When it comes to football, I must admit I have been a finicky follower.

I remember how I loved the 1970s Pittsburgh Steelers.

I mean how could you not? My mother taught me this. She is still passionate about her all-time favorite sports team and I have learned not to interfere by asking nuisance questions while they are playing.

Honestly, I think this was the best football team there has ever been or ever will be.

How can you go wrong with Terry Bradshaw as your quarterback?

With players such as Franco Harris, Lynn Swann and John Stallworth? Rocky Bleier, Mike Webster, Jack Lambert, L.C. Greenwood and Jack Ham. Having Chuck Noll for a coach was amazing, as well. I clearly remember watching these games. And I was only 7 or 8 at the time.

I miss them terribly.

Those are my first memories of football. And what an amazing way to be introduced to the game.

Thanks, Mom.

Then I got away from the Steelers and began rooting for the Cleveland Browns.

The Steelers No. 1 nemesis. But they were always my father’s favorite team. And so, I started cheering them on, too.

Not for long though.

A couple of years later, I discovered the San Francisco 49ers.

Joe Montana … yes, please. Steve Young and Jerry Rice — two of my all-time favorites since the ’70s Steelers.

I fell in love with the 49ers and continuously supported them since the ’80s.

But then came Colin Kaepernick. When he first started, I was a little excited. He was pretty good. Then again, you pretty-much have to be to play for the Niners.

But Kaepernick decided to take a stand for something he believed in by taking a knee during the singing of the national anthem.

People were tuning in just to see which players would stand and which players would kneel prior to the start of the game.

I make no apologies for being a strong supporter of the American flag.

And I respect the song written as this country’s national anthem. It is supposed to mean something to everyone who lives here.

I said “supposed,” because it certainly doesn’t hold true. And that is fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But it shouldn’t be done during a football game to get a point across. I know without doubt there were other avenues which could have been taken and other ways in which to convey your anger at what you deem to be unjust.

I found it to be quite offensive and I was done.

I was done with San Francisco. Done with watching football. Just done.

I understand it is only a game. But it was a game in which I breathed at one point in time.

I loved the sport to the point I used to have two games going simultaneously on the living room television’s picture-in-picture mode. Then another game or two playing in the bedroom.

I would often stand in the hall, between rooms in order to ensure I wouldn’t miss anything relevant.

Yes, Sundays were reserved for football. I even purchased the $300 DIRECTV Sunday Ticket each year just to watch every San Francisco game.

This was a sport I had come to adore. And in a single moment … my love for it was gone. And I’ve never gotten it back.

I am sorry that I stopped watching. I truly am.

So Sunday night, even though Patrick Mahomes is absolutely amazing, I will be cheering for the team that once held a very special place in my heart. Sports was always a huge part of my life. And I am truly hoping that one day, it will be that way once again.