If American Football wasn't called "football", would it be more popular...

[DRoseOwnsACamry]

...Around the world?
How come basketball became popular around the world, but (American)football didn't?

[Nick Young]

No man, it's just a boring game and I grew up with it. Too many commercials and stoppages.

ALSO the main thing is you need so much expensive equipment and organization to play it. Compared to soccer or cricket or basketball. It's hard for a sport to be popular when you need to be extremely wealthy to play it.

It's the same reason baseball isn't that popular all over the world and is dying out in Japan and even America. Too slow paced and boring.

These sports were good in the age of radio because they were easy to commentate over. Now with television available everywhere, even really poor villages able to afford it, people want to see fast paced action.

I like the tactics of football, I understand it because I'm American but compared to sports like basketball and soccer (THE ENGLISH INVENTED THAT WORD, GET OVER IT EUROSNOBS) it is too slow paced and dull. I like watching the playoffs and superbowl, that's it.

[dunksby]

It's very boring, I have tried getting into it a few times but I could never make myself watch a full game.

[AngelEyes]

Who gives a damn if the rest of the world likes it or not?

[knickballer]

No man, it's just a boring game and I grew up with it. Too many commercials and stoppages.

ALSO the main thing is you need so much expensive equipment and organization to play it. Compared to soccer or cricket or basketball. It's hard for a sport to be popular when you need to be extremely wealthy to play it.

It's the same reason baseball isn't that popular all over the world and is dying out in Japan and even America. Too slow paced and boring.

These sports were good in the age of radio because they were easy to commentate over. Now with television available everywhere, even really poor villages able to afford it, people want to see fast paced action.

I like the tactics of football, I understand it because I'm American but compared to sports like basketball and soccer (THE ENGLISH INVENTED THAT WORD, GET OVER IT EUROSNOBS) it is too slow paced and dull. I like watching the playoffs and superbowl, that's it.

Not really. I played AF my whole life and the only thing I had to purchase was cleats and a cup. Everything else was provided for me from my school..

Also you don't need equipment to play the sport as well. Just grab a football and play tackle or flag or touch football in your random park.

[Nick Young]

Not really. I played AF my whole life and the only thing I had to purchase was cleats and a cup. Everything else was provided for me from my school..

Also you don't need equipment to play the sport as well. Just grab a football and play tackle or flag or touch football in your random park.
Most schools in Europe, Asia and Africa and south america don't have or can't afford this expensive equipment. Sorry, to play the game properly it is extremely expensive.


I see and know loads of people who to to the park and play touch football, germans, dutch, english etc. But they're never going to become pros. And most people don't want to stay up til 4AM to watch a sport they don't understand. And because pro leagues in Europe were low quality, it didn't catch on at all and went bankrupt.

They all seem to like the idea of cheerleaders though.

[B-Easy8]

Its really boring. Plays go for 5-10 seconds at most and then there is a minimum of a 30 second break everytime. The stops are just insane, they spend 3/4 of the time doing nothing.

Also why do they have so much protection? Watch Australian football or rugby, they are just as rough, if not more and they wear nothing.

Another reason is that no one else in the world plays it, whilst almost every country in the world plays basketball.

[AngelEyes]

Its really boring. Plays go for 5-10 seconds at most and then there is a minimum of a 30 second break everytime. The stops are just insane, they spend 3/4 of the time doing nothing.

Also why do they have so much protection? Watch Australian football or rugby, they are just as rough, if not more and they wear nothing.

Another reason is that no one else in the world plays it, whilst almost every country in the world plays basketball.

Educate yourself about the sport before you comment on it. You sound like a moron.

[-p.tiddy-]

I think one reason is because you can play basketball pretty easy yourself while you need a lot of equipment, knowledge, people for AF. I think that's the main reason why soccer is so popular all over the world.
^^^

this

football isn't popular around the world because it requires a lot of money...and a huge team

soccer and basketball can be played by children that simply have a ball...soccer can use two buckets as goal markers, in basketball you do need a hoop which does require more money but not nearly as much as football which requires expensive pads...

[BrickingStar]

Its really boring. Plays go for 5-10 seconds at most and then there is a minimum of a 30 second break everytime. The stops are just insane, they spend 3/4 of the time doing nothing.

Also why do they have so much protection? Watch Australian football or rugby, they are just as rough, if not more and they wear nothing.

Another reason is that no one else in the world plays it, whilst almost every country in the world plays basketball.
I think you need to research the rules in tackling between those 3 sports to find that answer.

[chosen_one6]

On average, American football has only 11 minutes of action in 3 hours.

[-p.tiddy-]

I think you need to research the rules in tackling between those 3 sports to find that answer.
or just watch

clearly he hasn't watched much American Football...



Watch this video to understand why pads are needed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bcVg3f-OOQ)

[-p.tiddy-]

On average, football has only 11 minutes of action in 3 hours.
where the fck did you get that?...a quarter is 15 minutes, clock stops during most breaks

[B-Easy8]

or just watch

clearly he hasn't watched much American Football...



Watch this video to understand why pads are needed (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bcVg3f-OOQ)

I watch a lot of NFL, but I can only watch the condensed games on game pass.

I see the way they tackle and its really not that big of a difference. Have you ever watched rugby?

[B-Easy8]

By the way the condensed games go for 20 minutes and cut out the majority of the stops.

Why would anyone watch a 3 hour game to watch 20 minutes of action?

[BrickingStar]

I watch a lot of NFL, but I can only watch the condensed games on game pass.

I see the way they tackle and its really not that big of a difference. Have you ever watched rugby?
I don't even have to be american to give an answer to this, if you watched the video you know rugby players don't roam around to tackle a player in their blindside with the momentum they gathered from sprints.

If that answer doesn't explain it for you then this will : Newtons second law (F= M*S)

[AngelEyes]

NFL players are launched at each other like missiles. They are destroying their bodies in the process. There's a lot of action and plenty of strategy.

[AngelEyes]

You have 6'4" 250 lb line backers who run 4.5 or 4.6 40's launching themselves at players. The game is incredibly dangerous.

[LJJ]

Why isn't Russian midget fighting popular around the world? Why isn't Sumo popular around the world?

American Football just doesn't have universal appeal. It's a bunch of marginal athletes on steroids running into each other in between commercials.

[AngelEyes]

Why isn't Russian midget fighting popular around the world? Why isn't Sumo popular around the world?

American Football just doesn't have universal appeal. It's a bunch of marginal athletes on steroids running into each other in between commercials.

The NFL has many amazing athletes. Marginal? That's a joke and wrong.

[LJJ]

The NFL has many amazing athletes. Marginal? That's a joke and wrong.

The NFL is a tiny professional sport. Tiny.

How many professional American Football players are there compared to other sports?

If there is any term to properly describe the NFL as a sport, marginal would be it. Marginal athletes, marginal talents, marginal entertainment value, marginal everything.

[Heavincent]

:roll: at the NFL having marginal athletes. NFL has some of the absolute best athletes on the planet. The combination of speed, agility, and strength is incredible.

You're clueless.

[ItsMillerTime]

The NFL is a tiny professional sport. Tiny.

How many professional American Football players are there compared to other sports?

If there is any term to properly describe the NFL as a sport, marginal would be it. Marginal athletes, marginal talents, marginal entertainment value, marginal everything.

rofl

Football is only the largest sport in America, pulls in the most revenue, gets the highest ratings, has the most peewee/junior leagues in the country, etc etc.

But yeah it's only marginal. lol give me a break

[AngelEyes]

The NFL is a tiny professional sport. Tiny.

How many professional American Football players are there compared to other sports?

If there is any term to properly describe the NFL as a sport, marginal would be it. Marginal athletes, marginal talents, marginal entertainment value, marginal everything.

It's BY FAR the biggest sport in the United States, which happens to be one of the largest countries in the world. The best athletes in the NFL compare favorably to the best athletes in the NBA. Guys like Calvin Johnson, Adrian Peterson, Julius Peppers, etc. compare to any athletes.

[LJJ]

It's so easy to draw out people's inner racist.

[lefthook00]

The #1 reason is that its too complicated and has too many players, you really have to invest a lot of time into it to know what's really going on, the formations, the strategy, the details, the execution. You could say the same about other sports, but football goes deep. For the people who are really into it, I can see how they think that no sport is comparable. It is a re-enactment of war.

Personally, I love it. Best genetics in the world, no other sport can compete, not nba, baseball, soccer, rugby, boxing, mma, australian rules fb, hockey, etc.

[chosen_one6]

It's so easy to draw out people's inner racist.

:biggums:





























http://i.imgur.com/7BaFxBG.gif

[johndeeregreen]

LOL @ baseball and football being slow and boring while acting like soccer is action-packed. Priceless. No bias there.:oldlol:


PPS. American Football is not tougher than Rugby or Australian Football. You guys were pads on every single part of your body LOL.
That's because if they played American football without pads there would be fatalities every game.

[Bandito]

I think the reason the sport isn't more famous is because most of the fat people in the world live in America and its the fat people that like the sport anyways...

Jk

[AngelEyes]

Who cares if it isn't popular around the rest of the world? I personally think the sport is ****en stupid, but i admire the Americans love for it. Infact i admire America for their love of all their pro sports pro leagues.

I read somewhere that 28/30 NFL teams are BILLION dollar franchises. Thats bloody amazing that even teams that finish last in the league, still have support and survive to get another chance. Compare that to European Basketball and Football where its always the exact same teams that stay strong or decades and win all the championships.

I love the Americans for their support of grassroots sports too. They get like 100 million viewers for HIGH SCHOOL and COLLEGE games ffs. Thats crazy! They also actively encourage youth to try harder in school, get an education, and then turn pro. Whilst in Europe 90% of soccer players are brain dead retards who quit school at 15 to join a club on trial.

I also love the idea of salary caps and drafts. It makes sport so much more fair and gives everyone a chance. Top European teams buy all the best players and the other teams are left with the scraps.

PS. American Football is so ****en boring. The only reason i watch it is because it feels like im viewing a Hollywood film!. The production, filming, player interaction and ESPN specials are what makes it SO good.

PPS. American Football is not tougher than Rugby or Australian Football. You guys were pads on every single part of your body LOL.

Some dude mentions that players get blindsided, they do in Aussie Football. Some other guy mentioned how big the players are in NFL. Dude have you ever played Rugby? Do you know how massive Maori and Pacific islanders are? They make African Americans look like 15 year old boys. Their woman are bigger than your average white dude! Those guys running at ya at full speed (without padding) is 10x worse than NFL players with helmets and shoulder pads.

Good up until this point. Again the ignorance of the size, speed and athleticism of these athletes. Maori and Pacific Islanders make African Americans looks like 15 year old boys? Uh, no. Jonathan Ogden, Walter Jones, Julius Peppers, etc. I've seen Rugby, the collisions don't compare and the padding players wear can only do so much. Some have argued that the helmets only make the collisions worse because they're using it as a weapon.

[-p.tiddy-]

The NFL is a tiny professional sport. Tiny.

How many professional American Football players are there compared to other sports?

If there is any term to properly describe the NFL as a sport, marginal would be it. Marginal athletes, marginal talents, marginal entertainment value, marginal everything.
you have no Earthly idea of what you're talking about...

the ONLY athlete i can even think of that ranks above NFL players in terms of sheer physical athleticism is Bron...the next dozen or so would be NFL players...soccer players wouldn't make the top-50 list

Physical Athleticism:

1. Lebron
2. Calvin
3. Peterson
4. NFL Player
5. NFL Player
6. NFL Player
7. NFL Player
etc
etc
etc

14. Dwight Howard
15. Blake Griffin

something like that

[johndeeregreen]

NFL has "marginal athletes." Now I've heard it all.:oldlol: Not liking the sport is one thing, but just being completely ****ing ignorant is another. An NFL linebacker, for instance, is probably the single most complete package of athlete in pro sports FFS.

[AngelEyes]

Agree about the helmet as a weapon theory. However it cant be considered a real weapon if the other dudes covered head to toe in weaponary and armour too.

Rugby can def be compared to NFL. In NFL the tackles, guards, ends and linebackers start each play directly facing eachother and like 3 m apart. Majority of them have a little run up and hit eachother straight away. And then the plays over, you have a break for 5 mins, repeat, then break for a 5 min break again. On the other hand Rugby players get bashed down, get up, start running, get bashed down, get up, start running.......and repeat for 80 minutes.

