Whats good about Football?

[ConLog]

American Football is one sport that is destined to remain popular within the confines of North America.

We have two teams over here in the UK who play in the European League, The London Monarchs and The Scottish Claymores but it's just not popular at all. The players all seem to be players who are failed college players in the US.

I myself have watched the games on TV like the Super Bowl but to be honest folks, I'd rather watch paint dry. I just don't understand a game which is 60 minutes long but lasts 4 hours.

So what am I missing? What is good about it? If I understood the rules would I enjoy it more?

Soccer is THE game!!!

[Kubie]

UFO,
Different cultures and what you're used too.
Soccer puts me to sleep faster then hearing my wife talk.
I have no interest in soccer but have nothing against anybody that likes it.
Same for baseball!!!!
Carl

[M. A. Dockter]

I was raised with football, played football, eat football, sleep football, and drink milk :)

That's right, I'm a Packer Fan.

American Football is, just like Soccer, another way for a culture to vent aggressive competitive tendencies. Since we don't complete for food and resources, we might as well compete for a ball.

[ConLog]

Yeah, they've tried to popularise American Football over here but I guess since it's not part of our culture it will always remain a minority interest sport.

Is Football derived from rugby?

Dockter, in my limited knowledge, is a Packers fan a fan of the Green Bay Packers? (I really am just guessing)

[Tuf]

I guess it is how you are raised. Football is a way of life around here. After spending most of last year in Canada I began to feel that way about Hockey. Soccer is mostly a kids game here and I can't sit through one even if my own kids are playing.

Football is so dynamic that you have to understand the teams and the individual players to really enjoy it. Maybe it's also because most of up grew up playing football. I have never played soccer so I really don't even understand it.

Some parts of the country(US) are more basketball oriented. I think it's neat game but I don't watch very much of it.

And of course there's the pride factor coming from a State that has a rich football heritage. ie Oklahoma, Alabama, Nebraska, etc.

[ConLog]

I will say this though, your cheerleaders are AWESOME!:)

[M. A. Dockter]

www.packers.com

Green Bay Packers Fan, correct

[SARGE]

Originally posted by Tuf


And of course there's the pride factor coming from a State that has a rich football heritage. ie Oklahoma, Alabama, Nebraska, etc.

Forget Texas?

[Kubie]

Sarge,
The only person that can forget Texas is someone from Oklahoma.
Right Tuf??:D :D :D
Carl

[Tuf]

No it's part of the etc. LOL really though this being the RRW week it's hard to put them in the same class.

They way we have both been playing though it's really anyone's game. We knock our QB who has the ninth best stats in the nation no interceptions on the year. They knock their recievers who are without a doubt the best in the nation. It's going to be interesting.

LOL that was for you Sarge!

[Oellof]

Perfect time of year for this post :)

In my opinion, the best part about American football is that it can be watched from a few different perspectives.

Of course, there's the most visible - the turbulent (some say violent :/) action. Sometimes it's hard to see on tv, but if you're right near the field, it's explosive. The sounds of helmets crunching can be a real marvel. Any one who's been a lineman can tell the true meaning of "sharing paint".

Then there's the strategic side. Think chess. There are a number of rules that must be followed. There must be a specific number of players on the field. Certain players may only be in specific areas. But they all move in choreographed patterns. All visible to the other team. As in chess, the opponent tries to anticipate the movements of the other team and use them to their own advantage.

I love it. But, it's not for everybody (especially my Lions :( )

[TimPoet]

Originally posted by UFOResearcher
American Football is one sport that is destined to remain popular within the confines of North America.
Not true. The Superbowl is watched by umpty ump millions all over the world year after year, extremely high ratings worldwide.

