parents, Phyllis and Richard; my grandmother, Becky Kaplan; my brother, Ira, and his girlfriend, Dawn Patalano; my sister, Lori Parsells; my mother-in-law, Helga Holsten; my sister- and brother-in-law Cathy and Rick Jackson; my nephews, Tony and Terry White; and my biggest fans, Chief, Sandy and Nipper.

When I was growing up in North Brunswick, N.J., I was hardly the best football player in the neighborhood. Perhaps the worst. But I survived and carry a lot of lessons from the experiences, good and bad. Here's to the gang from Farrington Lake: Moose, John, Plinky, Jiggs, Gibb, Dween, David, Jim, Gary, Buzzy, Fred and Robert. Now you're all famous.

One of the best things about being an adult is finding someone who can still bring out the kid in you. I married a woman who not only tolerates sports, she insists on the best seats in the house and monitors the TV schedules so we never miss an important Bucs, Storm, Gators or 'Canes match-up. Guys, you'd be lucky to find another like my wife. Thanks, Mimi.