You reallly cant compare them. One is a physically demanding sport were people are getting bashed for 80 minutes non stop while being expected to keep running. The other is a a bunch of fat dudes running 3 m, having a break and then going on commecial break.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh yeah did i mention the part about not wearing armour? Heres a video of white dudes getting ****ed up. Didnt even wanna use videos of the Maoris and Islanders

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66wK9zAppHc

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heres a little bit of Australian Football.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlG3qqtWNy8
:D

More B.S. The only players who are even slightly fat are Offensive lineman, who are also massively strong and incredibly mobile for their enormous size.

[Andrew Wiggins]

http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r123/tdthreat7/t1_davis.jpg

6'3"; 250 lbs
4.38 40 yd dash
squats 685 lbs

damn these fat roided up marginal athletes... :roll:

[AngelEyes]

6'7" 287 lb Julius Peppers

http://www.mtrmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/julius-peppers.jpg

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/741681/julius-peppers.jpg

[AngelEyes]

I actually think all three sports are equal in terms of physicality. Theres absolutely nothing seperating them in that field. However NFL players wear padding ffs! And thats not even a bad thing, infact its a GREAT thing! Its awesome that Americans are brought up to associate NFL with a need to protect themselves. Its awesome that they protect the bodies. But you cant sit there with a straight face and try and claim its the "toughest" in the world :)

You have too little knowledge of how violent the game is and how badly these guys are destroying their bodies. I can't discuss something with someone who chooses to be willfully ignorant.

[-p.tiddy-]

^^^ half the NFL is bigger than that dude, and probably much faster

http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee350/Jarg007/vernondavis.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8i2_WViU33Y/UAAYddE_R9I/AAAAAAAAAj4/cbmNwNYvb5A/s1600/Thomas+Jones1.jpg

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lrxg3pIs0F1qieobdo1_500.jpg

http://s1.ibtimes.com/sites/www.ibtimes.com/files/styles/picture_this/public/2012/02/24/238407-laron-landry.jpg

http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/38-greg-jones-jaguars-fittest-bodies-in-sports1.jpg

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_RnPywn7o8Ow/S-xs5_43kII/AAAAAAAAABc/Ygou6ScVJVA/s1600/peterson-01.jpg



^^^ random NFL players


an NFL locker room makes a soccer locker room look like something out of grade school

[Is He Ill]

Look at this lard ass

Tyron Smith 6' 5" 308lbs

http://onepithyparable.files.wordpress.com/2012/05/441092_display_image.jpg

Quite honestly, the guy that you posted looks to have the build of an average NFL skill position player.

[-p.tiddy-]

http://www.thefootballeducator.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/TGC-VerticalJump.png


^^^ dudes vertical higher than most the NBA


http://vlsportysexycool.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Air-Bryant.jpg


^^^ that is Dez Bryant...not an NBA player, but like many NFL players has no issues dunking or playing the game of basketball...can many soccer players dunk?...no not many of them, they aren't as athletic

[LJJ]

NFL has "marginal athletes." Now I've heard it all.:oldlol: Not liking the sport is one thing, but just being completely ****ing ignorant is another. An NFL linebacker, for instance, is probably the single most complete package of athlete in pro sports FFS.

Never knew eugenics was still so in fashion these days.

American Football, a sport that is played in really only one country in the world (where it's just one of many popular sports), a sport that a handful people around the world practice professionally and sport that only about 5% of the world population is exposed to of course still has the absolute elite athletes in the world.

:rolleyes:

Because they're American, right? And the "American race" is inherently more athletic than the rest of the planet?

:rolleyes:

Please. That's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard, you guys need a dose of reality.

[Is He Ill]

I'm not saying they aren't athletic, but posting a bunch of pictures of guys with nice physiques doesn't prove they are athletic. It's pretty sexy though and better than this dumb argument, so continue.

:oldlol:

[-p.tiddy-]

Never knew eugenics was still so in fashion these days.

American Football, a sport that is played in really only one country in the world (where it's just one of many popular sports), a sport that a handful people around the world practice professionally and sport that only about 5% of the world population is exposed to of course still has the absolute elite athletes in the world.

:rolleyes:

Because they're American, right? And the "American race" is inherently more athletic than the rest of the planet?

:rolleyes:

Please. That's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard, you guys need a dose of reality.

Gridiron Football makes more money than every other sport on the planet...

I believe the Dallas Cowboys just past up Man U as the most expensive sports franchise in the world

I'm not sure where you get this "5%" stuff...but it is BY FAR the most popular sport in the US

a single NFL playoff game will beat out the entire NBA Finals in terms of TV ratings

[-p.tiddy-]

I'm not saying they aren't athletic, but posting a bunch of pictures of guys with nice physiques doesn't prove they are athletic. It's pretty sexy though and better than this dumb argument, so continue.
size and strength is part of athleticism

[-p.tiddy-]

Because they're American, right? And the "American race" is inherently more athletic than the rest of the planet?

African Americans are inherently more athletic than the rest of the planet because of how they were bred, yes

African Americans are vastly more athletic on average than Africans

[AngelEyes]

Didnt post him for his physique guys. Posted him because someone said something about natural athletes and how only Lebron could compete in that regard. Sonny Bill is a WBA Boxing Champ, aswell as a Ruby Union world cup winner, and Rugby League Champ. Also that first photo is from when he was eighteen......I was showing his progression.

PS. Angel Eyez......I watched 5 games of NFL a week this last season. Youve watched one rugby game your whole life. Rugby isnt even one of my favorite sports (Ive prob watched more NFL in the last three years). I follow NBA and Soccer religiously. Im giving my unbiased opinion, and honestly....I dont think NFLs as tough as you yanks claim it. Thats all :)


First of all, don't even pretend like you know anything about the NFL, because you clearly don't. The NFL has some of the greatest natural athletes you'll ever see and I don't care how many countries play the sport. Calvin Johnson is about as natural as an athlete will get.

[LJJ]

African Americans are inherently more athletic than the rest of the planet because of how they were bred, yes

African Americans are vastly more athletic on average than Africans

Aah, finally we get to the bottom of things.

You guys think 20 million African Americans are more athletic than the rest of the world combined.

So you are a eugenist, like I said. That's fine. I think your assertion is ridiculous, but I'm not really going to sit here and argue with a proponent of eugenics.

[Thorpesaurous]

Most of the points made here are pretty valid on both sides, so I figured I'd throw out a thought that hasn't been mentioned.

One of the major reasons the NFL is so insanely popular in the US and not abroad is because of it's structure. It is the only sport in the country that is not oversaturated. All of the other major sports are wildly oversaturated. Even a hardcore basketball fan like myself will probably miss 20% of the NBA playoff games played this year because the schedule is nuts. The late weeknight games by west coast teams, the Friday and Saturday night games that will conflict with social activities ...
NFL Sunday rarely conflicts with a social activity, because it is in fact a social activity. It's Sunday schedule winds down the weekend. It's a chance to gather and rehash the week or weekend with your friends. The complaints of it being slow, of it only containing x amount of minutes of action over the course of a 3 hour game are fair to a point, but it's that same element that makes it a perfect social game, because it doesn't require 100% attention to follow it's narrative. If you walk into a soccer game and see a team losing 1-0, you don't necessarily know that the losing team has been on the offensive side of the field half the game and just couldn't finish, or that the leading goal was a fluke. Score, clock, possession, Field Position, are instantly understandable for an in the moment take on a football game. And don't underestimate the value of gambling on the NFLs popularity. It's scoring structure makes it the most accessible sport to bet on, and it's weekly layout makes it feel more socially reasonable, and more able to be prepped for with a week of newspaper coverage leading up to it.

Now the minutae of the game is incredibly difficult to understand. And that sparse schedule means that unless you were raised in the culture of football as most americans were to a degree (and I played my entire youth, and coach now), you're probably not going to pick it up jumping into a 16 game season.


The thing about NFL athletes is absurd. I'm personally of the mind that the NBA athlete is the best athlete in the world on average. But that's in part because the average is brought down by some of the NFLs heavier guys, who are amazing athletes in their own ways. But yeah, the level of athleticism of the average Linebacker, Safety, Corner, WR, and even TE these days, is absolutely off the charts.

And as for physicality, I know that some of these other sports are exceptionally physical. But those sports are contact sports, while football is the only sport I know of that's a collision sport. Outside of the combat sports, it's more dangerous than anything else. And even something like boxing rarely sees the instant impact type of injuries that football sees on week to week basis.


It think the "Difficulty to Play" argument holds a lot of water too. It is hard to play. Even at it's most basic level, it requires more space and people to play than most sports. It doesn't work on a 1v1 or even 2v2 level the way hoops does. Even soccer played against a wall works as 2v2. And even played well on american playgrounds by kids, it's the most bastardized version of the sports. Even if it's tackle being played, the two completions for a first down is a completely different animal than the chain style game that's really played. It is expensive to play, even in an organized setting.

[Is He Ill]

Aah, finally we get to the bottom of things.

You guys think 20 million African Americans are more athletic than the rest of the world combined.

So you are a eugenist, like I said. That's fine. I think your assertion is ridiculous, but I'm not really going to sit here and argue with a proponent of eugenics.

:wtf: Did he really ever claim to be a proponent of eugenics?

[AngelEyes]

I dont know NFL because I dont think its the toughest sport in the world?

I probly hate America because I dont think its the greatest country in the world too.

https://static.prtst.net/asset-proxy/777a3012de9a03a64b38fc093a6f5df66851b323/687474703a2f2f66696c65732e73686172656e61746f722e63 6f6d2f616d65726963615f6675636b5f796561685f62696b69 6e695f627265617374735f636f6c615f67756e5f6269675f6d 61632d73353830783732352d37313035302e6a7067/http://files.sharenator.com/america_****_yeah_bikini_breasts_cola_gun_big_mac-s580x725-71050.jpg

Know you don't anything about the NFL because of your continual emphasis on "armour" as you put it. You have a lack of understanding of the dangers and also of the great athletes who play it. This has nothing to do with America, I don't care about that at all. Your complete dismissal of the sport is what gets me.

[Andrew Wiggins]

Aah, finally we get to the bottom of things.

You guys think 20 million African Americans are more athletic than the rest of the world combined.

So you are a eugenist, like I said. That's fine. I think your assertion is ridiculous, but I'm not really going to sit here and argue with a proponent of eugenics.

what's your reasoning for calling them marginal athletes?

[LJJ]

what's your reasoning for calling them marginal athletes?

Marginal talent pool. It's not rocket science.

[-p.tiddy-]

Aah, finally we get to the bottom of things.

You guys think 20 million African Americans are more athletic than the rest of the world combined.

So you are a eugenist, like I said. That's fine. I think your assertion is ridiculous, but I'm not really going to sit here and argue with a proponent of eugenics.
If you don't think the ginormous slave trade did anything to African Americans in terms of physicality then you are in denial...simple as that

most African Americans don't deny this and understand it...watch a Chris Rock stand up

and you're right, no point in arguing it with someone that pretends it didn't happen

[Andrew Wiggins]

Marginal talent pool. It's not rocket science.

lol


by your logic, countries like lithuania have no business being competitive in basketball, yet they regularly are among the top 5 in the world

[-p.tiddy-]

Marginal talent pool. It's not rocket science.
why do you think the talent pool is marginal?


if every NFL player and every soccer player on the planet all participated in a giant 100 M race the first 100 people to finish would all be from the NFL...

[Andrew Wiggins]

why do you think the talent pool is marginal?


if every NFL player and every soccer player on the planet all participated in a giant 100 M race the first 100 people to finish would all be from the NFL...

this is untrue

[-p.tiddy-]

this is untrue
it is mostly true...no way to prove it though

many NFL players have world class sprinter speed...were track stars in college

[Is He Ill]

What about an IQ test?

Why is that relevant to a conversation regarding athletes? The only IQ that matters in football is football IQ.

[-p.tiddy-]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2i28MU8-lcw


^^^ Jacoby Ford 40 yard dash


can Beckham do that?...lol

[AngelEyes]

What about an IQ test?

What was the relevance of that question?

[dunksby]

This thread will only be useful to The Macho Man.

[AngelEyes]

What does a 100m matter in soccer? The best soccer players concentrate on possession and passing, not un-necessary running (Except the English, but that's why they suck). Why would "who ever is the fastest" determine who are the better athletes?

Ok, and the best NFL players (especially QB's) memorize dozens of complex play calling. Receivers have to understand route running.