I myself have watched the games on TV like the Super Bowl but to be honest folks, I'd rather watch paint dry. I don't generally like watching Soccer or hockey on TV, but when I go to a live game I am captured, excited and cheering for my favorite. It is a whole new ballgame live. So try a live American football game first before you declare the whole thing a wash.
[i]So what am I missing? What is good about it? If I understood the rules would I enjoy it more? [/B]For one thing it has in comparison lengthy breaks between plays, but when the ball is hiked to the quarterback it is instantly furious. I like this so I can prepare my brain to anticipate what's coming up next and then focus in as the teams setup on the line waiting for the hike. Much less chance of me turning my head and missing a great move.
And yes, knowing the rules is the key to satisfaction. In the early eighties, I had a simple football game that let you try to get a first down or a score by either running the ball or passing it. I taught my first wife how to play. It went by a simplified version of American football rules. But it was enough to give her a basic understanding of the game and she shortly started enjoying it.
There's nothing sweeter than a long bomb touchdown pass that the quarterback throws so precisely that the receiver can jump forward the extra two feet to dive and catch it so that it's just out of the reach of his opponent who is trying to make him miss it!

[ConLog]

I think the Super Bowl is watched by umpteen million non-Americans more out of curiosity than enjoyment. I've watched it myself and tried to get caught up in the hype - but it simply does not float my boat.

Anyway, when I said confined to North America I never meant the TV audience, I meant actually playing the game.

Soccer on the other hand is MASSIVE, played the world over. The Soccer World Cup is easily the most massive sporting occasion on our planet.
What was really amazing was that the American Soccer team was absolutely magnificent in the 2002 World Cup and no doubt, nobody in the US took much notice. But EVERYBODY else in the world was raving about your team.
If you guys ever take Soccer seriously you are going to take some stopping!!!

[Nuclear Krusader]

I've never understood american football. And, frankly, I don't really care for it.

Here, people loves soccer. It is a common saying that a mexican can put up with almost anything, just don't touch the Guadalupe Virgin Maria and the Soccer. In the streets, in the school, in the office, in the bars, in the bus stops... everywhere people is talking about soccer.

Personally, I don't care for soccer. I've played sometimes and enjoyed playing it, but watching games on TV bores me to death. I better play with my computer. The only games I enjoy watching are the World Cup games.

My dad hates soccer. He loves baseball. He never taught me how to kick a ball, he taught me to use a bate instead. The only sports I like are swimming, chess and baseball. Hehe, my dad says a baseball game is like a chess game. Dunno if he's right.

I find soccer to be very aggressive, that is one of the reasons I don't like it.

[juppy]

Personally, football is about the only sport I can stand to watch (well, that and NASCAR racing, but some people claim that's not a sport :confused: ). All the others either put me to sleep or annoy the heck out of me. Tennis...boring, baseball...boring, golf...don't even get me started, soccer...I just can't stand to hear that guy yell GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!!!! I mean, what's the purpose of that? Wouldn't it seem weird to go to a golf tournament and hear some guy yell HOOOOLLLLEEE IN OOONNNEEEE! or BIIIIIIRRRRRRDDDDDIIIIIIEEEE! every time somebody sinks a put? But yeah, it probably does help to know the intricacies of the rules and how they apply before you really get to enjoy it. Just my two cents mind you. No offense to any tennis or golf fans out there. :D

[Tuf]

Toooooouuucccchdoowwwn Oklaaahoooma is a beautiful sound.

[K A Hall]

The fans, tailgating (http://www.tailgating.com) before the game, which includes lots of various meats and of course a healthy dose of your favorite alcoholic beverage. Then there is the struggle to get the ball in the opponent’s territory, by fooling them into letting you in, or by executing a well drawn out play, its almost warlike without the killing.

I could go on and on, but it would never make sense to someone who has not watched it since they could walk. Much like you could go on and on about soccer trying to convince me that it is fun to watch. You would never convince me. Soccer in the US has become as popular as it ever will in my opinion. It’s great if you play the game, but the fans will never come out to watch like the do for the NFL.

