Kickoff 2008

Greetings from gate 65 at Tampa International Airport. No doubt a spot that will go down in literary history as the location from which I posted my very first blog. I'm always interested in new ways to communicate and meet people so when I was asked to join you to discuss football here, I jumped on the opportunity. I'm aware I must walk carefully, however. For much like politics and religion, Americans hold football near and dear to the heart. So it is with great pride and respect that I unite with Cheeseheads, the Raider Nation and other pigskin enthusiasts here on the information highway.

Now, there are only a few things in this beautiful life that get to me. I mean, I'm an easy going guy. I have two beautiful children, a great job at HSN and a dog who thinks I'm the greatest thing since automated pet feeders (I think we sell those, by the way). So what could possibly rattle Todd Newton, you ask? Well, I don't like it when people eat crunchy food in a quiet movie theater, I don't understand why I wear a size 11 in one style of shoe and a 12 in another and I am just now fully recovered from the way last year's football season ended. Ooh... flashbacks.

Like many football fans, I love the Patriots. Am I one of those who jumped on the Tom Brady bandwagon a couple of years ago? Yes. Am I embarrassed to admit that? A little... but I'm a fan, nonetheless.

The Patriots are a dynasty. The excitement those guys brought to our HDTV screens (I'm CERTAIN we sell those) made me jump out of my favorite recliner more than once. That explains the nacho cheese stain on the right arm of the chair. Go ahead and admit it, we were all rooting for them to go undefeated. Unless, of course, you're reading this is New York.

In that case, congrats! You now know how it feels to experience a miracle firsthand. That's not a slam against Eli Manning, it's a salute for getting both a ring and Brett Favre within the same 12 month period.

I am excited to have the opportunity to spend the 2008-2009 season with you here on HSN.com. Regardless of who you root for (go Pats!) let's raise our glasses of whatever it is you're consuming at the moment (peach flavored iced tea) and make a toast to a heckuva season!