[-p.tiddy-]

What does a 100m matter in soccer? The best soccer players concentrate on possession and passing, not un-necessary running (Except the English, but that's why they suck). Why would "who ever is the fastest" determine who are the better athletes?
speed is part of athleticism...as well as strength, leaping, coordination, etc


the ONLY facet of athleticism that soccer players have over NFL players is endurance...I'll give them that...but EVERY OTHER FACET goes to the NFL

[Just2McFly]

speed is part of athleticism...as well as strength, leaping, coordination, etc


the ONLY facet of athleticism that soccer players have over NFL players is endurance...I'll give them that...but EVERY OTHER FACET goes to the NFL
I dont know, soccer player might be more agile...but other than that i agree. LJJ is just a comedian in this thread.

[johndeeregreen]

Never knew eugenics was still so in fashion these days.

American Football, a sport that is played in really only one country in the world (where it's just one of many popular sports), a sport that a handful people around the world practice professionally and sport that only about 5% of the world population is exposed to of course still has the absolute elite athletes in the world.

:rolleyes:

Because they're American, right? And the "American race" is inherently more athletic than the rest of the planet?

:rolleyes:

Please. That's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard, you guys need a dose of reality.
You're a ****ing moron, end of discussion. You know nothing about game. Ignore list you go.

[Is He Ill]

What does a 100m matter in soccer? The best soccer players concentrate on possession and passing, not un-necessary running (Except the English, but that's why they suck). Why would "who ever is the fastest" determine who are the better athletes?

It wouldn't determine who the best overall athletes are because the athletes in the two sports possess entirely different skill traits. Soccer takes more endurance than american football, but that's just because NFL players have to sacrifice endurance for explosive speed, mass and strength. I personally prefer soccer over american football anyway, as well as basketball and aussie rules. IQ really has nothing to do with athletics, whatsoever. So speed is definitely a lot more relevant to this conversation than IQ. You claim that the NFL isn't that tough of a league to play in, but you ignore the talent level, size, and athleticism of these super athletes. I'm sure it wouldn't be tough for you to step onto a field where 220-330 lb behemoths run at you at elite speeds. :rolleyes:

[lefthook00]

I've played both football and rugby, and football hits are way worse, it's much more violent when it comes to tackling. It's simply more high impact.

It's not about who has better genes, it's about the pads, the mentality, and situational tackling. Rugby doesn't stop and reset nearly as much as football, you would be stupid to leave your feet to try to crush a player, you would be so out of position, and you would create a hugeee defensive liability for your team. It's not nearly as important to hit your man football-style in rugby. There is a lot more tying up/dragging going on without going to the ground all the time.

Now in other aspects, football, rugby, aussie rules fb, etc. are similar. There is a shitload of cleat stomping, knees, forearms, scrotum grabbing, eye gouging, finger/ankle bending goodness.

[Wally450]

I'm a football fan over soccer even though I like both, but if you gave Cristiano Ronaldo a through ball, his speed to that ball would be faster than a good amount of football players.

[johndeeregreen]

It just blows my mind how butthurt and defensive Euros get the second anyone says "NFL has crazy athletes and is insanely violent." It's like saying that is an immediate challenge to their manhood and they go crazy trying to make it sound like NFL is like Nerf rugby. Get a f*cking clue guys, nobody's saying you don't have to be a great athlete to play soccer/rugby/aussie rules, whatever. This isn't a personal challenge to you. Take a breath and get a grip.

[-p.tiddy-]

Cool what are the other facets of athleticism?

And why would NFL players automatically be faster? Is it because African-Americans (And Carabean Africans) dominate running events at the olympics so it means African Americans in the NFL could do it too? Isnt that stereotyping?

By that logic Soccer players should automaticaly be stronger than NFL players because white Europeans dominate the world in weight lifting, Crossfit Judo, and wrestling etc?

Right????
Weight lifters don't play soccer...they play in the NFL though

and yes I fully believe African Americans are faster on average than any other race on the planet, evidence in shown by the fact that they ARE faster, just watch some sports...Jamaica's gene pool comes from the exact same slave trade, who dominates the Olympics in speed?...Jamaica and the US...all part of that same history

the top 8 fastest speeds of all time are all from Jamaica and the US...which have the same ancestors

[Is He Ill]

It just blows my mind how butthurt and defensive Euros get the second anyone says "NFL has crazy athletes and is insanely violent." It's like saying that is an immediate challenge to their manhood and they go crazy trying to make it sound like NFL is like Nerf rugby. Get a f*cking clue guys, nobody's saying you don't have to be a great athlete to play soccer/rugby/aussie rules, whatever. This isn't a personal challenge to you. Take a breath and get a grip.

Exactly. That's the only thing that gets me. They tend to refuse to acknowledge the talent and athleticism of NFL players just because of the padding, and love to compare american football to rugby even though the two sports are quite different. All of the professional athletes from these sports are great athletes in their own right.

[lefthook00]

The padding HELPS the players be more violent. If they didn't have pads, it would be more like rugby/aussie rules fb. You simply can't generate as much force without pads. If you put a metal cage, an unbreakable helmet, and shoulder pads on theses savage Polynesians in rugby, you would get way crazier hits.

[Rasheed1]

Americans dont care what the rest of the world thinks about it's sports...

We are practically oblivious to the rest of the world.

I think this p*sses off Euros

We play against ourselves for the world championship :oldlol: dont even consider the rest of the world...

Someone mentioned earlier that football is by far the most popular sport in America, and its true..

we couldnt care less what the rest of the world thinks either. I think that bothers people who arent from here..

Football is incredibly violent but also full of strategy.. almost like chess. its a great combination of violence and strategy

plus there are only 16 games (So every play and every game is very important) and a week between each game to properly build the hype

[Just2McFly]

Cool what are the other facets of athleticism?

And why would NFL players automatically be faster? Is it because African-Americans (And Carabean Africans) dominate running events at the olympics so it means African Americans in the NFL could do it too? Isnt that stereotyping?

By that logic Soccer players should automaticaly be stronger than NFL players because white Europeans dominate the world in weight lifting, Crossfit Judo, and wrestling etc?

Right????
:facepalm :facepalm

because they have this thing called the NFL COMBINE that measure a ton of data from athletic tests....wtf is wrong with people here?

you can't really run the 40 much faster than top tier nfl players

[LJJ]

It just blows my mind how butthurt and defensive Euros get the second anyone says "NFL has crazy athletes and is insanely violent." It's like saying that is an immediate challenge to their manhood and they go crazy trying to make it sound like NFL is like Nerf rugby. Get a f*cking clue guys, nobody's saying you don't have to be a great athlete to play soccer/rugby/aussie rules, whatever. This isn't a personal challenge to you. Take a breath and get a grip.

Yup.

Someone saying that a small sport drawing from a very small pool of talent might not have the best athletic talent in the world = "getting very defensive"

It's just facts and common sense here. Scale matters. If you have a sport that is practiced by 50000 people and compare it to a sport that is practiced by 50 million people, the latter will have superior athletes. No reason to get butt hurt over that.

[Just2McFly]

Yup.

Someone saying that a small sport drawing from a very small pool of talent might not have the best athletic talent in the world = "getting very defensive"

It's just facts and common sense here. Scale matters. If you have a sport that is practiced by 50000 people and compare it to a sport that is practiced by 50 million people, the latter will have superior athletes. No reason to get butt hurt over that.
:wtf:

[Rasheed1]

Yup.

Someone saying that a small sport drawing from a very small pool of talent might not have the best athletic talent in the world = "getting very defensive"

It's just facts and common sense here. Scale matters. If you have a sport that is practiced by 50000 people and compare it to a sport that is practiced by 50 million people, the latter will have superior athletes. No reason to get butt hurt over that.




these players are bred and hand picked specifically for the elite telent and skills they have

the pool is so small precisely because the skill set needed to qualify is incredibly specific..

Only the fastest, strongest, and most agile players can even qualify to get a look at an NFL combine

[LJJ]

these players are bred and hand picked specifically for the elite telent and skills they have

the pool is so small precisely because the skill set needed to qualify is incredibly specific..

Only the fastest, strongest, and most agile players can even qualify to get a look at an NFL combine

The pool is small because it's played in one country, not for any other reason.

To understand how the rest of the world looks at American Football, you only need to look at Sumo. The Japanese think of these Sumo athletes as the greatest in the world also, but nobody in America really takes it seriously and people see it as an insignificant, marginal novelty. That's exactly how everybody outside of the US views American Football, and with good reason because that's is basically what it is.

[lefthook00]

lolwut

[Andrew Wiggins]

The pool is small because it's played in one country, not for any other reason.

To understand how the rest of the world looks at American Football, you only need to look at Sumo. The Japanese think of these Sumo athletes as the greatest in the world also, but nobody in America really takes it seriously and people see it as an insignificant, marginal novelty. That's exactly how everybody outside of the US views American Football, and with good reason because that's is basically what it is.

lol, i'm from outside america and definitely don't view american football as an insignificant, marginal activity.

you're trying to portray your obvious misguided opinion on the sport as a global consensus

[Heavincent]

The pool is small because it's played in one country, not for any other reason.

To understand how the rest of the world looks at American Football, you only need to look at Sumo. The Japanese think of these Sumo athletes as the greatest in the world also, but nobody in America really takes it seriously and people see it as an insignificant, marginal novelty. That's exactly how everybody outside of the US views American Football, and with good reason because that's is basically what it is.

Definitely one of the dumbest things I've read on ISH.

[Rasheed1]

The pool is small because it's played in one country, not for any other reason.


the pool is so small because most people do not qualify...





To understand how the rest of the world looks at American Football, you only need to look at Sumo. The Japanese think of these Sumo athletes as the greatest in the world also, but nobody in America really takes it seriously and people see it as an insignificant, marginal novelty. That's exactly how everybody outside of the US views American Football, and with good reason because that's is basically what it is.


^thats poor logic..

if you really wanna be taken seriously by anybody in this thread? you need to use logic that shows you actually know something about the sport you are talking about.. you cant judge the NFL by comparing it sumo wrestling :oldlol: thats dumb..


players are bred from pop warner through high school and college, and then? only the biggest fastest and strongest make the league

you are making a fool of yourself right now pal.. :oldlol: stop trollin

[LJJ]

lol, i'm from outside america and definitely don't view american football as an insignificant, marginal activity.

you're trying to portray your obvious misguided opinion on the sport as a global consensus

And you don't think you are an outlier? Unlike some people I'm definitely open to other perspectives.

Do you have any indication besides your personal anecdotes that American Football is more than a very marginal sport anywhere outside of North America?

[LJJ]

the pool is so small because most people do not qualify...






^thats poor logic..

if you really wanna be taken seriously by anybody in this thread? you need to use logic that shows you actually know something about the sport you are talking about.. you cant judge the NFL by comparing it sumo wrestling :oldlol: thats dumb..


players are bred from pop warner through high school and college, and then? only the biggest fastest and strongest make the league

you are making a fool of yourself in this mang.. :oldlol: stop trollin

Everything you say here applies to Sumo. Why don't you take Sumo seriously? Greatest athletes in the world, they say.

[Andrew Wiggins]

And you don't think you are an outlier? Unlike some people I'm definitely open to other perspectives.

Do you have any indication besides your personal anecdotes that American Football is more than a very marginal sport anywhere outside of North America?

what do you think qualifies you to state "how everybody outside of the US views American Football" ?

my word, what a global denizen you are

[Rasheed1]

LJJ just stop :oldlol:

its not workin..

[Heavincent]

Do you have any indication besides your personal anecdotes that American Football is more than a very marginal sport anywhere outside of North America?

And soccer is widely regarded as a boring ***** sport here in America that doesn't require nearly as much strength, toughness, and strategy as football. Agree or not, that's what a lot of Americans say about soccer.

[LJJ]

what do you think qualifies you to state "how everybody outside of the US views American Football" ?

my word, what a global denizen you are

That's not really an argument. What qualifies you to say I'm wrong? We are talking on a messageboard, not comparing CV's. "You are no expert" "Nooo, you are no expert" "Noooo, you are no expert". Nobody here is an expert on anything.


One only needs to look at the level of professionalism and competition in the sport outside of North America to identify it as a marginal sport, really.

[ItsMillerTime]

LJJ is a retard.

How you going to have 13,000+ post on a sports forum when you barely know anything about sports?

:biggums:

[LJJ]

LJJ just stop :oldlol:

its not workin..

He, at least I back up my arguments with data and valid comparisons.

None of you guys are really bringing anything here except: "This is America here, we are number 1. Deal with it!"

I'm not even trying to change anyone's mind. I like reading what other people think even if I disagree with them, but so far I haven't been able to provoke anyone into posting quality other than Thorpe.

