"Like most guys, he hadn't talked receiver routes (or other intricacies of the game) with a female."
He wasn't talking to any ol' female, he was talking to a sports writer. Someone who follows the game?
There is nothing particularly male about understanding football strategy.
One team has the ball. The other team wants to stop them from advancing the ball for downs or points, or wants to try to grab the ball back.
Receiver routes are nothing more than an attempt by the offense to advance the ball and avoid or confuse the defense in the process.
Nothing intrinsically male about it.
Women understand X's and O's are about more than hugs and kisses.