In the last two years I have only watched a game out of politeness because it was on at some friends house
Same here - my sister-in-law's husband is a hopeless NFL addict. A few weeks ago, I had to stifle a comment while we were visiting there - he'd received an e-mail telling him that he'd finally made it to the top of the season tickets waiting list.
He was elated, but at the same time confused to see tickets available in *all* levels of the stadium. My wife gave shot me a meaningful look (which I interpreted as "Don't pee in the punchbowl...") and rolled her eyes at his cluelessness.