I do care about the influence that football and, by extension, the NFL has on my friends and family.

I’m the only one in my family who doesn’t like football. When my uncles, cousins, and mother would come together to watch the Miami Dolphins play I was generally reading or caring for the youngest cousins. I just didn’t understand how it could be so exciting that even my well-mannered mom let out a stream of Spanglish expletives when the Dolphins lost…again. I wanted to be a part of the excitement and shout with the rest of them, but I honestly just didn’t get it.

I’ve never been able to lend my excited yells or feel connected to football family rituals—that is, until now. As the Miami Dolphins play Dallas in the first preseason game today, I’ll finally be able to contribute to the festivities by asking my family and friends to join the MomsRising NFL Thunderclap!

The NFL recently gave in to pressure from a few lawmakers and opted out of sharing important information about new, affordable health coverage options with fans. This wouldn’t be the first time sports heroes helped spread the word on health care. Professional sports teams have helped promote similar programs in the past, including Medicare Part D coverage and health reform in Massachusetts.  When I think about all the dedicated fans in my own family, like my young cousins who will need access to affordable healthcare in just a few years, I just don’t understand why they would abandon those fans now.

Tonight, as families all around the nation prepare to watch the Miami Dolphins play the Dallas Cowboys, urge your family and friends to join our Thunderclap by clicking the Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr button on the website so we can all make some noise together! Whether you’re a diehard football fan or the one who wishes everyone would please just stop simultaneously screaming at the TV, you can lend your voice and let the NFL know you want them to support the millions of fans who will need to know about affordable healthcare options come October 1st.