[lefthook00]

That's not really an argument. What qualifies you to say I'm wrong? We are talking on a messageboard, not comparing CV's. "You are no expert" "Nooo, you are no expert" "Noooo, you are no expert". Nobody here is an expert on anything.


One only needs to look at the level of professionalism and competition in the sport outside of North America to identify it as a marginal sport, really.

So which sport do you think has the best athletes?

[Rasheed1]

LJJ is a retard.

How you going to have 13,000+ post on a sports forum when you barely know anything about sports?

:biggums:


:roll: he's using arguments that have nothing to do at all with the sport itself.

what people in Japan think of the NFL has no bearing at all on the actual quality of the athletes in the NFL

its a hilarious argument

[lefthook00]

He, at least I back up my arguments with data and valid comparisons.

None of you guys are really bringing anything here except: "This is America here, we are number 1. Deal with it!"

I'm not even trying to change anyone's mind. I like reading what other people think even if I disagree with them, but so far I haven't been able to provoke anyone into posting quality other than Thorpe.

So which sport do you think has the best athletes?

[LJJ]

So which sport do you think has the best athletes?

It kind of depends what type of athletics you value more.

In general though, I figure the sport with the most high level competitors reaches the highest level of competition.

[Andrew Wiggins]

He, at least I back up my arguments with data and valid comparisons.

None of you guys are really bringing anything here except: "This is America here, we are number 1. Deal with it!"

I'm not even trying to change anyone's mind. I like reading what other people think even if I disagree with them, but so far I haven't been able to provoke anyone into posting quality other than Thorpe.

you haven't backed up shit. first you said that it was a sport with marginal athletes but your so called valid data and comparisons are on the precedent that the sport has a relatively low number of participants relative to more popular sports. then you proceed to argue why american football is insignificant in the global landscape.

what you fail to take into account is that your definition of what constitutes a good or great athlete is simply your opinion. some may define a great athlete as someone who thrives in a certain sport but others may define one as an individual with the best measurable statistics among various physical tests like a sprint time, vertical leap, endurance test, and so on.

i consider adrian peterson and killian jornet amazing athletes but they could not be any more different

[Timmy D for MVP]

It's easy to explain I think.

Football is, in a basic form, a variation of an already established popular worldwide sport.

Whereas basketball was a novel, truly original sport.

[Rasheed1]

It kind of depends what type of athletics you value more.

In general though, I figure the sport with the most high level competitors reaches the highest level of competition.


do you actually follow any sports? :oldlol:

[LJJ]

you haven't backed up shit. first you said that it was a sport with marginal athletes but your so called valid data and comparisons are on the precedent that the sport has a relatively low number of participants relative to more popular sports. then you proceed to argue why american football is insignificant in the global landscape.

what you fail to take into account is that your definition of what constitutes a good or great athlete is simply your opinion. some may define a great athlete as someone who thrives in a certain sport but others may define one as an individual with the best measurable statistics among various physical tests like a sprint time, vertical leap, endurance test, and so on.

i consider adrian peterson and killian jornet amazing athletes but they could not be any more different

Every opinion I give is my opinion indeed, I don't see why that's relevant? "That's just your opinion". "You're not really any expert". Yes, yes. That really goes without saying.

Are you really saying that my argument that American Football has a very low global participation level is not verifiable and untrue? I think that is a solid, verifiable assertion. I also think that stating that because of this fact American Football lacks some of the scale benefits other sports enjoy is a logical conclusion.

[Rasheed1]

Every opinion I give is my opinion indeed, I don't see why that's relevant? "That's just your opinion". "You're not really any expert". Yes, yes. That really goes without saying.

Are you really saying that my argument that American Football has a very low global participation level is not verifiable and untrue? I think that is a solid, verifiable assertion. I also think that stating that because of this fact American Football lacks some of the scale benefits other sports enjoy is a logical conclusion.


what is your favorite sport?

[LJJ]

what is your favorite sport?

Make a guess Sherlock Holmes.

[Rasheed1]

Make a guess Sherlock Holmes.


you dont follow sports do you? :roll:

[Rasheed1]

That's how it is with almost every sport.

The pool is proportional to the amount of people trying. There would be a lot more football players in the world if it was a global sport.


I dont deny that... there definitely would be more players if there were more teams across the globe, but the level in the talent pool would also be watered down and not necessarily better..



it also doesnt mean that it makes the sport "marginal" and "insignificant"

[LamarOdom]

soccer is for gay ****, they just run around and pass and sometime they shoot.

[Rasheed1]

Agreed, but the best talent will almost always land in the best league (i.e. NBA).


yup... Im sure there are some guys across the globe who be spectacular talents in the NFL if they had a league or something similar in their country like basketball does, where they could show their talent and draw attention to themselves

[Andrew Wiggins]

Every opinion I give is my opinion indeed, I don't see why that's relevant? "That's just your opinion". "You're not really any expert". Yes, yes. That really goes without saying.

Are you really saying that my argument that American Football has a very low global participation level is not verifiable and untrue? I think that is a solid, verifiable assertion. I also think that stating that because of this fact American Football lacks some of the scale benefits other sports enjoy is a logical conclusion.

once again you're missing the point.

no one's disputing the sport having a low participation level. but that doesn't necessarily equate to NFL players being "marginal athletes". the way people in this thread, americans i assume, are defining athleticism is by some of measurable abilities i mentioned earlier. if you define how good of an athlete someone is by those measurables, then many nfl players would likely be top notch "athletes"

[blablabla]

It'd be more popular if it were a better sport, and not just athletes with no skill to speak of running into each other in between commercial breaks.

[Blue&Orange]

Most boring sport in the face of the planet, nothing happens, played on 10 seconds spurts followed by minutes of nothingness. No skill required whatsoever, absolutely no skill.

Last time i watched someone kicked the ball forward, someone from the other team picked it up, and i was like "wow amazing, about the pass the 10 seconds mark", the guy then kneels, ref whistle, game stops. that was it for me, never watching that crap again.


looking how popular baseball and football is i don't understand how watching paint dry isn't a national hobby in the US.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWgg20IqibM


and as someone that watched rugby as a kid rugby >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> american crap football

[AngelEyes]

It'd be more popular if it were a better sport, and not just athletes with no skill to speak of running into each other in between commercial breaks.

Wow. Another moron who has no knowledge of the sport spouting off.

[The-Legend-24]

Shit is boring as fvck. Nothing but fvcking commercials.

Basketball & Soccer >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[Rasheed1]

Wow. Another moron who has no knowledge of the sport spouting off.


I think most of people who are "spouting off" obviously dont understand what they are looking at..

because if you know what is happening and you know who the players are and their strengths and weaknesses? then it isnt boring at all.

[LJJ]

once again you're missing the point.

no one's disputing the sport having a low participation level. but that doesn't necessarily equate to NFL players being "marginal athletes". the way people in this thread, americans i assume, are defining athleticism is by some of measurable abilities i mentioned earlier. if you define how good of an athlete someone is by those measurables, then many nfl players would likely be top notch "athletes"

No shit. That's essentially saying that NFL players are the best NFL athletes in the world. That's saying nothing.

[AngelEyes]

I think most of people who are "spouting off" obviously dont understand what they are looking at..

because if you know what is happening and you know who the players are and their strengths and weaknesses? then it isnt boring at all.

Exactly. And to claim that the sport requires no skill, that's just pure ignorance. Every position requires an immense amount of skill, quarter backs being the most obvious one.

[Andrew Wiggins]

No shit. That's essentially saying that NFL players are the best NFL athletes in the world. That's saying nothing.

lol :facepalm

[Rasheed1]

Exactly. And to claim that the sport requires no skill, that's just pure ignorance. Every position requires an immense amount of skill, quarter backs being the most obvious one.


:cheers: ya cant argue about a sport if you have no idea what you are talking about... thats what makes some of these comments hilarious..

If I sit down (totally ignorant of the ins and outs of the sport) and try to watch it?

yeah it will probably seem like people just running into each other/boring..

but it takes some real brass ones to come in the thread make silly arguments to people who do know what they are talking about

*cough LJJ cough*

[ZenMaster]

I read that touch football was the fastest growing sport in my country last year, went from like 500 to 3300 registered players. I live in a small country.

[PHX_Phan]

LJJ digging a hole :lol

You're coming off as an idiot. Maybe you don't respect the sport, but using the word marginal to describe the athletes just makes you come off as another idiot flinging turds.

We KNOW the athletes are superior to many sports in certain aspects because that is what the sport demands. You can look at physical numbers from the combine if you need further proof that they are top athletes regardless of where they are in the world.

You also overlook a huge factor in your 'logic.' The money. The NFL makes tons of money. Professional athletes tend to go where there is money. The sport doesn't have to be played all over the world if it's the biggest sport in one of the largest markets.

[Blue&Orange]

Exactly. And to claim that the sport requires no skill, that's just pure ignorance. Every position requires an immense amount of skill, quarter backs being the most obvious one.
And what skills would that be?

[ItsMillerTime]

And what skills would that be?

The fact you even have to ask this question shows you won't accept a logical answer. Being accurate with a football is most definitely a skill.

What I don't understand is why people are discussing topics they have minimal knowledge on. Like I wouldn't argue to death any opinions about soccer because I don't watch enough soccer to know what I'm talking about.

Sometimes it's better to sit back and watch a conversation unfold so you don't look like an idiot.

[AngelEyes]

And what skills would that be?

Seriously? How about... arm strength, accuracy, footwork, field vision, ability to know and execute routes, body control, pass catching, blocking, tackling, punting, kicking, etc.

What a stupid ****ing question.

[Blue&Orange]

Seriously? How about... arm strength, accuracy, footwork, field vision, ability to know and execute routes, body control, pass catching, blocking, tackling, punting, kicking, etc.

What a stupid ****ing question.
Yes yes, you forgot to mention, time management, teamwork, leadership, self motivation, being able to talk, peripheral vision, having two feet.

My question to you is how ****ing retarded are you? Yes keep spouting generic stuff that all sports require. You raelly gonna win this argument.


Arm strength, really? a skill?
Body control? not suffering from Parkinson is a skill?
blocking, tackling? herp derp i can throw myself in front of someone herp derp
footwork, what footwork? Are you joking or being serious can't tell.
ability to know and execute routes? fancy word for run forward, lol, yeah not being brain dead and know to run forward where there is less people, amazing skill.
accuracy, pass catching? wow catching a ball, amazing stuff right there, for 12 year old girls with butter fingers.
The only thing that resembles a skill is the throwing of the ball, and that is like kindergarten stuff.


Find me a sport less skillful than this crap, i dare you. Ping pong > NFL

Even baseball needs more skill, batting a ball >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> anything on american football.


i remember when i was a kidd, our teacher sometimes would make us play "human footbal" basically nfl without a ball, we had to cross over the field without being touch by anybody, and everyone would whine, because it was SO BORING. You would love it, great display of "footwork, field vision, ability to know and execute routes, body control", it was all we had.

[johndeeregreen]

Football isn't boring. It's just boring compared to basketball.
It's all preference. I love football, but if it's not your thing I get that. Same with baseball. I played for 15 years so when I watch a game I'm sort of instinctively analyzing every pitch and what is going to happen next. A ton of stuff happens on the baseball and football field that a casual observer won't understand, and in turn that could very well lead them to be disinterested with the sport. And I understand and respect that. I'm the same way with soccer. I know only the rudimentary points, and I'm sure if I committed myself to learning more I might start to enjoy it, but I just don't really want to. Thusly it's boring to me.

I liken it to rodeo, because it's a fringe sport and a great number of people who watch don't really understand it. A lot of people will watch a bareback ride and all they will see is a guy hanging on and wonder how one can possibly be any different than another, or why "hanging on" is so impressive. But the more you watch, the more you realize how huge the difference between hanging on and a 90-point ride is for these guys. If you don't understand it, you won't appreciate it. And we're seeing a lot of it in this thread.

[johndeeregreen]

Yes yes, you forgot to mention, time management, teamwork, leadership, self motivation, being able to talk, peripheral vision, having two feet.

My question to you is how ****ing retarded are you? Yes keep spouting generic stuff that all sports require. You raelly gonna win this argument.


Arm strength, really? a skill?
Body control? not suffering from Parkinson is a skill?
blocking, tackling? herp derp i can throw myself in front of someone herp derp
footwork, what footwork? Are you joking or being serious can't tell.
ability to know and execute routes? fancy word for run forward, lol, yeah not being brain dead and know to run forward where there is less people, amazing skill.
accuracy, pass catching? wow catching a ball, amazing stuff right there, for 12 year old girls with butter fingers.
The only thing that resembles a skill is the throwing of the ball, and that is like kindergarten stuff.