I am a die hard KC Chiefs fan who attends all of the home games. You just cannot have anymore fun then that. Next home game is against the Broncos……can’t wait. Chiefs Fans are the best in the world. We even allow you to come to the stadium and cheer for the other team and make it out alive after the game. It’s all in good fun.

[lil Jimmie]

I only watch NASCAR (where they race for their paychecks) the rest of the professional sports have become boring to me. I can find enjoyment in a good youth football game or high school game.

[juppy]

Originally posted by Tuf
Toooooouuucccchdoowwwn Oklaaahoooma is a beautiful sound.
Well, yeah, of course I'm gonna like that one. But, to stay impartial, they don't yell that for like 3 minutes straight! :D I saw a soccer game on tv one time and the announcer yelled GOAL! for as long as he could. Apparently that wasn't enough because he took another breath and started all over again. I think the team was just about done celebrating by running all over the field and taking their shirts off by the time the announcer finally got done yelling. :D Sad thing was this; you know how I ended up watching that game in the first place? The schedule said "futbol" so I switched over to it thinking I was getting a "football" game. BZZZTTT....wrong answer! Evidently, "futbol" is some other languages way of saying "soccer". I always wondered what sport they called "soccer"? Maybe football? :D :confused:

[Nuclear Krusader]

Yes, in spanish speaking nations it's not called soccer, but fútbol.
(From the english foot-ball, remember this game is from England).

And I hear you juppy, I hate those announcers too. They think they're cool by yelling like mad. I think otherwise.

[DilLy]

Go Broncos!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Vlad16]

I used to be an avid football fan until a friend introducted me hockey. Great action, heavy hitting, graceful and skilled players, plus fighting is allowed. What more could you ask for?

Until hockey season rolls around, I watch every football game that I can, but it just doesn't compare to hockey in my opinion.

Basically if you don't understand the rules of a game, it is very hard to follow. I understand hockey, football, baseball and basketball, but soccer was a bit confusing when I was watching the World Cup. Again, exposure to hockey isn't the same as it is in Canada, nor is soccer heavily seen in the states.

[ftrguy]

Once a year they show the Superbowl over here.
They try to hype it up, constantly advertising it, giving all this historical info to get people into it. And usually I try to watch it. Well, i can get thru about 15 mins of it..but then i start searching for the remote. I guess i just can't see the strategy and tactics involved, and so i get bored...and quickly. I'm the kind of person that can watch all sports..maybe not American football.

I used to be a big soccer fan, but not as much now. Except when the World Cup comes around, then the hooligan inside me awakes...

Now, i watch AFL, Rugby League..(different kinds of aussie football, the kind without any protective padding!!!! ) and mostly motorsports like F1 and V8 Supercars..

[ConLog]

Nuke, of course the correct name for Soccer is indeed "FOOTBALL" but I dont want to confuse matters!

Only in the US, Canada and Australia is it known as "Soccer".......everywhere else it's known as football.

No sound quite like........GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

BTW Nuke, Mexico also had a fantastic World Cup!

[Tuf]

While I am not a soccer fan it is interesting to note that as far as stadiums go Soccer Stadiums are the largest(seating capacity) sports arenas in the world.
While all the "name brand" college teams have larger stadiums than any NFL team, none can compare to the size of European Soccer Stadiums. There may be others around the world as well. It wouldn't suprise me if Mexico City had a 150k seat stadium. So the fans do indeed support soccer.

[Strider]

I remember my boss (He's originally from England) asking me if I've watched any football. I gave him the strangest look (it was June, maybe early July), I said "Football".

"Oh, I forgot you Americans call it soccer":D

Any ways Go Blue!
(Michigan Wolverines, the other school is where they just raise Cows:D )

[mairving]

It is definitely a culture thing. You can't really like Football as much unless you play it as a kid, go to high school games, then college games, then pro games.

