Jackson Free Press

In Mississippi, you can't escape it. We've got less than 90 days before it dominates talk at home, work and parties.

Football is coming back, and soon everyone will be talking about their favorite high school, college and pro teams. While plenty of women are knowledgeable about the sport (and many have become more so in recent years), some women are still lost when it comes to knowing the difference between a cornerback and quarterback.

If you are wondering a cornerback does, he covers receivers. A quarterback throws the ball to the receivers. Also, a quarterback putting their hands between the legs of the center (the name for a position on the offensive line) is just one way to take a snap to start a play.

The coaches at Jackson State University want to provide some help for these ladies, whether you are a mother wondering what your son is doing on the field, a girlfriend or wife trapped in a relationship as football widow, or an editor wondering if your sports writer is feeding you a load of bull (looking at the best editor in the world, Ronni Mott) about how quarterbacks take a snap.

Gridiron Gals is a one-day program that the coaching staff at Jackson State hold to teach women football. Ladies will spend the day learning about football positions, terminology, safety and more from the Jackson State coaches. Also, ladies will get an inside look behind the scenes of the JSU football program.

The program will teach women about the positions in football, including quarterback, center and cornerback. Ladies will also learn the difference between offensive and defensive tackles.

The program covers football terminology, such as the difference between a 4-3 or 3-4 defense, a spread offense, and terminology such as "shotgun" and "sack."

Learning some basic football knowledge can make the game enjoyable to women. It can help when watching with a boyfriend or husband or while rooting for your child.

Moms will no longer have to lean over and ask someone else in the stands what "little Johnny" is doing on the field. Girlfriends and wives will finally understand why their boyfriends or husbands are screaming in joy or sobbing on the couch in agony.

Ladies won't have to zone out when their husbands and boyfriends start up a conversation about football for the 500th time from August to February. Moms can beam with pride knowing that their son did his job on the field and they knew exactly what that job is.

On-site registration starts at 8 a.m., and the day's activities will end at 4 p.m. with a lunch included, on June 29 at Veterans Memorial Stadium (2531 N State St., 601-354-6021). Cost to attend is $25 and can be paid with a check or money order. Make checks payable to JSU Division of Athletics.

Proper attire for the event is comfortable clothing and, if possible, athletic shoes. Preregister at jsums.edu/gridirongals. For more information or to reserve your spot, call Coach Jonathan Thompson at 601-979-2762.