Find me a sport less skillful than this crap, i dare you. Ping pong > NFL

Even baseball needs more skill, batting a ball >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> anything on american football.
How old are you? Because your gross oversimplification of everything in this post is so logic-defying that I can't believe a grown man would actually say it.

[AngelEyes]

Yes yes, you forgot to mention, time management, teamwork, leadership, self motivation, being able to talk, peripheral vision, having two feet.

My question to you is how ****ing retarded are you? Yes keep spouting generic stuff that all sports require. You raelly gonna win this argument.


Arm strength, really? a skill?
Body control? not suffering from Parkinson is a skill?
blocking, tackling? herp derp i can throw myself in front of someone herp derp
footwork, what footwork? Are you joking or being serious can't tell.
ability to know and execute routes? fancy word for run forward, lol, yeah not being brain dead and know to run forward where there is less people, amazing skill.
accuracy, pass catching? wow catching a ball, amazing stuff right there, for 12 year old girls with butter fingers.
The only thing that resembles a skill is the throwing of the ball, and that is like kindergarten stuff.


Find me a sport less skillful than this crap, i dare you. Ping pong > NFL

Even baseball needs more skill, batting a ball >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> anything on american football.

There's no talking to retards like you. A toddler can put forth a better argument than your dumb ass.

You make fun of the ability to catch a ball when soccer takes what skill.... ? Kicking a ****ing ball. My god that is just so much more impressive. At this point you better be trolling, otherwise you may want to get a brain scan, perhaps too many concussions. Well, congratulations for separating yourself from the dumbasses.

[AngelEyes]

How old are you? Because your gross oversimplification of everything in this post is so logic-defying that I can't believe a grown man would actually say it.

I really hope he's a trolling 10 year old because his arguments are scary.

[AngelEyes]

This idiot makes posters like Kennethgriffin and Nick Young look like some of the great thinkers of our time.

[Just2McFly]

how can you see a receiver stop and go, keep his hands down til the last possible moment, then catch the ball and drag both of his feet to stay in bounds and sarcastically say wow?

[atljonesbro]

I mean you obviously have to be athletic to play any sport, but soccer i just a lot more skill based than based on athleticism. Football easily has the greatest athletes out of any sport. It's not even close. You have guys who are 6'3, 220 pounds, run a 4.4 40 yard dash, with 35 inch verticals, bench pressing 225 pounds 20 times.

Those who talk about how boring it is you probably just haven't watched enough to appreciate the drama and strategy behind the game. Every play seems incredibly important regardless of what happens.

[B-Easy8]

All the NFL fanboys have just taken over this thread.

Why is it so hard to comprehend that people have their own opinions on things? Many of us watch a lot of NFL (more than the average American) and we still believe its not the most physically demanding sport.

How is this an issue? Stop being so butthurt about someone else's opinion, how does it really affect you?

By the way I hate him but Christian Ronaldo is arguably the best athlete in the world.

[johndeeregreen]

All the NFL fanboys have just taken over this thread.

Why is it so hard to comprehend that people have their own opinions on things? Many of us watch a lot of NFL (more than the average American) and we still believe its not the most physically demanding sport.

How is this an issue? Stop being so butthurt about someone else's opinion, how does it really affect you?
Do you hear that whoosh? That would be the point of this thread screaming over your head at mach speed.

[Andrew Wiggins]

All the NFL fanboys have just taken over this thread.

Why is it so hard to comprehend that people have their own opinions on things? Many of us watch a lot of NFL (more than the average American) and we still believe its not the most physically demanding sport.

How is this an issue? Stop being so butthurt about someone else's opinion, how does it really affect you?

By the way I hate him but Christian Ronaldo is arguably the best athlete in the world.

Christian Ronaldo? :roll:

[HarryCallahan]

The reason that af isn't more popular overseas is that it is boring game that has roughly 15mins of action for ever 45mins of commercials.

Also smh at the toughness argument. Do af players get routinely stomped, bitten, punched, spat on, elbowed/forearmed, scrotum grabbed, headbutted or eye-gouged? No? Than stfu.

[Heavincent]

Yes yes, you forgot to mention, time management, teamwork, leadership, self motivation, being able to talk, peripheral vision, having two feet.

My question to you is how ****ing retarded are you? Yes keep spouting generic stuff that all sports require. You raelly gonna win this argument.


Arm strength, really? a skill?
Body control? not suffering from Parkinson is a skill?
blocking, tackling? herp derp i can throw myself in front of someone herp derp
footwork, what footwork? Are you joking or being serious can't tell.
ability to know and execute routes? fancy word for run forward, lol, yeah not being brain dead and know to run forward where there is less people, amazing skill.
accuracy, pass catching? wow catching a ball, amazing stuff right there, for 12 year old girls with butter fingers.
The only thing that resembles a skill is the throwing of the ball, and that is like kindergarten stuff.


Find me a sport less skillful than this crap, i dare you. Ping pong > NFL

Even baseball needs more skill, batting a ball >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> anything on american football.


i remember when i was a kidd, our teacher sometimes would make us play "human footbal" basically nfl without a ball, we had to cross over the field without being touch by anybody, and everyone would whine, because it was SO BORING. You would love it, great display of "footwork, field vision, ability to know and execute routes, body control", it was all we had.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5hfYJsQAhl0

[B-Easy8]

Christian Ronaldo? :roll:

Clearly I missed the O.

Christiano.

You happy now Mr Wiggins?

[AngelEyes]

The reason that af isn't more popular overseas is that it is boring game that has roughly 15mins of action for ever 45mins of commercials.

Also smh at the toughness argument. Do af players get routinely stomped, bitten, punched, spat on, elbowed/forearmed, scrotum grabbed, headbutted or eye-gouged? No? Than stfu.

Yes, to all of that. To a lesser extent these days, ever since Goodell was put in charge and the concussion lawsuits started coming in. The NFL is a barbaric game and it used to be even more barbaric.

[joe]

The reason that af isn't more popular overseas is that it is boring game that has roughly 15mins of action for ever 45mins of commercials.

Also smh at the toughness argument. Do af players get routinely stomped, bitten, punched, spat on, elbowed/forearmed, scrotum grabbed, headbutted or eye-gouged? No? Than stfu.

Actually yeah dude. My friend played high school football and told me some horrific stories about being in human piles on a football field. People grabbing his balls, biting him, elbows, the whole 9. I think rugby is a tough ass sport though, if I lived in Europe or Australia you wouldn't catch me on a Rugby field, just like you don't catch me on a football field here in the US :D

[Andrew Wiggins]

Clearly I missed the O.

Christiano.

You happy now Mr Wiggins?

clearly you missed more than that, because there's no athlete i've ever heard of named "christiano ronaldo"

[PHX_Phan]

The reason that af isn't more popular overseas is that it is boring game that has roughly 15mins of action for ever 45mins of commercials.

Also smh at the toughness argument. Do af players get routinely stomped, bitten, punched, spat on, elbowed/forearmed, scrotum grabbed, headbutted or eye-gouged? No? Than stfu.

They get concussions, broken bones and torn ligaments. Pretty sure most studies show that American football generates more season-ending type injuries than Rugby which is mostly cuts, bruises, etc.

[HarryCallahan]

They get concussions, broken bones and torn ligaments. Pretty sure most studies show that American football generates more season-ending type injuries than Rugby which is mostly cuts, bruises, etc.

A lot of injuries could be avoided if:

a) A running clock was instituted; players getting so much rest inbetween plays allows them to perform at a higher level, conversely allowing them to get tired would decrease the strength of hit/tackles.

b) Banning helmets etc; Might seem counter-intuitive, but banning pads would mean players taking responsibility for their own protection, not leading with their heads.

[HarryCallahan]

Actually yeah dude. My friend played high school football and told me some horrific stories about being in human piles on a football field. People grabbing his balls, biting him, elbows, the whole 9. I think rugby is a tough ass sport though, if I lived in Europe or Australia you wouldn't catch me on a Rugby field, just like you don't catch me on a football field here in the US :D

Did not know that. I though that cups (boxes, protectors w/e) would've atleast stopped scrotum-grabbing.

In any case the number of times per game someone has this happen to them in Rugby is far higher than amfootball.

In my playing days I didn't play a single game where I wasn't stomped on atleast once. Not to mention eye-gouging.

[PHX_Phan]

A lot of injuries could be avoided if:

a) A running clock was instituted; players getting so much rest inbetween plays allows them to perform at a higher level, conversely allowing them to get tired would decrease the strength of hit/tackles.

b) Banning helmets etc; Might seem counter-intuitive, but banning pads would mean players taking responsibility for their own protection, not leading with their heads.

They probably could be, but that's not how the game is played.

And, do you really think the same thing that happens in scrums doesn't happen in football pile-ups? Not even just in pile-ups, the NFL recently went through a huge ordeal with teams setting up bounties to inflict injury on particular players to take them out of games. Plenty of dirty stuff happens in American football.

[Dbrog]

how can you see a receiver stop and go, keep his hands down til the last possible moment, then catch the ball and drag both of his feet to stay in bounds and sarcastically say wow?

Cause it simply isn't impressive skillwise. Athletically though? Stunning. NFL might have the best athletes in sports because that's basically what the game is. If you are more athletic than the other guy, you will have an extreme advantage in football. It's a body sport. Not many finesse skills are involved for the majority of the players...at least not to the extent that they are in other sports.

For instance, in basketball, you can be one of the best players in the league or THE BEST, but not be one of the most athletic (ie Bird, Dirk, Nash, Durant, oldman Kobe etc etc etc). Not as true for Football (though, in fairness, I have less knowledge of it). However, I do agree that the quarterback must have more than just athleticism. Meanwhile, soccer is a game that is almost entirely finesse and skillbased. To say they are less skilled is simply ridiculous.

[BrickingStar]

All the NFL fanboys have just taken over this thread.

Why is it so hard to comprehend that people have their own opinions on things? Many of us watch a lot of NFL (more than the average American) and we still believe its not the most physically demanding sport.

How is this an issue? Stop being so butthurt about someone else's opinion, how does it really affect you?

By the way I hate him but Christian Ronaldo is arguably the best athlete in the world.
Stop it, no one has even said that and you're the retard who asked this question "Also why do they have so much protection? Watch Australian football or rugby, they are just as rough, if not more and they wear nothing." Only someone ignorant to the sport would ask such a retarded question. And you are a disgrace to human intelligence calling CR7 the best athlete in the world nor do you even know what the definition of "athleticism" even means

[Rasheed1]

People in this thread who DONT have any idea what NFL football is about are trying to find different ways to undermine it :oldlol:

it takes extreme agility (not to mention timing with the QB) to run a 15 yd out without ever looking back for the football and then catch it at the last second and drag both feet to stay in bounds and complete the catch

its takes extremely good timing accuracy and trust to drop back in the pocket when you are 6 foot 200 lbs and guys coming at you from all angles are 6-3, 6-4, 6-5 270+ lbs.. a Qb has to drop back (with perfect timing) and throw a perfect pass to a receiver cutting across (or running a go route down the field) the field right on the numbers.

if he holds the ball too long? he gets crushed.... not just tackled.. but crushed


It takes extreme agility and speed and timing to simply return a kickoff for a touch down


there so many different aspects that occur on the field that require perfect timing and trust in your teammates and supreme athleticism... its totally ridiculous to see people try to act like its something easy or mundane... it isnt at all


Im not even going to get into coaching... coaching is 50Xs as important in the NFL than it is in a sport like the NBA ... In basketball there are only 5 players on a the court for a team at 1 time.. A guy like lebron can take over the whole game and change a the course of a franchise BY HIMSELF..

football isnt like that.. Its called the ultimate team sport for a for reason.. you have 11 guys working in concert on both sides of the field and if 1 guy makes a mistake or there is some kind of breakdown? it can cost you points.. and few breakdowns here and there can cost you the game...and there are only 16 games in a season... everything matters soo much more than most other sports... there is no 7 game series in football.. its 1 game in the playoffs...

Its the real definition of WIN OR GO HOME... you dont get a game 2 or 3

people need to actually understand what they are talking about before they come on argue with people who actually watch and understand football..

stop...

[daj0264]

Clearly I missed the O.

Christiano.

You happy now Mr Wiggins?



:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[miller-time]

It is largely just what you grow up with. I don't think the name has anything to do with it. American football is just not that interesting to the casual observer. But if you grow up with it or put time into learning the sport then I'm sure it'd be more popular. But then that is true for any sport.

