"Pick 6" or "Taint"--you decide

I'd love to use these middle-of-the-week blogs to explain things that were unclear (at least to me!) during the games. I don't know about you, but when I watch football, the commentators talk about things as if you've already taken 50 classes in the sport and now you're in the advanced class. Wrong! Let's back it up a little, fellas. I am positive that this is one of the reasons why women feel left out on game day. It's like a secret club. If you guys ever have any questions or need anything explained in a more "female-friendly" way, please add a comment or send me an email!

So this weekend when I was watching some after-game interviews, the term "Pick 6" was mentioned. Huh? Like Lotto? Is there a bonus round? Apparently not.

What it means is this: When the quarterback throws the ball and is caught by a member of the opposing team (an interception), the slang term is called a "pick," a shortened form of "picked off." Who knew? 

And why the "6," you ask? Well, in this case, if that same interception is returned for a touchdown, they get 6 points. Duh. So, let's say Tom Brady (Patriots) throws the ball and it's caught (intercepted) by Randy Moss (on the 49ers) and he then turns and runs it into the endzone for a 49er touchdown, it would be considered a "Pick 6." And there you have it.

What I find really hilarious is that in the official Wikipedia definition there is this amazing quote:

ESPN columnist Bill Simmons suggested the abbreviation "TAINT" (Touchdown AfterINTerception), but this largely failed to catch on, possibly because of other slang meanings of "taint."

Bahahahahahahhaaaaa! Can you imagine? Hey there, Bill, didja see that TAINT? That was incredible!

I don't think so.