International Opinion of American Football

[ygetoff]

(Note: Please do not make serious comments on which variety of football is the "true" football, because we all know that it's the American kind because I actually want a semi-serious discussion. Jokes about the name are fine, though)

As a fan and player of the American-style football, I was wondering what the international members of The Escapist have to say about it. American members are also free to comment on the "other football" (soccer in American). Also, I can answer any questions international members have about American football if you want to ask. As an aside, please do not flame fans of either sport, even though the American kind is manlier (kidding!).

 

[the_pleasure_is_mine]

It seems to be rugby except you are allowed to kick the ball.

It looks okay. Don't see anything wrong with it.

And logically 'Soccer' should be 'true' football.

As it's kicking a round ball with your foot...

 

[zHellas]

And logically 'Soccer' should be 'true' football.

As it's kicking a round ball with your foot...

But that's a description, not a name.

 

[the_pleasure_is_mine]

But that's a description, not a name.

Is that not one the word 'football' is?

It's a name that's also a description.

 

[krimson_dropz]

It seems to be rugby except you are allowed to kick the ball.

It looks okay. Don't see anything wrong with it.

And logically 'Soccer' should be 'true' football.

As it's kicking a round ball with your foot...

who ever accused humans of being logical especially(ok mabey specifically) in our arbitrary naming of things.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

The true answer.

Spoiler: This is Football

Spoiler: This is soccer

GET IT RIGHT FOLKS!

 

[ygetoff]

It seems fine enough, as sports go. It does seem a bit wimpy compared to rugby though, as rugby players don't wear any protective gear beyond a mouthguard. Still, doesn't really matter, they're different games.

See, now I always thought that was because Rugby players did less in the way of actively smashing into each other every 10 seconds the way American football players do. Is that true?

 

[El Poncho]

I don't like how it stops and starts, stops and starts and then sometimes cuts back to some place when they stop for a while.

 

[AfterAscon]

I find watching full matches of American football to be so incredibly boring. The super bowl is a prime example, where it takes about 3 hours for less than an hour of play (I say less than because the clock can countdown even when they're just standing on the field doing nothing).

Other than that I find the highlights very enjoyable to watch.

American football = Handegg. I'll let someone else post the picture

 

[newfoundsky]

But that's a description, not a name.

Is that not one the word 'football' is?

It's a name that's also a description.

It is no more a name than the Great Salt Lake is a name. Wait. . .

 

[Amphoteric]

I think Its kind of a pansy game. You wear BODY ARMOUR while rugby players(An equally violent game) Wear almost no protective clothing.

Does any other country take American Football Seriously?

 

[the_pleasure_is_mine]

It is no more a name than the Great Salt Lake is a name. Wait. . .

I still stand by my original point!

... does anyone remember my original point?

Something about waffles I think.

 

[KeyMaster45]

I've never been a big football fan to be honest, oh sure it was fun to gather with the family and watch the games on Sunday but it was never very exciting for me (well except for that one play in the superbowl last year that was like a gift of awesome from god himself)

Then I did two weeks in London with my university which started the weekend of the first World Cup game. Oddly enough I found soccer to be far more entertaining than football especially when watching it in a pub.

(note the only reason I'm calling one football and the other soccer is because to do otherwise confuses the ever loving bejebus out of me)

 

[Evil the White]

The true answer.

Spoiler: This is Football

Spoiler: This is soccer

GET IT RIGHT FOLKS!

That is all.

 

[SimuLord]

It seems fine enough, as sports go. It does seem a bit wimpy compared to rugby though, as rugby players don't wear any protective gear beyond a mouthguard. Still, doesn't really matter, they're different games.

See, now I always thought that was because Rugby players did less in the way of actively smashing into each other every 10 seconds the way American football players do. Is that true?

Ask Carlos Spencer of New Zealand, who got his jaw broken in a rugby match, came back six weeks later, got that jaw broken AGAIN, but didn't come off the field until half time 20 minutes later (and scored a try---rugby's answer to a touchdown---WITH A BROKEN JAW.)

There is no badass in the NFL who would even rank in the top 100 ruggers on the Chuck Norris Scale of Badass.

 

[Aedes]

Well... I don't believe I any right to judge the sport due to my total lack of knowledge of the rules. So I find it rather confusing.

Fouls happends all the time so the game is halted every ten seconds or less, and by my standards, that's boring. I like more "continuous" sports, you see.
Also, the scores bugs me. Sometimes it's 6, others it's 2 and yadda yadda... I know nothing about the used terms so hearing the game is just as confusing as watching.

Also, when is the foot used?! It just can't be called football for nothing.

(Note: Please do not make serious comments on which variety of football is the "true" football, because we all know that it's the American kind because I actually want a semi-serious discussion. Jokes about the name are fine, though)

And with that in my defence, I think the sport should be renamed to Hand Eggball!
Or Heggball. That would also work.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

The true answer.

Spoiler: This is Football

Spoiler: This is soccer

GET IT RIGHT FOLKS!

That is all.

The brits use their way. And we'll use ours.