[HarryCallahan]

They probably could be, but that's not how the game is played.

And, do you really think the same thing that happens in scrums doesn't happen in football pile-ups? Not even just in pile-ups, the NFL recently went through a huge ordeal with teams setting up bounties to inflict injury on particular players to take them out of games. Plenty of dirty stuff happens in American football.

I'm not saying dirty stuff doesn't happen, just not as much as other sports. American Football isn't even the toughest north American sport.

And c'mon man I've heard about "bountygate," whatchoo hink I live under a rock?

[joe]

Did not know that. I though that cups (boxes, protectors w/e) would've atleast stopped scrotum-grabbing.

In any case the number of times per game someone has this happen to them in Rugby is far higher than amfootball.

In my playing days I didn't play a single game where I wasn't stomped on atleast once. Not to mention eye-gouging.

I thought the same thing about the cups, but he told me a lot of players didn't wear them because they'd chaffe your legs up, or were restrictive and uncomfortable. He also told me when there would be a human pile and a fumble, sometimes players would stick their thumbs into the guys butt who has the ball to make him drop it. hahahahha. ****ing animals man.

I've never really watched Rugby, only once or twice. Seems like a pretty cool sport though. They have some badass uniforms, that's the main thing I took away because the strategy of it was completely foreign to me, lmao

[atljonesbro]

All the NFL fanboys have just taken over this thread.

Why is it so hard to comprehend that people have their own opinions on things? Many of us watch a lot of NFL (more than the average American) and we still believe its not the most physically demanding sport.

How is this an issue? Stop being so butthurt about someone else's opinion, how does it really affect you?

By the way I hate him but Christian Ronaldo is arguably the best athlete in the world.

He's slower than Adrian Peterson, weaker, less agile, not as big, can't jump as high or as far, and can't take as much punishment.

How is he the best athlete in the world lmao.

[qrich]

Skimmed through this thread, so I might be repeating some stuff, but I don't care.

The game isn't popular, not because of its name, but because of the amount of stoppages it contains. Some people just don't want to watch five seconds of action and wait half a minute to see another 5 seconds.

Plus if football/soccer had a stoppage of 5-35 seconds after the defender passed it to the midfield. And then again once a forward gets it. It would lose a ton of its popularity as well. Basketball has plenty of stoppages as well, but the action lasts more than a dozen seconds before most stoppages. Hockey has stoppages at goals and penalties, but is otherwise freeflowing. Football/soccer needs no explanation on the freeflowing by anyone who has watched it.

As far as money goes, why do European countries invest in hockey but not football? You need padding, just like the NFL, but on top of it, you need good ice as well. And to play football, all you need is a football and grass, you are good to go.

When it comes to athleticism, endurance plays a big part in it as well. Sprinting for 5 seconds, even while taking some major hits, can be viewed inferior by some to running around for 85 minutes with a fifteen minute break in between and some walking around but being able to make a last second sprint to get a tying or winning goal. And vice-versa, as has been proven by this thread.

[HarryCallahan]

I thought the same thing about the cups, but he told me a lot of players didn't wear them because they'd chaffe your legs up, or were restrictive and uncomfortable. He also told me when there would be a human pile and a fumble, sometimes players would stick their thumbs into the guys butt who has the ball to make him drop it. hahahahha. ****ing animals man.

I've never really watched Rugby, only once or twice. Seems like a pretty cool sport though. They have some badass uniforms, that's the main thing I took away because the strategy of it was completely foreign to me, lmao

Oh so you guys do that too?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Hopoate


During a 2001 clash with the Cowboys, Hopoate, in an attempt to unsettle several of his opponents, inserted his finger in three players' anuses,

Hopoate claimed in front of the panel of judges that he was simply attempting to give all three players "a wedgie" with his fingers, denying he had done anything wrong and that he was "a great believer in what happens on the field should stay there".[5]

The three victims in the case, Cowboys players Glenn Morrison, Peter Jones and Paul Bowman all disagreed with the reasoning put forward by Hopoate and his team. Jones stated, "It wasn't a wedgie. That's when your pants are pulled up your arse. I think I know the difference between a wedgie and someone sticking their finger up my bum", while Bowman stated that he was "disgusted" and "couldn't believe it."[6]

[deja vu]

Jim Brown would have played lacrosse for his playing career and just be the greatest lacrosse player ever.


if every NFL player and every soccer player on the planet all participated in a giant 100 M race the first 100 people to finish would all be from the NFL...

http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/mj-laughing.gif

[deja vu]

He's slower than Adrian Peterson, weaker, less agile, not as big, can't jump as high or as far, and can't take as much punishment.

How is he the best athlete in the world lmao.

Seriously?


Ronaldo was compared to Olympic sprint legend Usain Bolt after thundering 96 metres down the field for a counter-attack in just ten seconds, leading to many people claiming he would be of international athletics standards.

Source: http://www.givemefootball.com/198162-cristiano-ronaldo-challenged-to-100m-race-by-spanish-record-holder

[JtotheIzzo]

Its really boring. Plays go for 5-10 seconds at most and then there is a minimum of a 30 second break everytime. The stops are just insane, they spend 3/4 of the time doing nothing.

Also why do they have so much protection? Watch Australian football or rugby, they are just as rough, if not more and they wear nothing.

Another reason is that no one else in the world plays it, whilst almost every country in the world plays basketball.


Few arguments chap my ass more than this one because they are so wrong and so misguided and based on asinine simpletons making dumb observations without putting any real thought into it.

I played football in HS and played rugby in college as well as on teams overseas. Yes, rugby is a rough game, BUT IT IS NOT NEARLY AS HARD OR AS DANGEROUS AS FOOTBALL. The collisions in football are spectacularly more dangerous and harder.

Rugby is like long distance running, Football is like a series of sprints, the collisions when you sprint are much more violent.

Also, rugby players DO WEAR PROTECTION. You cannot watch a high level rugby game now without seeing a large majority of players wearing this:

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQGv1U8lyLIit7zYpoDLofiZqufBc0c0 DIxFqro9MTGN65hf7khQQ

And if anyone has any head trauma they need to wear one of these for the rest of their career.

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQU88qvLam2HqmTmOANiDJGD1guoCSsS t_onzeKKgLExwubZa-6tA

In the next decade I see both being mandatory, so yes my friends, rugby, as it continues its evolution into a real pro sport (Fact: Rugby Union was COMPLETELY AMATEUR UNTIL 1995). They are still making major changes to the 'laws' of the game as it deals with the reality of bigger, stronger, faster and professional players entering its ranks.

We will see even more changes, and more equipment as the speed ramps up and approaches football levels.

And don't brandish me a hater, I love Rugby Union, it is the sport I am second best at (besides hoops) but I also played HS football and a lot of my friends played in college, so I cannot deny reality.

Non-Americans like to take cheap shots at football, it is misguided and b*tchmade.

[Andrew Wiggins]

LJJ digging a hole :lol

You're coming off as an idiot. Maybe you don't respect the sport, but using the word marginal to describe the athletes just makes you come off as another idiot flinging turds.

We KNOW the athletes are superior to many sports in certain aspects because that is what the sport demands. You can look at physical numbers from the combine if you need further proof that they are top athletes regardless of where they are in the world.

You also overlook a huge factor in your 'logic.' The money. The NFL makes tons of money. Professional athletes tend to go where there is money. The sport doesn't have to be played all over the world if it's the biggest sport in one of the largest markets.

the way he's attempted to validate his retarded statements indicate that he's autistic. poor guy.

[-p.tiddy-]

Seriously?



Source: http://www.givemefootball.com/198162-cristiano-ronaldo-challenged-to-100m-race-by-spanish-record-holder

Lol...they compared him to Bolt on a soccer site because he made a fast run down the field

If Peterson and Ronaldo raced Peterson would absolutely burn him...the only race Ronaldo might win between the two is long distance and I'm not even sure he could win that, Peterson has good endurance.

[Balla_Status]

Been to a rugby game...watched Aussie Rules football...the tackling there vs. the tackling in American football is nowhere near the same.

They're both pretty cool but I don't find either really THAT entertaining. Aussie Rules just looks like a bunch of people playing grabass and kicking it up the field at random times. Takes a lot of endurance though.

[Balla_Status]

There's no talking to retards like you. A toddler can put forth a better argument than your dumb ass.

You make fun of the ability to catch a ball when soccer takes what skill.... ? Kicking a ****ing ball. My god that is just so much more impressive. At this point you better be trolling, otherwise you may want to get a brain scan, perhaps too many concussions. Well, congratulations for separating yourself from the dumbasses.

It was funny when football players came to soccer tryouts. Let's just say that.

Soccer does take more "skill" than football. I would tend to agree with that guy. Football relies much more on athleticism and just being huge more than anything. I like American football...

Also, Johnny ****ing Football is white and an incredible athlete. A better athlete than RGIII.

[Balla_Status]

Seriously? How about... arm strength, accuracy, footwork, field vision, ability to know and execute routes, body control, pass catching, blocking, tackling, punting, kicking, etc.

What a stupid ****ing question.

The only skill in there is throwing the ball and catching. The rest is intelligence and athleticism.

Add in punting and kicking too.

[Balla_Status]

They probably could be, but that's not how the game is played.

And, do you really think the same thing that happens in scrums doesn't happen in football pile-ups? Not even just in pile-ups, the NFL recently went through a huge ordeal with teams setting up bounties to inflict injury on particular players to take them out of games. Plenty of dirty stuff happens in American football.

Rugby Union sure...rugby league not so much.

[deja vu]

Lol...they compared him to Bolt on a soccer site because he made a fast run down the field

If Peterson and Ronaldo raced Peterson would absolutely burn him...the only race Ronaldo might win between the two is long distance and I'm not even sure he could win that, Peterson has good endurance.
LOL c'mon Ronaldo ran 96 meters in less than 10 seconds during the 77th minute of the game. Imagine if he was fresh? :lol Let Peterson run and jog for 77 minutes, let's see if he can still run as fast as Ronaldo. :lol

[B-hoop]

If you don't think the ginormous slave trade did anything to African Americans in terms of physicality then you are in denial...simple as that

most African Americans don't deny this and understand it...watch a Chris Rock stand up

and you're right, no point in arguing it with someone that pretends it didn't happen

:wtf:

You do know that the US isnt the only country that had african slaves right?

Brazil had triple the population of African slaves than the US, so we are the most athletic country in the world i guess...

Probably the reason why we are the best soccer team in the world too :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

Brazil 2014!

[B-hoop]

Now seriously, you can't compare the two sports in athleticism since the players are trained for two very different types of games. In soccer its a lot more important to be agile than strong, see Messi, Neymar, etc. Ball control and skill are supreme, speed and agility too. So the training regime is completely differente from football where the most important parts are explosiveness and strength.

That's why you will never see a good football player become a good soccer player, but you can see the opposite since skill with the soccer ball is very hard to obtain unless you train since you are young but strength can easily be gained in the weight room and with correct nutrition.

[-p.tiddy-]

:wtf:

You do know that the US isnt the only country that had african slaves right?

Brazil had triple the population of African slaves than the US, so we are the most athletic country in the world i guess...

Probably the reason why we are the best soccer team in the world too :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

Brazil 2014!
slave breeding was an enormous industry in the US, in fact at one point I believe it was the single biggest money maker in the country...I don't think it was like that for Brazil

However many of the US slaves escaped south to Mexico and South America/Brazil and Jamaica as well as...many of the "black latinos" down there are ancestors of US slaves...many South American MLB players like Sammy Sosa and such have US slave ancestors. I am sure there are plenty of 'black Brazilians" like that as well...I am sure Anderson Silva has slave ancestors

[Andrew Wiggins]

:wtf:

You do know that the US isnt the only country that had african slaves right?

Brazil had triple the population of African slaves than the US, so we are the most athletic country in the world i guess...

Probably the reason why we are the best soccer team in the world too :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

Brazil 2014!


no you're not

ranked 19th in the latest fifa rankings :roll:

[tomtucker]

On average, American football has only 11 minutes of action in 3 hours.

it really is fukking insane..........