[homer15]

i guess football is just a way of life around here. in every high school, there is at least 2 football teams. whether they are a winning team or a losing team (like my sucky high school was), the games are always packed.
also, there are baseball teams and soccer teams, but those seem to be less attended and emphasized by the school (when was the last time there was a homecoming soccer game?).
it really is a cool sport. there is a lot of strategy involved, even though it looks like they all just slam into each other. this game turns men into legends.

[Hot Rod]

I played football and soccer as a kid. I now coach high school football. I loved to play soccer but actually watching it is a different matter. It puts me right to sleep.

As for football....there is no better sport. A lot of people say its a bunch of brainless guys slamming heads together. Actually to be a good football player, you have to be smart. There are so many things to look for and what keys to read so you know what you are supposed to do during the play. It is definitely a chess match.

It is how you were brought up though. I was brought up watching Fran Tarkenton, Roger Staubach, and Tony Dorsett. In other countries, people of my same age, were brought up watching Pele.

By the way.....I am also a HUGE CHIEFS FAN!!! Go KC.

[SARGE]

Originally posted by Tuf
Toooooouuucccchdoowwwn Oklaaahoooma is a beautiful sound.

I hope I don't see/hear that too much this Sat, Tuf. I have a feeling that I will, though. :(

[TimPoet]

Originally posted by SARGE


I hope I don't see/hear that too much this Sat, Tuf. I have a feeling that I will, though. :( I hate when that happens... like last Sunday with my SD Chargers.

[Tuf]

I can't say with any conviction what will happen but I hope Oklahoma can pull off this one. It's like one of us has to play the Big12 Championship game twice.

[TimPoet]

I'll tell you what's good about football, my Chargers coming back from 10 point deficits 3 times and winning the game by one point with 14 seconds left to play!
Cha-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-argeeeerrs!!!!! :p :cool:

[Kubie]

And my 0-4 Rams wasting the 4-0 Raiders.
Carl

[TimPoet]

Originally posted by Kubie
And my 0-4 Rams wasting the 4-0 Raiders.
Carl S-s-s-s-s-mOkin'!!!!
And we gonna tear 'em apart next week, best thing in the world is being in the stadium while the Chargers beat the Raiders, got to do it twice!!!

[RayH]

What's good about America Football? The San Francisco Forty-Niners!!!!

Football at the NFL level takes on a completely different demension. At the college level, there are big players and there are quick players. In the NFL, they're all BIG QUICK players. I love watching NFL. But I really think it's a game played by people who are two brick short of a stack. Who else would want a 350+ pound gorilla chasing them all day?

As for the padding, it can be protective equipment. This is a game originally designed to be played in the snow. But now, it's played quite frenquently on carpet and cement. See the above paragraph about being slammed by a gorilla into such all day long.

But also, the padding is a weapon when launched against an opponent. It's a rough game.

The basic rules of the game are simple enough to understand. It's the strategy that gets complicated. It's as much a game of strategy and military precision as it is of pure athletic ability. Most of the higher ranking military staff were military college football players.

Teams with players with less natural athletic abilities can defeat teams with players of more natural athletic abilities through better execution and game strategy.

Look what happened to the Raiders at the hands of the Rams this weekend. The Raiders thought their team was on cuise control and fell asleep at the wheel.

[RayH]

1970 - USC 42, Alabama 21 It's a rare feat when a football game helps to change societal attitudes. The 1970 USC win over Alabama may have done just that. The Trojans traveled to Birmingham where they faced an all-white Crimson Tide team coached by Paul "Bear" Bryant. Thanks to dominating performances for USC by a trio of African-Americans (Sam Cunningham, Clarence Davis and Jimmy Jones), Bryant was convinced that he needed to recruit black players for his program. The rest of the Southeastern Conference soon followed suit and opportunities for black athletes in the South began to improve tremendously. Bryant was so impressed by Cunningham (who had 135 yards and two touchdowns on just 12 carries) that he invited the sophomore fullback into the 'Bama locker room after the game. He brought his players to Cunningham one-by-one and introduced him, saying: "This is what a football player looks like."