So, as an American (though really, a few of my more international friends have noticed it to), its getting rather tiring to see the argument over whether Rugby or (American) Football is tougher. So I figured I'd ask (hey, its the Super Bowl, I'm in a sporting mood), what the toughest Sport is.
Disclaimer, did not include things like boxing or mixed martial arts because the entire point of that is beating the hell out of the other guy. This is talking purely about sports where the point is NOT to purposely injure the other person.
I think its Hockey. Seriously, I do. You're skating around at break neck speeds, on a single, VERY thin blade (per foot), and you're wielding a stick. Players get concussions that put them out for entire season, you play more rapidly, and you can get hit without even having the puck. Men can get slammed in the face with a puck, have to have an entire facial reconstruction, and get torn open just through a bare knuckle hockey fight or with the stick.
To add a personal touch to it, I know I've been injured and have injured people. One story I can tell where both instances involved the same guy. I was ijured when our team was injured, and the defenseman on the other team got sick of it and just used his stick like a sword and just cleaved into my side. it cracked a rib, bruised three more and cut into me, needing me to have ten stitches. So after I healed and went back out the same thing happened, where my team was winning and the same kid tried to do the same thing. So instead I stopped him and drove my stick into his helmet, trying ot knock him back down with a concussion and accidentally caught him beneath his helmet and caused some brain damage.
Also, kinda like a side note, my Captcha said Hanson weasy. Just thought that was kinda funny.
EDIT:
A second question was posed that I find kinda interesting. What Sport has the toughest players/competitors/whatever you'd like to call them?
I'd have to say Fencers. Why? Cause I've had personal experience in that, but before I go there, I'll say this. Ever seen what a Fencer sees? its a Sword. Pointed at you. With the intent to hit you with it. And can kill you. I think the fact alone none of them shit themsleves is impressive on its own.
As to my personal experience, you should try fencing without the suits or padded equipment, without a tipped rapier. I have. Its not fun, and the scar I have on my leg where my friend pretty much drove his rapier through it is proof enough (especially since he almost neutered me).
EDIT2:
It was brought to my attention that when hockey was being read, people thought it was field hockey. Well, I was thinking Ice hockey, but I've seen field hockey being played, so it could be either. If you play deck hockey, or just hockey on roller skates) its still as tough, there's just easier balance (but thats debatable on the level of Rugby Vs. American Football). So hockey is just the general summing up term, but if you pick hockey, feel free to specify. That why the choice is edited to look like it is, which hopefully helps
EDIT3:
The question of what is meant by toughness has come up. Toughness has no set definition, cause this was mainly just a thread about trying to answer the debate between whats tougher Rugby or American Football. So toughness is at the discretion of the poster and what you think is the toughest sport by how ever you judge toughness
Disclaimer, did not include things like boxing or mixed martial arts because the entire point of that is beating the hell out of the other guy. This is talking purely about sports where the point is NOT to purposely injure the other person.
I think its Hockey. Seriously, I do. You're skating around at break neck speeds, on a single, VERY thin blade (per foot), and you're wielding a stick. Players get concussions that put them out for entire season, you play more rapidly, and you can get hit without even having the puck. Men can get slammed in the face with a puck, have to have an entire facial reconstruction, and get torn open just through a bare knuckle hockey fight or with the stick.
To add a personal touch to it, I know I've been injured and have injured people. One story I can tell where both instances involved the same guy. I was ijured when our team was injured, and the defenseman on the other team got sick of it and just used his stick like a sword and just cleaved into my side. it cracked a rib, bruised three more and cut into me, needing me to have ten stitches. So after I healed and went back out the same thing happened, where my team was winning and the same kid tried to do the same thing. So instead I stopped him and drove my stick into his helmet, trying ot knock him back down with a concussion and accidentally caught him beneath his helmet and caused some brain damage.
Also, kinda like a side note, my Captcha said Hanson weasy. Just thought that was kinda funny.
EDIT:
A second question was posed that I find kinda interesting. What Sport has the toughest players/competitors/whatever you'd like to call them?
I'd have to say Fencers. Why? Cause I've had personal experience in that, but before I go there, I'll say this. Ever seen what a Fencer sees? its a Sword. Pointed at you. With the intent to hit you with it. And can kill you. I think the fact alone none of them shit themsleves is impressive on its own.
As to my personal experience, you should try fencing without the suits or padded equipment, without a tipped rapier. I have. Its not fun, and the scar I have on my leg where my friend pretty much drove his rapier through it is proof enough (especially since he almost neutered me).
EDIT2:
It was brought to my attention that when hockey was being read, people thought it was field hockey. Well, I was thinking Ice hockey, but I've seen field hockey being played, so it could be either. If you play deck hockey, or just hockey on roller skates) its still as tough, there's just easier balance (but thats debatable on the level of Rugby Vs. American Football). So hockey is just the general summing up term, but if you pick hockey, feel free to specify. That why the choice is edited to look like it is, which hopefully helps
EDIT3:
The question of what is meant by toughness has come up. Toughness has no set definition, cause this was mainly just a thread about trying to answer the debate between whats tougher Rugby or American Football. So toughness is at the discretion of the poster and what you think is the toughest sport by how ever you judge toughness