[-p.tiddy-]

it really is fukking insane..........
that isn't even true...not sure where he got that

one quarter is 15 minutes long with clock stops during most breaks

[B-hoop]

slave breeding was an enormous industry in the US, in fact at one point I believe it was the single biggest money maker in the country...I don't think it was like that for Brazil

However many of the US slaves escaped south to Mexico and South America/Brazil and Jamaica as well as...many of the "black latinos" down there are ancestors of US slaves...many South American MLB players like Sammy Sosa and such have US slave ancestors. I am sure there are plenty of 'black Brazilians" like that as well...I am sure Anderson Silva has slave ancestors

LOL

Wtf dude do some internet research, Portugal was the biggest slave trader in the world and Brazil was its colony. For christ sake you think all black people in the South America are African American descendants? :facepalm

This is why most people hate americans, you dont know shit about what you are talking and act as if you know it all because America cant possibly be anything other than the best (in this case worse since we are talking about slavery here).

30% of Brazil's population in the 1800's was made of slaves. That's 1 million slaves in 1800. Do you know what was the american population in 1800? 5 million. So Brazil had as many slaves as 25% of the total american population in 1800.

Yea sure, our "black latinos" are descendants of african americans that came south :roll:

[-p.tiddy-]

LOL

Wtf dude do some internet research, Portugal was the biggest slave trader in the world and Brazil was its colony. For christ sake you think all black people in the South America are African American descendants? :facepalm

This is why most people hate americans, you dont know shit about what you are talking and act as if you know it all because America cant possibly be the best (in this case worse since we are talking about slavery here).

30% of Brazil's population in the 1800's was made of slaves. That's 1 million slaves in 1800. Do you know what was the american population in 1800? 5 million. So Brazil had as many slaves as 25% of the total american population in 1800.

Yea sure, our "black latinos" are descendants of african americans that came south :roll:
I said "many escaped to the south..."...not all, read mfer shit

again, I don't think it was as big of an industry as the US...but I am sure many of the best athletes there can be traced to slave breeding if it was that huge

[-p.tiddy-]

perhaps South American Africans are equal in terms of physical dominance, I do think Jamaicans are...but the Lebrons and Calvin Johnsons of the world have US roots

[B-hoop]

How the hell can it not be as big of an industry when the country was simply the biggest slave buyer in the world?

When 30% of its total population was made of slaves?

Of course Lebron and Calvin are african american slaves i never said otherwise. You said America had the best athletes because of the african slave trade, i am showing you Brazil had an even bigger slave trade so logically by your own arguments we must be the most athletic country in the world.

The appearance of more athletic players in the US is easily explained by infraestructure and a strong sports culture in schools and colleges. In Brazil our freak athletes are working men and probably uneducated so they never had the chance play a sport professionally. Why do you think that MMA is dominated by Brazil? Its a sport that demands no education to enter it and its cheap to practice. Read about brazilian MMA athletes, all of them have a poor background, and i dont mean american poor where they still have a house, internet, tv, etc. I mean dirt poor where they earn less than a dollar per day.

[B-hoop]

no you're not

ranked 19th in the latest fifa rankings :roll:

Yea quote we when you become a five time world champion please
:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[-p.tiddy-]

How the hell can it not be as big of an industry when the country was simply the biggest slave buyer in the world?

When 30% of its total population was made of slaves?

Of course Lebron and Calvin are african american slaves i never said otherwise. You said America had the best athletes because of the african slave trade, i am showing you Brazil had an even bigger slave trade so logically by your own arguments we must be the most athletic country in the world.

The appearance of more athletic players in the US is easily explained by infraestructure and a strong sports culture in schools and colleges. In Brazil our freak athletes are working men and probably uneducated so they never had the chance play a sport professionally. Why do you think that MMA is dominated by Brazil? Its a sport that demands no education to enter it and its cheap to practice. Read about brazilian MMA athletes, all of them have a poor background, and i dont mean american poor where they still have a house, internet, tv, etc. I mean dirt poor where they earn less than a dollar per day.
I am agreeing that South America in general could have equal athletes yes...but I was saying that I didn't think it was as big of an industry in brazil because I don't think it was nearly as big money wise $$$...

I agree 100% that many of the athletes in Brazil and all of South America for that matter probably didn't have opportunities like US players because of money/economic reasons


all in all I pretty much just agree with you...

[B-hoop]

Again, Brazil was a richer colony than the american colony in the early 1700's when slave trade was the big thing. We got left behind when the US became independent and started industrializing, a thing we couldnt do since Portugal prohibited any industry in Brazil until 1808 when the Portuguese king came to live in Brazil.

So yes, our slave market was bigger $$wise than the US. The US only had slaves in the south, we had slaves all over the country.

Salvador, the city i live in, is 80% black (its the biggest black city outside of Africa) and it has a population of 4 million people.

[-p.tiddy-]

Again, Brazil was a richer colony than the american colony in the early 1700's when slave trade was the big thing. We got left behind when the US became independent and started industrializing, a thing we couldnt do since Portugal prohibited any industry in Brazil until 1808 when the Portuguese king came to live in Brazil.

So yes, our slave market was bigger $$wise than the US. The US only had slaves in the south, we had slaves all over the country.

Salvador, the city i live in, is 80% black (its the biggest black city outside of Africa) and it has a population of 4 million people.
Okay, well in terms of physical freak genes perhaps Brazil is number 1, I'm not saying you're wrong.

I am sure that with a great economy and training Brazil could produce some amazing NFL teams/players

[KingBeasley08]

Also, Johnny ****ing Football is white and an incredible athlete. A better athlete than RGIII.
:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[KingBeasley08]

and NFL shits on boring ass soccer. just another reason why the USA is the GOAT country I guess

[ace23]

It's a bunch of marginal athletes on steroids running into each other in between commercials.
/credibility :roll:

[ace23]

It's easy to explain I think.

Football is, in a basic form, a variation of an already established popular worldwide sport.

Whereas basketball was a novel, truly original sport.
If you're suggesting that football is a variation of soccer, I'd say that basketball is actually a more similar sport.

[ace23]

It's just facts and common sense here. Scale matters. If you have a sport that is practiced by 50000 people and compare it to a sport that is practiced by 50 million people, the latter will have superior athletes. No reason to get butt hurt over that.
:oldlol: What a terrible argument.

Who tend to be better athletes, baseball players or boxers? Table tennis players or swimmers? Badminton players or wrestlers?

GTFO dude. :lol

[RedBlackAttack]

I think the problem and hurdle that many Europeans face is that they view American football through the lens of soccer (for the purposes of this discussion so we can distinguish), rugby and even Aussie football. The truth is, while those sports are all relatively similar in that there is non-stop action and no stops, American football is a completely, totally different game.

Every single person on an American football field is 100-percent specialized to play that exact position. They have probably been playing that very specific position their entire lives and wouldn't even know what to do if they were placed elsewhere. That is part of the brilliance of it, though.

I say this with no malice toward soccer (a game that I do appreciate), but it (soccer) is checkers compared to football's chess. On a chess board, you have certain pieces that can only move certain ways and do certain things.

Coaches have total control of what happens on a football field and, if they have one guy out of place or call a blitz at the wrong time, it can cost them the game.... Just like making one tiny mistake on the chess board can be the end.

I think you have to learn to look at American football with fresh eyes and don't compare to other sports, because it is totally unique. There may be significant time in between plays, but that is only because every play is of so much importance. It is incredibly tactical... Like war without the deaths.

Also, the time between the plays allows players to go 100% on every snap, as opposed to nonstop running, which will obviously wear on you in a different way. You are not going to be able to unleash the kind of incredible hit on someone after running for an hour nonstop the way you can with breaks after each play, nor can you run as fast, be as physical, etc.

Comparing rugby or futbol to American football is like comparing a marathon to a sprint.

That's my take.

[Balla_Status]

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

I've watched both in college. RGIII was nowhere near as shifty as Johnny Manziel when it came to avoiding sacks.

[KingBeasley08]

I've watched both in college. RGIII was nowhere near as shifty as Johnny Manziel when it came to avoiding sacks.
Manziel is barely 200 pounds. RG3s faster and 225

[Balla_Status]

Manziel is barely 200 pounds. RG3s faster and 225

Cool. Texas A&M defense dominated the **** out of RG3 at Baylor because they used Johnny Manziel as the scout QB in practice. They said RG3 was easier to get a hold of and had a much harder time in containing Johnny.

[HarryCallahan]

I think the problem and hurdle that many Europeans face is that they view American football through the lens of soccer (for the purposes of this discussion so we can distinguish), rugby and even Aussie football. The truth is, while those sports are all relatively similar in that there is non-stop action and no stops, American football is a completely, totally different game.

Every single person on an American football field is 100-percent specialized to play that exact position. They have probably been playing that very specific position their entire lives and wouldn't even know what to do if they were placed elsewhere. That is part of the brilliance of it, though.

I say this with no malice toward soccer (a game that I do appreciate), but it (soccer) is checkers compared to football's chess. On a chess board, you have certain pieces that can only move certain ways and do certain things.

Coaches have total control of what happens on a football field and, if they have one guy out of place or call a blitz at the wrong time, it can cost them the game.... Just like making one tiny mistake on the chess board can be the end.

I think you have to learn to look at American football with fresh eyes and don't compare to other sports, because it is totally unique. There may be significant time in between plays, but that is only because every play is of so much importance. It is incredibly tactical... Like war without the deaths.

Also, the time between the plays allows players to go 100% on every snap, as opposed to nonstop running, which will obviously wear on you in a different way. You are not going to be able to unleash the kind of incredible hit on someone after running for an hour nonstop the way you can with breaks after each play, nor can you run as fast, be as physical, etc.

Comparing rugby or futbol to American football is like comparing a marathon to a sprint.

That's my take.


Well said. I still thinks it's bs for a 60min game to take 5hours to play.

[KingBeasley08]

Cool. Texas A&M defense dominated the **** out of RG3 at Baylor because they used Johnny Manziel as the scout QB in practice. They said RG3 was easier to get a hold of and had a much harder time in containing Johnny.
college :sleeping

RG3's game actually translates to the pros. Why? Cuz he's athletic

[Balla_Status]

college :sleeping

RG3's game actually translates to the pros. Why? Cuz he's athletic

Yeah...you're an idiot if you don't think Johnny can play in the pros.

[KingBeasley08]

Yeah...you're an idiot if you don't think Johnny can play in the pros.
im sure he can play but I doubt he can ball


dudes 6'1 200 pounds. needs to start bulking up

[Jackass18]

I like the tactics of football, I understand it because I'm American but compared to sports like basketball and soccer (THE ENGLISH INVENTED THAT WORD, GET OVER IT EUROSNOBS) it is too slow paced and dull. I like watching the playoffs and superbowl, that's it.

Football is dull compared to soccer? That's the direct opposite of reality.


It's harder to get into a sport when you don't understand it, and there's a lot of shit you have to learn for football to really understand it. When your country doesn't really have anyone playing at a high level in that sport, then it makes it harder for you to cheer for it. And of course, the expenses of playing the sport. I don't really care if it's not hugely popular around the world. It's doing just fine here and that's what matters to me.

[Jackass18]

Never knew eugenics was still so in fashion these days.

American Football, a sport that is played in really only one country in the world (where it's just one of many popular sports), a sport that a handful people around the world practice professionally and sport that only about 5% of the world population is exposed to of course still has the absolute elite athletes in the world.

:rolleyes:

Because they're American, right? And the "American race" is inherently more athletic than the rest of the planet?

:rolleyes:

Please. That's the most ridiculous thing I ever heard, you guys need a dose of reality.

Remind me how well India does in the Olympics. Do you think all countries put as much money and training into their sports like the US? Not all countries are equal. Not all sports require the level of athleticism as others do. Your talent pool argument is flawed especially since it's the only argument you're even attempting.

[Jackass18]

This is why most people hate americans, you dont know shit about what you are talking and act as if you know it all because America cant possibly be anything other than the best (in this case worse since we are talking about slavery here).

People hate Americans because of ignorant generalizations they make about them? That says a lot more about them than it does about Americans.

[lefthook00]

There simply isn't anyone in soccer with this combination of speed, agility, balance, power, jumping ability, and explosiveness, with that kind of size.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3cs9fT_CnM

Or this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EP0_mDhn2RA

Similary ancestry, if they aren't playing one, they're playing the other.

[PHX_Phan]

Lol at the reactions in this thread. Americans just think their shit doesn't stink and have the best of everything. Definitely has nothing to do with the fact that athleticism is the top priority in the NFL. I wonder if any of these guys saying this have ever seen a combine?

I remember when I tried comparing real world statistics of NFL players to Rugby players, and found that I had to do a good amount of digging to find anything on top Rugby players other than size and weight. A lot of those guys don't even have any sort of official stats posted. That alone tells me that Rugby does not focus as much attention on athletic ability as the NFL. Do a search on even some of the most obscure names in pro football and you will easily find out their speed, strength and jumping height.

Rugby is more skill-oriented. You can't take a freak athlete and turn him into a great Rugby player like you could in the NFL.

[Jackass18]

You can't exactly take a freak athlete and turn him into a football player either. Brock Lesnar failed to make an NFL team and he even played football in high school.

[HarryCallahan]

Lol at the reactions in this thread. Americans just think their shit doesn't stink and have the best of everything. Definitely has nothing to do with the fact that athleticism is the top priority in the NFL. I wonder if any of these guys saying this have ever seen a combine?

I remember when I tried comparing real world statistics of NFL players to Rugby players, and found that I had to do a good amount of digging to find anything on top Rugby players other than size and weight. A lot of those guys don't even have any sort of official stats posted. That alone tells me that Rugby does not focus as much attention on athletic ability as the NFL. Do a search on even some of the most obscure names in pro football and you will easily find out their speed, strength and jumping height.

Rugby is more skill-oriented. You can't take a freak athlete and turn him into a great Rugby player like you could in the NFL.

Good point. In the NFL your role is pretty much limited to one thing; Quarterback throws, WR runs/catches, punters punt, fg kickers kick fgs. So being effective in your area requires you to be bigger (linemen), faster (WR),better change of direction (running back) etc. Rugby and soccer are all round games that require you to be proficient in a large number of things, rather than being elite at one thing.

[Balla_Status]

im sure he can play but I doubt he can ball


dudes 6'1 200 pounds. needs to start bulking up

Russell Wilson says hi

Johnny Manziel is the ****ing man. 6' 1" 200 lbs. Sure he could gain a little weight if he needed to but his agility gives him the ability to make the plays that wins game. If he bulks up? Who knows.

Plus Manziel is only 20 and won the heisman was a redshirt freshman. He's got time brotha.

[Balla_Status]

Lol at the reactions in this thread. Americans just think their shit doesn't stink and have the best of everything. Definitely has nothing to do with the fact that athleticism is the top priority in the NFL. I wonder if any of these guys saying this have ever seen a combine?

I remember when I tried comparing real world statistics of NFL players to Rugby players, and found that I had to do a good amount of digging to find anything on top Rugby players other than size and weight. A lot of those guys don't even have any sort of official stats posted. That alone tells me that Rugby does not focus as much attention on athletic ability as the NFL. Do a search on even some of the most obscure names in pro football and you will easily find out their speed, strength and jumping height.

Rugby is more skill-oriented. You can't take a freak athlete and turn him into a great Rugby player like you could in the NFL.

Carlin Isles says hi. He's been touted as the FASTEST rugby play OF ALL TIME. And guess what? He's american and black.

He played american football for awhile...and now plays Rugby sevens. He's without a doubt the fastest rugby player of all time. If you've ever seen him play, if he gets just a little bit of space. Forget about it. That's a try guaranteed. Of course only one of him being like that isn't enough to win the world championship against teams like SA, New Zealand and Australia but imagine seven of him playing in the rugby sevens. They'd wreck shop dude.

http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/fasted-rugby-player-carlin-isles.jpg

[HarryCallahan]

Carlin Isles says hi. He's been touted as the FASTEST rugby play OF ALL TIME. And guess what? He's american and black.

He played american football for awhile...and now plays Rugby sevens. He's without a doubt the fastest rugby player of all time. If you've ever seen him play, if he gets just a little bit of space. Forget about it. That's a try guaranteed. Of course only one of him being like that isn't enough to win the world championship against teams like SA, New Zealand and Australia but imagine seven of him playing in the rugby sevens. They'd wreck shop dude.

http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/fasted-rugby-player-carlin-isles.jpg

Pay attention to the following emoticon: :rolleyes:

[Nick Young]

6'7" 287 lb Julius Peppers

http://www.mtrmedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/julius-peppers.jpg

http://cdn1.sbnation.com/imported_assets/741681/julius-peppers.jpg
They're different kind of athletes specializing in different things.

Julius Peppers would be winded and finished halfway through a rugby match, he couldn't last 90 minutes running 12 KM.

It's like marathon runners vs sprinters-who is the better athlete? Who is tougher? It's foolish to compare athletes in different sports.

If American football players didn't wear pads, they would simply not do the same type of tackles and hits that they do now while covered in padding.


ALSO, the game just gets boring in low stakes regular season matches. Who wants to waste time watching the Cleveland Browns vs the Miami dolphins go 3 and out 3 and out 3 and out every drive with a 3 minute commercial break in between and a 5 minute break between each quarter? It is boring as shit.

[sommervilleCdn]

[IMG]http://img594.imageshack.us/img594/3558/heyitsbrady.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/594/heyitsbrady.jpg/)

click play mofuk@s (wanted to recycle this vid, because it seemed relevant).. this video is a blast http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Zce-QT7MGSE

/who in their right minds want to watch cleveland browns play anyways? except for their insufferable fans :D
:banana:

[sommervilleCdn]

It's a bunch of marginal athletes on steroids running into each other in between commercials.


tl;dr , nice troll
http://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/sports-moments-captured-timed-3.jpg

[waseem780]

I used to play American fooball as a 4th grade kid in the dirt,snow,ice and sometimes rain with highschoolers .. memories.

[KingBeasley08]

Russell Wilson says hi

Johnny Manziel is the ****ing man. 6' 1" 200 lbs. Sure he could gain a little weight if he needed to but his agility gives him the ability to make the plays that wins game. If he bulks up? Who knows.

Plus Manziel is only 20 and won the heisman was a redshirt freshman. He's got time brotha.
Even Russell is shorter and a solid 6 pounds heavier. But I hear you, dude's a college sophmore/redshirt freshman. He'll bulk up at least 10 pounds before the NFL I think

[-p.tiddy-]

Carlin Isles says hi. He's been touted as the FASTEST rugby play OF ALL TIME. And guess what? He's american and black.

He played american football for awhile...and now plays Rugby sevens. He's without a doubt the fastest rugby player of all time. If you've ever seen him play, if he gets just a little bit of space. Forget about it. That's a try guaranteed. Of course only one of him being like that isn't enough to win the world championship against teams like SA, New Zealand and Australia but imagine seven of him playing in the rugby sevens. They'd wreck shop dude.

http://www.totalprosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/fasted-rugby-player-carlin-isles.jpg


the fastest rugby player of all time is African American?

this should be a shock to no one except LJJ

[Balla_Status]

the fastest rugby player of all time is African American?

this should be a shock to no one except LJJ

No shit. Look up his highlights on youtube. He absolutely smokes everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gA5bwqVN5LM

[ace23]

Lol at the reactions in this thread. Americans just think their shit doesn't stink and have the best of everything. Definitely has nothing to do with the fact that athleticism is the top priority in the NFL. I wonder if any of these guys saying this have ever seen a combine?

I remember when I tried comparing real world statistics of NFL players to Rugby players, and found that I had to do a good amount of digging to find anything on top Rugby players other than size and weight. A lot of those guys don't even have any sort of official stats posted. That alone tells me that Rugby does not focus as much attention on athletic ability as the NFL. Do a search on even some of the most obscure names in pro football and you will easily find out their speed, strength and jumping height.

Rugby is more skill-oriented. You can't take a freak athlete and turn him into a great Rugby player like you could in the NFL.

Which is exactly why LJJ needs to shut the **** up about NFL players being marginal athletes. Thanks for proving our point.

[Vragrant]

ESPN ranked the toughest sports in the world today based on metrics such as

power
speed
agility
endurance
flexibility
nerve(ability to overcome fear)
durability
hand/eye coordination
analytic aptitude

NFL is ranked #3 (boxing ranked #1).

Soccer ranked #10 and Rugby ranked #13.

Link
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills?sort=total_rank#grid

[-p.tiddy-]

ESPN ranked the toughest sports in the world today based on metrics such as

power
speed
agility
endurance
flexibility
nerve(ability to overcome fear)
durability
hand/eye coordination
analytic aptitude

NFL is ranked #3 (boxing ranked #1).

Soccer ranked #10 and Rugby ranked #13.

Link
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills?sort=total_rank#grid


I agree with boxing being #1...or just "fighting" in general, MMA could be #1 as well

"fighting" uses every single facet of athleticism...

-speed
-endurance
-size
-strength
-agility
-coordination
-etc
-etc
-etc

you name it...you need absolutely ALL of it to box/fight

after that though it is the NFL, that is complete BS that hockey would be above the NFL, they don't even have to jump...

[johndeeregreen]

after that though it is the NFL, that is complete BS that hockey would be above the NFL, they don't even have to jump...
That's pretty flimsy reasoning.

In actual fact I agree with you about NFL > hockey in terms of athleticism, but "they don't jump" is a horrible argument and it's definitely a lot closer than you seem to think. That's like saying basketball > hockey because they jump. Like really?

[-p.tiddy-]

That's pretty flimsy reasoning.

In actual fact I agree with you about NFL > hockey in terms of athleticism, but "they don't jump" is a horrible argument and it's definitely a lot closer than you seem to think. That's like saying basketball > hockey because they jump. Like really?
I wasn't trying to claim that was the sole reason or even the main reason...just something that came to mind.

[HarryCallahan]

ESPN ranked the toughest sports in the world today based on metrics such as

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills?sort=total_rank#grid

Stopped reading there.

[Timmy D for MVP]

I can't believe that this thread is still going and has gotten off topic like this...

And that's on ISH. I guess inciting the NFL stans is a sure fire thing.

[MetsPackers]

The NFL is a tiny professional sport. Tiny.

How many professional American Football players are there compared to other sports?

If there is any term to properly describe the NFL as a sport, marginal would be it. Marginal athletes, marginal talents, marginal entertainment value, marginal everything.

LMAOO so many ignorant statements in one post :roll: :roll:

[deja vu]

tl;dr , nice troll
http://thechive.files.wordpress.com/2013/02/sports-moments-captured-timed-3.jpg
So these fat guys are your typical NFL player? :roll:

[lefthook00]

So these fat guys are your typical NFL player? :roll:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyB5f5QBd5k

:eek:

[Psileas]

ESPN ranked the toughest sports in the world today based on metrics such as

power
speed
agility
endurance
flexibility
nerve(ability to overcome fear)
durability
hand/eye coordination
analytic aptitude

NFL is ranked #3 (boxing ranked #1).

Soccer ranked #10 and Rugby ranked #13.

Link
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/sportSkills?sort=total_rank#grid

When we rank the "toughest" sports, there's no way we should apply the same value to all categories. We know damn well that sports like bull riding or canoe/kayak or cheerleading are way tougher than volleyball or baseball. It's not just the all-around athleticism required. Just consider the possibility of getting seriously injured due to playing some of the former and compare to the latter...

[johndeeregreen]

When we rank the "toughest" sports, there's no way we should apply the same value to all categories. We know damn well that sports like bull riding or canoe/kayak or cheerleading are way tougher than volleyball or baseball. It's not just the all-around athleticism required. Just consider the possibility of getting seriously injured due to playing some of the former and compare to the latter...
Forget bull riding, bareback is even more violent during the ride. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qv4Eo5MtW0) The biggest danger in bull riding come on the dismount, as a horse won't try to maul you, but bulls are a different story.

[ace23]

It's not just the all-around athleticism required.
Well, that's what they meant.

There are obviously dozens of ways "toughness" of a sport can be interpreted.

[ace23]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PyB5f5QBd5k

:eek:
That was closer to 6 flat than 4.6.

[Jackass18]

ALSO, the game just gets boring in low stakes regular season matches.

If you understand it (including the strategies) and enjoy it, then it's very far from boring. Low stakes? Teams only have 16 regular season games, so every game is important unlike baseball, hockey and basketball where every team plays a million games.


Who wants to waste time watching the Cleveland Browns vs the Miami dolphins go 3 and out 3 and out 3 and out every drive with a 3 minute commercial break in between and a 5 minute break between each quarter? It is boring as shit.

Unless you're a Browns or Dolphins fan you'd probably be watching a different game at that time.

[nightprowler10]

I think one reason is because you can play basketball pretty easy yourself while you need a lot of equipment, knowledge, people for AF. I think that's the main reason why soccer is so popular all over the world.
Good point. I feel this has been a big hindrance to cricket as well.

[pinhead]

It will still be overweight jackasses touching each other's asses whatever it was called. Oh, and also extremely boring.

[joe]

Professional wrestling is a tougher sport than either football or rugby. All of those dudes are torn apart physically, let alone the constant travel, no off season, etc etc.